[postcard: plain]
02.05.17, Southampton London
Dear Mother,
Just a line to say I have got so far safe on my journey out to France. I received your parcel alright before I left N Ards. Many thanks for what you sent to me. The weather is still very nice. I hope it continues. No more at present.
Your loving son
J Adams
9th Royal Irish Fusiliers
19 Camp
36 Base Depot
Le Havre
26.05.17
Dear Mother
Just a few lines to say I received your parcel alright. Many thanks for what you sent. I thought all at home had forgotten about me. It seemed so long from I had any word from home. I do not want you to send me anything out. All I want is for some of them to write me a few lines now and again, and I just had two letters from Jennie since I came out here. You would have thought before I came out I was going to get the whole of Ireland and the half of Scotland. But I do not mind. I am happy enough where I am. But as I said before I do not anything from anyone [sic]. Anything I do hear comes through strangers. I am still at the Base. All the draft I came out with has gone up the line so I do not suppose it will be long until I am going up also. The weather is very warm out here. I believe it is very wet in Ireland at present.
No more at present.
Goodbye
I remain
Your Obedient Son
J Adams
YMCA
On Active Service
[postcard]
Sunday 27.05.17
Dear Mother
Just a card to say I have gone up the line today so my old address will find me there. The weather is very hot. It is just like the summer. No more at present.
Your loving son
J Adams
According to the Batt diaries (referenced in Major John George Brew’s story), this postcard was written near Ypres, just before the Battle of Messines, which started on 7 June.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
[YMCA letter paper]
[On Active Service with the British Expeditionary Force]
21st June 1917
B. E. Force
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines to say I received your ever welcome letter today and I am glad to know that all at home are still in good health as this leaves myself in the same at present. I have got all your letters now. I got 6 of them at the same time. So I get them now alright. It is a wonder you did not get an answer to your letters before this as I write to you every week. The weather has got rather showery this last while […] as the dry weather is very pleasant.
Well I had a letter from Mr Torrie from Waterford and he was telling me all at home were in good health. I had also a letter from Jennie and she was in good health also I had no word from Jack this long time but I think it was my own fault as I did not get answering his last letter. I did not [k]no[w] he had any notion of getting married. What happened that it did not come off? I saw T Moffat today and he looked quite well. He was telling me Sammie had to go through another operation. I think his soldiering days are finished.
Well I hope you will get this and forgive me for anything I said and hope it will still find you enjoying good health. Tell Annie and Jimmie that I was asking for them and hope to hear from them soon.
I think this is all now so I will close with best love to all at home.
I remain
Your loving son
John
PS Do not forget to write to the same address as I am with the Batt. now.
Location evidence: Major Brew
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
[YMCA letter paper]
[On Active Service with the British Expeditionary Force]
British Exped Force
28 June 1917
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines hoping they will find yourself and all at home still enjoying your usual good health as this leaves myself in the same at present. I am sorry I have been so long in writing to you but I always send you a field card to let you know how I am getting on. I am getting your letters alright now. I had a letter from Jennie and she is in good health. The weather still continues to be fine out here. Tell Jimmy I am expecting a letter from him to let me know how things are going on. I think I was telling you how I saw T Moffatt and he is looking alright and was asking for you. I believe Sam has gone into hospital again. I expect he will get his discharge soon. Do you have any word from Jack or does he ever be home? I had no word from him this long time.
Well I think this is all now hoping to hear from you soon again. I will now draw to a close for the present.
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
[poor photocopy]
[YMCA letter paper]
[On Active Service with the British Expeditionary Force]
12 July 1917
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines now that I have time […] all at home still enjoying your usual good health as this leaves myself in the same at present. I am sure by this time Jimmy will be away with the Band. I see by the paper they are for Mountnorris. I only wish I had been at home for this day. But […] here is to think of the happy […] gone there is a lot of changes since the las time we all were together. A lot […]were there that day shall never meet with again. All is left […] out here to tell us where they are […] could speak to us […] I know […several sentences…]
I had a letter from Jennie […] and she is still[?] in good health.
Well Dear Mother I think […] for this time as I […] and Annie. No more at present hoiping this will find you in good health.
Goodbye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
Location evidence: Major Brew
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
The Battle of Langemarck was part of Third Ypres and was fought through the muddy swamp just east of the city of Ypres from 16-18 August 1917.
The 36th Ulster Division were just north of Zonnebeke in the Steenbeek valley, and the 9th Royal Irish Fusiliers suffered terrible casualties.
John Adams was awarded the Military Medal for his efforts that day.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
British Exped Force
08.09.17
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines hoping they will find yourself and all at home still enjoying good health as this leaves myself in the best of health at the time of writing. The weather still continues to be fine. It is just like summer these nights and I hope it still continues as it is most pleasant (for our work).
Well Mother I hope you have stopped fretting for you know yourself there is nothing made by it. I think it is a good saying (Never Cross a Bridge to you come to it) there is always a bright side to every story and I always believe in looking at that side.
I got both your letters and also Jimmy[‘s] and if I have time tonight I shall answer his also. I had no word from Jenny since she went back. I do not know what I done on lve [?] I cannot set down and answer her letters as soon as I get them. (There is something else for me to do here). Well I think I shall stop now as I have written to Annie also.
Good night
Your loving son
John
[on the other side of the same page]
Dear Mother, your letter is the shortest […] but I shall write to you soon again.
Johnnie
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
[postcard: Clifden and the Long Hole, Bangor]
[to Mrs Adams, Lisadian]
12 Sept 1917
Just a Line to say I am well and having a very good time. The weather has been very good for so far it’s dry. This is another view of our road. These are fishing boats. The waves are very big today. Had a PC from J yesterday. Love to all from Jeanie
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
23rd Sept 1917
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines in answer to your ever welcome letter, which I received alright. And I am glad to know that yourself and all at home are still enjoying your usual good health as this leaves myself in the same at time of writing. I am glad if getting a letter from me does you any little good. It is all I can do for you while I am out here. But I believe you think so long as you get a letter from me that everything is alright. But what about me out here? I think it is just a bad if I do not hear from home. For the day we get our letter from home is a (Red Letter) day in the history of the soldier out here. It is the only way we can hear what is going on. The slender thread between us and the homeland. I do not think the people at home understands what it means to be out here. They think if they hear from those out here that is all is required. But never for a moment do they look at it from the soldier’s point of view. They never seem to think that he is just as anxious about those at home as they are about him. But anyhow I always look forward to getting a letter from home.
Well I hope Jimmy and Annie are not working too hard this weather. I suppose the people are in the midst of the harvest. I am 3 years left home this week and I may tell you I have seen some sights since that. But as long as you keep well yourself and all at home I am quite content.
Well the weather is still keeping fine and I hope it may continue as it is most pleasant. Does Jack ever be home? I had no word from him this long time. But I think it is my fault as I do not think I answered [h]is last letter, but I must write to him as soon as I get time. But if you see him remember me to him. I had a letter from Jennie the other day and she is well. They are at Bangor now.
Well I think I will have to close for this time. Hoping to hear from you soon again. Remember me to all at home. No more at present.
Goodnight
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
postcard showing Ward Park from Main Entrance, Bangor, Co. Down; Postmarked Bangor, 26 Sept 1917.
From Jennie, John Adams’ sister, who worked in domestic service in Holywood, Co. Down.
Dear Mother
Just a card to say I hope you are well. How is Jimmie getting along. It has seemed a very short month since we came down here. We go [here/home] on Monday. First there is a lot of Holywood people down here. I expect its well cleared. I hope you are well. Had you any word from J[ohn?] lately. Best love from Jeanie.
This is a very nice park.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
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 follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
BEF
18.11.17
My Dear Mother
I now take the pleasure of writing a few lines home, hoping it will find yourself and all there still in your usual good health as this leaves myself not too bad at present. I am out of hospital again and getting on alright. I am getting down to the base depot today. So I expect to be back with the Batt in a few days. I am sure you imagined all sorts of things when I did not write to you but to tell the truth I was not able. Although it was nothing more than a severe cold. But you need have no fear for me as I am getting quite alright again. I got no letters since I went into hospital, so I am uneasy [?] to know how youse all are doing.
I had rather a nice letter from Mr Torrie on the day I left the Batt. It was very nice of him to think of writing to me.
The weather is got quite nice this last while, and I do hope it may continue. We had rather wet weather just before I went into hospital and I think that was what set me up.
Well it is wearing round to Xmas again. This is my fourth Xmas from home. Who would think it was so long, but perhaps all may be over for Xmas 1918 at least I hope it may be.
Well I shall think long [until] I get back to the Batt until I get a letter from home.
I think this is all now so I will close for this time. Hoping all at home are in good health.
Goodbye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
I do not think I am going back to the Batt yet. Something has turned up for me, but I cannot tell you yet, so do not write again until you hear from me again.
We’re not sure what has happened here, but (from the next letter) he appears to be in No. 2 Convalescent Camp in Rouen. We know that he was gassed, so a recurrence of respiratory infection could have put him in hospital.
Mr Torrie was Rev. Edwin George Torrie, the minister of Kingsmills Presbyterian Church from 1914-1920, who served as a Private in the Royal Army Medical Corps from May 1916 until June 1919. Source: History of Kingsmills Presbyterian Church.
Roy. Irish Fusiliers
No.2 Convalescent Depot
Rouen (Farming)
20.11.17
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines to let you know that I am still living and well. Hoping yourself and all at home are the same at present. I said the last time I wrote not to write again until you heard from me. I was at the Con-Camp at the time, so I did not like to give you any address until I should see if I was staying or not. But just as I was finishing your letter the RSM sent for me to see if I should like to go in charge of a party of men to work on a French farm until I got back my health again. And I need not say I jumped at the chance so that is what I am at now.
I am about 9 miles out of Rouen but our letters have to come through the con-camp. What a lovely country to live in. I believe I could live here all my life. I may be here 1 month and I may be here more. So I should like to hear from home as soon as ever you can as I am uneasy until I get word. I am getting quite fit again since I came to live here. I would you would write to Jennie and give her my address as I have not time to do so now.
This is all at present. Hoping to hear from you soon.
Goodbye
Your loving son
Johnnie
Address in full 13971
Sergt John Adams
Roy Irish Fus
No.2 Convalescent Depot
Rouen
B. E. Force
(Farming)
Postmark: Dover 25 Nov 1917
Miss Minnie Reid
Searce
Jerrettspass
Newry
Ireland
Dear Minnie
Arrived here yesterday, would have carried over today but any [unclear]
Write later on
Willie
Postcard shows Dover Castle from Connaught Park.
Willie Lockhart was presumably returning from leave in Ireland.
05.12.17
British Exped. Force
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines hoping they will find yourself and all at home in good health as this leaves myself in the same at present. I am nearly tired waiting for a letter from home. It is nearly 6 weeks since I had one so I have nearly given up hope. How is Jimmy getting on? I hope he is well and also Annie. Had you any word from Jennie lately? Tell Jimmy this place is much cleaner than Sinclair’s yard.
This is a lovely part of the country and I like it very much. I shall send you a photo in a day or two and I hope you shall like it. The weather is keeping quite nice here now and I do hope it may continue as it is most pleasant.
Well I think this is about all now, so I shall close with best love to all.
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
Presumably this is a continuation of the farming convalescence?
22.12.17
Dear Mother
Just a line to say I received your reg letter alright and I am glad to know that all at home are in good health as this leaves myself in the same at present. I am getting all your letters alright now. I wrote to you several times since I came here. I had a letter from Annie the other day and she is still in good health. Well I think this is all neo. So I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon again.
Goodbye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
[postcard]
26.12.17
Dear Mother
Just a card to say I hope all at home had a pleasant Xmas. No more now will write soon again. Goodbye, Johnnie.