1916 - France

John Adams spent the first part of 1916 in the trenches in France.

Tuesday 11 January, 1916  by

France: “I do not believe the Germans has made the bullet that is to kill me yet.”

BEF Somewhere in France
11.01.16

My Dear Mother

Just a few lines hoping this will find you and all at home in your usual good health as this leaves me in the same here at present. I cannot understand how it was that you have got no letters from me so long as Annie PC says for there I not a week passes that I do not write home, and there must be some mistake that you do not get them. I think this is the third letter that I wrote since Xmas and Annie says that you have got none of them. But you may have got them before this. I hope you are got all right again yourself. I was very sorry to hear that you were so bad with pains but it has been a very severe winter all though. But thank Goodness it has cleared up at last and it’s getting like Spring out here now. I think it comes sooner here than in Ireland.

We are on our way once more to the trenches and have arrived in a little village a short distance of the Firing Line which I expect we shall be in by the time you get this. But do not be in the least alarmed as for our safety as I do not believe the Germans has made the bullet that is to kill me yet at least I believe so at any rate. I had a letter from Jennie and she said also that she had a letter from you tell her that you got no letters from me and also that she had none from me either, and I do wonder where they are going. I believe Mr Chambers and Archer is leaving Holywood to go to America to make there fortunes it is a wonderful thing to be going to do and this terrible war going on. They will have plenty of time for that when this war is over. For I think there will be few men left after it is over the way it is going.

Tell Jimmy I am sorry for anything I said in my last letter. I do not mean all I say but I believe I write home as often as I get any from it. Sometimes I think that youse forget about me out here. You may think long not to get a letter form me but its worst on us out here when we do not hear from home. For at home youse are all there together and in a civilized world. While we are not. And only through letters can we know how things are going on at home. So do not get on to me too much when you as not get a letter from me when you know that I have written.

We are still together and are with J. McCullough who is from Bessbrook and we had a great Xmas together. For we got all sorts of parcels the three of us and the way we messed together they lasted for a long time. I got about 12 parcels myself from all over the country. I got a great parcel from L Morton and also one from Mrs Moody of Tandragee where I stopped when we were on the route march. I think I was telling you about her the time I was home. I also got a great muffler from L Morton through Mrs Hall of Narrow Water who undertook to pay all expenses on Comforts that was sent to any of the Ulster Division from Warrenpoint. So I was very well done for.

I think I must draw to a close hoping once again that you are got all right. Am hoping to hear from you soon again.

I remain
Your Loving Son

John Adams

in 1916 - France / France / France 1915-1916 / Letter 2 comments
Thursday 13 January, 1916  by

Field Postcard

NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]

I am quite well.

I have been admitted into hospital

sick

wounded

and am going on well.

and hope to be discharged soon.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your

letter dated
9/1/16
telegram  ,,
 
parcel     ,,
 

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you

lately

for a long time.

Signature only
Date
13th January 1916
in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Tuesday 18 January, 1916  by

France: “We will be like tarred roofs when we get home.”

B E Force, Somewhere in France
18.01.16

My Dear Mother

I now take the pleasure of writing a few lines hoping they will find yourself and all at home in your usual good health as this leaves me in the same out here at the time of writing. I have got your parcel just now. Many thanks for same, and I had your letter the day before yesterday. Well dear Mother you need not trouble about sending me anything out here as it costs you to much and I may tell you straight we do not want for anything out here as we get an issue of cigarettes every week and the Mount Norris people has been good enough for to forward us another issue. And then we have an Army canteen in the Regt then we can get nearly anything we want. So you need not mind bothering you head about sending me anything out here.

Of course I do not want you to be angry or take anything to you of what I say. I thank you from my heart for what you have sent me out but you have little enough for yourselves without paying the heavy postage that is on at present. I am sure that you were glad to see Jimmy when he came up. Is he much changed or did his wounds affect him in any way. I am sure he did not say much about the times he had. That is not a soldiers way of doing anything.

I had a letter from Jennie telling me about Mr Chambers leaving but I think I named it in my last letter. I am glad you are getting my letters now. I was very sorry when I heard that you were not getting them for there is not a week that passes that I do not write home. But dear Mother so not take it so about the leave. We might land in some night before you know. They do not let everybody out here what they are doing. So do not get down hearted about it.

[has] Johny Elliott come back to live at the crossroads – he does not like to stay long in the one place. The weather has got better now and there is not many out here that will be sorry about that for the wet weather is not very pleasant out here. But no matter we are well hardened to it now. We will be like tarred roofs when we get home. But you need not be uneasy about us for I think the German bullet was is not made yet that is to kill me. So do not say anymore about it.

What is the matter with Davy Patton. I am very afraid there is some of the boys that talked so much would not stand roughing it very long out here. The wet cold weather would kill them if they never saw a German. yes Louie Morton has been good to me. And I would be most ungrateful to her if I would forget her for it, which I have no thought of doing. I think I have not much more to say tonight. Only to thank you again for your parcel. So goodnight and God take care of all at home until we meet again.

I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
Please do not take it ill anything I said in my last letter as I may have been angry at the time.
This is a small mirror for Annie. Tell her she must blow her breath out before she uses it and see the result. I am sorry I have not time to write to her but I shall do so as soon as I get time.
J. Adams
Tell Annie I will write as soon as I get time but I cannot get the time just now as I am writing to Jimmy.

in 1916 - France / France / France 1915-1916 / Letter 0 comments
Thursday 27 January, 1916  by

France: “The weather still keeps fairly good”

Postmark: Absent

Stamped “Passed Field Censor 2198” and countersigned “DRHood”

27-1-16

Dear Mother

Just a card to say that I received your letter yesterday alright.  Glad to know that all at home are still enjoying good health as this leaves myself in the same here at present.  I am sorry that I have not time for a letter just now, but I shall do so as soonas I have time.  The weather still keeps fairly good and I hope that it continues to do so.  No more at present.

I remain your loving son

John

16 01 27 France 02

16 01 27 France 01

Postcard shows:

“Greetings from France”: an officer and a man from the ranks look wistfully into the distance amongst the conical tents of camp.

in 1916 - France / France / France 1915-1916 / Postcard 0 comments
Monday 7 February, 1916  by

Field Postcard

NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]

I am quite well.

I have been admitted into hospital

sick

wounded

and am going on well.

and hope to be discharged soon.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your

letter dated
31/1/16
telegram  ,,
 
parcel     ,,
 

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you

lately

for a long time.

Signature only
Date
7th February 1916
in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Monday 28 February, 1916  by

London: “we have got back safe so far on our way back to France”

Postmark: London

28 Feb 1916

London, 28-2-16

Dear Mother,

Just a line to say that we have got back safe so far on our way back to France.  I hope you are keeping well and that Jimmy got home safe from the station.  It seems to have snowed a lot here of late.  We leave London at 4 pm  and we arrived here at 7.00 this morning so have quite a while to stay here.

Your son,

Johnnie

Postcard shows: “Birds Eye View of London”, with the view dominated by St Paul’s Cathedral’s West Front.

160228 London 02

160228 London 01

in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 / Postcard 0 comments
Friday 3 March, 1916  by

Field Postcard

NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]

I am quite well.

I have been admitted into hospital

sick

wounded

and am going on well.

and hope to be discharged soon.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your

letter dated
telegram  ,,
 
parcel     ,,
 

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you

lately

for a long time.

Signature only
Date
3rd March 1916
in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Wednesday 15 March, 1916  by

Jeannie: “I was dreaming Johnnie was wounded the other night.”

Church Hill

Holywood

Co. Down

 

15 Mar 1916

 

My Dear Mother,

 

This is just a line to say I got your letter alright.  I hope you are better.  Do you still feel the pains?  Had you any more word from Johnnie since I had a PC from Jack, but Johnnie had not got his length when it was written.  I have written to them both and sent Johnnie his paper.  They were lucky boys got home the time they did.  All leave is stopped.

 

Mrs Caughry [?] was telling me on Sunday that Jim told her to tell me he heard he was getting home and he enquired till he found out where the Fusiliers were and tried to find Johnnie.  They told him in Johnnie’s Company that he had just left for his leave the night before, so Jim said before he comes he will try and find him.  I thought it was awfully good of him.  The young fellow next door has enlisted in the Dublin Fusiliers.  He went away this morning.  He is a minister’s son and he is just a Private.  The other boy is away about Warrenpoint in a sanatorium.  He is away since the first of the month.  I don’t know whether it’s doing him any good.

 

Did you hear from Lizzie lately?  I wrote to her but I got no reply.  I cut this wee bit out of the paper.  I was dreaming Johnnie was wounded the other night.  I hope you are not listening to anything anyone tells you about Johnnie being wounded as anything else.  Let them talk away, don’t you worrie [sic].  He has been very good at writing.

 

There is a whole lot of visitors in now.  They say there’s going to be an air raid over Belfast tonight.  Isn’t it well we don’t live in Town?  I don’t think there is a thing of it.

 

I hope Annie and Jimmie are both well.  Write me a long letter soon and excuse this horrid scrawl as I have had to get up so often.  Don’t be in a bit of a hurry with those things.  The weather still keeps cold.  Try and keep yourself warm.  Write soon.

 

Give my love to all.

I remain your

Loving Daughter

J. Adams

 

16 03 15 Jeannie Adams letter 15.03.16 a

16 03 15 Jeannie Adams letter 15.03.16 b

in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Thursday 16 March, 1916  by

Field Postcard

NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]

I am quite well.

I have been admitted into hospital

sick

wounded

and am going on well.

and hope to be discharged soon.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your

letter dated
10/3/16
telegram  ,,
 
parcel     ,,
 

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you

lately

for a long time.

Signature only
Date
16th March 1916
in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Monday 20 March, 1916  by

France: “Each man being given a sprig of shamrock which we all enjoyed having very much.”

Somewhere in France
20.3.16

My Dear Mother

Just a few lines to let you know that I am still in good health. Hoping this will find yourself and all at home in the same. I am very sorry that I have been so long in writing to you, but it was not my fault. As we have bee rather busy since I came back. So you cannot have much time to yourself for letter writing. But as you know I send a card at least once a week. And sometimes its all I have time for. Well I got back safe at any rate after some knocking about. Which none of us enjoyed but we had to put up with it.

The weather is excellent just now. And I hope it continues as the trenches are in a better state owing to the good weather. And I may tell you we are up against enough without wadeing to the knees in water.

Well I have got all your letters and parcel since I came back alright and I must thank you for your parcel. I have also written to thank J Morton for her’s which was a beautiful pocket book. Well we got the 17th over which was given to us as a holiday, being out of the trenches at the time. Each man being given a sprig of shamrock which we all enjoyed having very much. One has to be away from Ireland for a while before they can understand what it is to get something from it. And no wonder those away relish getting a sprig of shamrock so much. And when my feet touched the platform at Dundalk on our homeward journey I thought new life had entered my body that is what it is like to be away from home.

I got your card and Annie’s last night. But tell Annie she need not put Cpl on the letters as I have not got my appointment yet I could have got it again in another Coy but refused it again. As I told you I do not want to leave where I am and no room in our Company for a full Cpl yet. So she need not put it on until I tell her.

Well I think this is all I have time for now but as long as you know I am alright.

Goodbye.
I remain
Your Loving Son

John

in 1916 - France / France / France 1915-1916 / Letter 0 comments
Thursday 23 March, 1916  by

Field Postcard

NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]

I am quite well.

I have been admitted into hospital

sick

wounded

and am going on well.

and hope to be discharged soon.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your

letter dated
18/3/16
telegram  ,,
 
parcel     ,,
 

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you

lately

for a long time.

Signature only
Date
23rd March 1916
in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Sunday 26 March, 1916  by

Field Postcard

NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]

I am quite well.

I have been admitted into hospital

sick

wounded

and am going on well.

and hope to be discharged soon.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your

letter dated
18/3/16
telegram  ,,
 
parcel     ,,
 

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you

lately

for a long time.

Signature only
Date
26th March 1916
in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Thursday 30 March, 1916  by

Field Postcard

NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]

I am quite well.

I have been admitted into hospital

sick

wounded

and am going on well.

and hope to be discharged soon.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your

letter dated
25/3/16
telegram  ,,
 
parcel     ,,
 

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you

lately

for a long time.

Signature only
Date
30th March 1916
in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Friday 31 March, 1916  by

France: “You did your best to do me out of my girl.”

Somewhere in France
31.3.16

Dear Jimmy

I am writing too them all so I could not leave you out. How are you getting on since I came away. I believe you were at that Orange Ball at Bessbrook. And did your best to do me out of my girl. Mind I am telling you. You had better keep clear of that quarter of the town. Although I am out in France, there is nothing goes passed that I do not hear off. But no matter I think it would take you all your time too knock me out.

Did you see J. McCullough when he was at home. I did not think you knew him. But if you do you know a Gentleman. One that any man might wish to have as a friend. I believe youse have had a great fall of snow. Last week we had one about the same time. But there is no trace of it now. It does not stay long in this country now. Well you need not take it angry at what I said it was only a joke. Jennie[?] was telling me that she was talking to you at the dance. And what a fine fellow you were. She said you were nearly as good as your Big Brother, but seemed to have more to say (I don’t think [?]). I think I must stop or you may not answer it. But I hope you do as I would like to hear your way about it. No more at present.

I remain
Your Loving Brother

Johnnie

in 1916 - France / France / France 1915-1916 / Letter 0 comments
Friday 31 March, 1916  by

France: “It is very hard to write a letter from here for you do not know what to say for to be right.”

Somewhere in France, B.E. Force
31.3.16

My Dear Mother

Just a few lines hoping the will find yourself and all at home still enjoying good health. As this leaves me in the same at time of writing. I am sorry that I have been so long in writing, but I could not really find time to do so.

We have come out for a short rest. And the weather this last few days has been like summer. It is always the same while out of the trenches it is always fine and when we are in tem you could hardly stand the cold. The last few days we were in there was nothing but frost and snow and when it thawed it would have taken you to the knees in mud and water.

I had a letter from Jennie yesterday. She seems to be in good health. I have not much news to write this time. It is very hard to write a letter from here for you do not know what to say for to be right. So the least said the sooner mended. But as long as you know I am well I suppose its all you want to know. Four youse all know more about things at home than we do out here. I think this is all at present but I will write soon again. Whenever I get time.

I remain
Your Loving Son

John Adams

in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Sunday 2 April, 1916  by

Field Postcard

NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]

I am quite well.

I have been admitted into hospital

sick

wounded

and am going on well.

and hope to be discharged soon.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your

letter dated
27/3/16
telegram  ,,
 
parcel     ,,
 

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you

lately

for a long time.

Signature only
Date
2nd April 1916
in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Wednesday 5 April, 1916  by

Field Postcard

NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]

I am quite well.

I have been admitted into hospital

sick

wounded

and am going on well.

and hope to be discharged soon.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your

letter dated
telegram  ,,
 
parcel     ,,
 

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you

lately

for a long time.

Signature only
Date
5th April 1916
in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Thursday 13 April, 1916  by

Field Postcard

NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]

I am quite well.

I have been admitted into hospital

sick

wounded

and am going on well.

and hope to be discharged soon.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your

letter dated
8/4/16
telegram  ,,
 
parcel     ,,
 

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you

lately

for a long time.

Signature only
Date
13th April 1916
in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Sunday 16 April, 1916  by

Field Postcard

NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]

I am quite well.

I have been admitted into hospital

sick

wounded

and am going on well.

and hope to be discharged soon.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your

letter dated
9/4/16
telegram  ,,
 
parcel     ,,
 

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you

lately

for a long time.

Signature only
Date
16th April 1916
in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Sunday 16 April, 1916  by

Jeannie: “Holywood is all darkened now the street lamps are not lit”

Church Hill

Holywood

Co. Down

 

16th April 1916

 

My Dear Mother

I am very sorry I have been such a time in writing but I could not help it. I have been so busy. I think I never did as much work in my life. As I have done this last week. We have got all the cleaning done. We just got done last night, and I am tired. There was a woman in only three days. I did the rest myself. I was down in Holywood last night after I got finished. I met the Croziers. The first thing Sara asked me was I sick. She said I never looked as sick looking. But I am glad to get finished.

I hope you are all well. Had you any word from Johnnie lately. I had none all week. I wrote to him last Sunday. I told him I was going to send him a parcel but I had not time to do it. Would you send him one for Easter? I am sure he will be lonely. I hope we will hear from him soon.

Has Sammy Moffatt been home yet? I forgot to tell you that last week the Lough was full of ships. Mr Trimble said he counted 19. There was German submarines in the Channel. These ships were guarded by a warship. I think the[y] have caught one of the submarines. I wish it was all over. It seems to get worse. Holywood is all darkened now the street lamps are not lit and any that are are covered halfway down. The shopkeepers are not allowed to put lights in their windows. The times are getting worse.

Well, Bangor Rd Church has got settled. Mr Woodburn is to be installed in Bangor Rd on Thursday. First everyone seems to like him. The service is at 12 o’clock on Thursday. I am going to it. There is a social at night.

You wanted to know could I get home for Easter. I would just love to go, but there is no use trying. It would only start a row. I might get later on. I hope you are all well. Write me a long letter soon. I think this is all now. Excuse this scrawl. Any more word from Lizzie? She is a cool one.

Give my best love to all.

I remain

Your loving daughter

Jeannie Adams

Write soon to me.

 

 

16 04 16 Church Hill Jeannie letter 01

 

16 04 16 Church Hill Jeannie letter 02

in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 / Ireland / Letter 0 comments
Friday 21 April, 1916  by

Jeannie: “Yous will be lonely without Johnnie, poor fellow he’ll be lonely too”

Church Hill

Holywood

Co. Down

 

21 April 1916

 

My Dear Mother

 

This is just a wee line to say I got your letter alright.  I am very sorry I can’t get home for Easter.  I would have liked to get, but it can’t be helped now.  Yous will be lonely without Johnnie, poor fellow he’ll be lonely too.  Mr Hunter told me the other day that the Ulster Division are fighting now.  His son’s a sergt.  He has never been home yet.  I hope God will take care of Johnnie and bring him back safe.  I had a PC from him yesterday.  It was only a field one.

 

I hope you are all well.  Are your pains better?  I hope Annie’s cold is better by now.  I have got alright again.  I had a very sore pain in my back but it’s away too, I am glad to say.

 

Well, we have got our new minister settled yesterday.  It was very good.  I was at the service in the morning and at the social at night.  It was all very good and as Mr Woodburn said himself he got a royal welcome.  It was very nice.  He seems a very nice man.  He stood at the church door and shook hands with everyone as they came out, and Mrs Woodburn is Mrs Chambers over the world [?].  Everyone said how like each other they were.  They presented Mrs W with a new gown and a little girl all in white presented Mrs W with flowers. I am sending the papers with the installation in it.  I will send one with the social if it’s in the paper.  It was good.

 

Do you know that Herron [?] is out of jail?  He has got off free.  Had you any word from Lizzie lately?  I was up in Minnie Crozier’s one evening.  She told me to tell you if you would like to come down to Belfast for a change she would be very glad to have you.

 

I think this is all now.  You will not get this till Monday as the post went out early today.  I hope you will write me a good long letter soon.  I hope Annie and Jimmie are both well.

 

With best love,

I remain your

Loving daughter

 

Jeannie Adams

 

Write soon to me.

 

Do you remember the coin Johnnie gave me?  I got it put on a pin.  It’s very nice.

 

16 04 21 Jeannie Adams letter 21.04.16 a

 

16 04 21 Jeannie Adams letter 21.04.16 b

in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 0 comments
Thursday 27 April, 1916  by

Jennie: “I was thinking of poor Johnnie. He was here this time last year.”

Church Hill
Holywood
Co. Down

27 April 1916

My Dear Annie

Thanks very much for letter and card, which I got alright. I hope you are all quite well. I suppose Easter was very quiet. Well I was at church twice on Sunday. The soldiers were at the morning service. There was a good many. I was thinking of poor Johnnie. He was here this time last year.

I saw Lizzie Crozier and Annie and Sara on Saturday night. They asked me down to Annie’s on Monday so Sara came up for me in the afternoon and we went round the shore. The tide was full in and it was lovely. Leonard [?] Brown was down. He isn’t a bad wee chap at all. I was talking to him a good while. He was telling me all the news about home. He says his father is very ill. He was in a bad way about him. He said he wanted Jimmie and Davie Crozier to come with him. I wish Jimmie had come. They all went up to town about five. They wanted me to go with them but I did not go. I wonder did he get home. Sometimes the Croziers are not bad. They always ask me to go with them if they are for Minnie’s [?] or anywhere.

I think this is near about all as it’s near bedtime. I hope you will write me a good long letter soon. Has Jimmie the potatoes all in yet? The weather has been nice this last few days. Was Thomas Moffat home at Easter? I don’t think any of the Coy got any leave. They might later on. Write soon. Give my love to all.

I remain

Your loving Sister

Jeannie

Write soon

160427 Jeannie to Annie

in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 / Letter 0 comments
Thursday 27 April, 1916  by

Jeannie: ” expect you heard all about the fighting in Dublin, wasn’t it dreadful?”

Church Hill
Holywood
Co. Down

27 April 1916

My Dear Mother,

This is just a wee line to say I am well. I hope you got my letter and paper on Monday. Wasn’t the weather very wet for Easter? This last few days has been nice. I hope you are all well. Is your pains gone yet? I hope so. Had you any word from Johnnie lately. I have had none for a long time. I hope he is well. I think they are having a very hard time. I expect you heard all about the fighting in Dublin, wasn’t it dreadful? It’s coming very near us. That was 10,000 soldiers sent from England and a lot from Belfast. I heard there was a bridge blown up so that the train can’t reach Dublin. I hope they won’t start in Belfast. I know 3 girls that went to Dublin on Monday, and they have not arrived home yet. I am glad there is no one belonging to us in it. They say there is a lot killed and wounded. I think youse are fairly safe out there. I wish it was all over. What does the Crawlies [?] say about it? Are they for it? The volunteers around here have all been called up.

We have got our new minister settled. He seems very nice. He was preaching on Sunday night himself and the church was packed. I never saw so many people in it before, and everyone seemed to like him. He has had a wedding and a funeral. He is only there a week today. He is to start visiting soon.

Had you any word from Lizzie lately? How is she getting on? It was very good of you sending me the wee card. I thank you all for it. If you get any word from Johnnie will you write soon and let me know.

Gordon Copeland was telling me he was up at Tullyhappy on Tuesday. He says when he was coming back at night he had to wait at Goraghwood from 7.30 till 9 o’clock before he could get a train. Maybe it was just as well I was not home. If you don’t hear from Johnnie don be too annoyed because there is very few boats running. They may not be abile to get the mails [sic] across.

I think this is all now. I wll send you a paper. Write me a good long letter soon. Give my best love to all. I remain your loving daughter,

Jeannie

Write soon to me.

160427 Jeannie 01

160427 Jeannie 02

in 1916 - France / France 1915-1916 / Letter 0 comments
Saturday 29 April, 1916  by

France: “The Germans kept quiet all day on Easter Sunday.”

Somewhere in France, British Exped Force
29.04.16

My Dear Mother

I am so sorry that I have been so long in writing to you, but I was waiting on getting the parcel that you said in your letter you were sending got to me. So I only got it last night. That is something like 10 days it took it coming, and it only takes a letter 4 days. So you will understand why I was so long in writing. Well to start with I must thank you for what you sent to me in your parcel. You are so awful good to me. I do not know how I will ever repay you. All in the parcel was all right. There was nothing gone astray. You must have spent some time in packing it.

Well we have got Easter over such as it was. You would not have known that it was Easter. Only the Germans kept quiet all day on Sunday but they gave us a few shells on Monday, which our fellows paid back in dead earnest. But its just the same every day. I wonder how far the end off. There is not many out here would care it was all over tomorrow. The weather is still keeping good it is like summer today and I hope it continues for the wet weather is not very pleasant. I suppose the people at home are busy putting in the crop. Have you got the garden in yet. You can put my share in I will be home before they are dug. Well I must thank you again for your parcel which we enjoyed very much as it was a change from the loaf bread and I think I must now draw to a close as I must write to Annie tonight but I will not be long in writing to you again.

I remain
Your Loving Son

John Adams

in 1916 - France / France / France 1915-1916 / Letter 1 comments