Events: 1918 – France

John Adams spent most of 1918 at the Front, particularly near Saint-Quentin and later at Ypres. Early letters indicate that his mother, Mary Adams, was seriously ill (although she lived until the 1940s).

France: “I cannot sleep at night thinking of you”

Posted on Sunday 20 January, 1918 by John Adams

BEF 20.01.18 My Dear Mother I now take the pleasure of writing a few lines to you hoping they will find yourself and all at home in good health as this leaves myself at present. I am longing for a … Continue reading →

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France: “I am not near at myself, for I am longing to see Mother again”

Posted on Monday 4 February, 1918 by John Adams

04.02.18 My Dear Annie Just a few lines hoping this will find you still in good health as this leaves myself in the same at present. I wrote to mother for to ask the Doctor for to make out a … Continue reading →

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I got your letter alright but I still feel that you are very ill

Posted on Monday 4 February, 1918 by John Adams

04.02.18 My Dear Mother Just a line hoping it will find you feeling a little better. I got your letter alright but I still feel that you are very ill. But I was writing to Annie and I hope she … Continue reading →

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And I for one knows the world is a hard taskmaster

Posted on Friday 22 February, 1918 by John Adams

22.02.18 My Dear Mother Just a few lines to say I received Annie’s Reg letter alright, but I am very sorry to say I cannot get at the present time. But Dear Mother if you should get any worse (God … Continue reading →

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France: “I am like the man with the wheelbarrow. I always have it before me.”

Posted on Wednesday 6 March, 1918 by John Adams

06.03.18 My Dear Mother Just a few lines in answer to your ever welcome letter which I received alright. And no one but God knows the relief my mind got when I read it, to know that you are up … Continue reading →

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I am leaving here tomorrow for to rejoin the Batt

Posted on Saturday 16 March, 1918 by John Adams

16.03.18 My Dear Mother Just a line hoping it will find you in good health, as well as all at home, as this leaves myself at present. I am leaving here tomorrow for to rejoin the Batt so any time … Continue reading →

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We are having very nice weather out here now and I hope it may continue as it is very pleasant

Posted on Monday 22 April, 1918 by John Adams

BEF 22.04.18 My Dear Mother Just a few lines in answer to our ever welcome letter which I received alright. And I am glad to know that all at home are [enjoying] their usual good health as this leaves myself … Continue reading →

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108 Brigade handover

Posted on Wednesday 1 May, 1918 by John Adams

[From a personal note] On 1st May 1918 Brig Gen Griffith handed over 108 Brigade to Brig Gen Vaughan DSO

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I slept for a night on the boat at Le Havre on the 20th March and next day was returned up the line

Posted on Saturday 18 May, 1918 by John Adams

18.05.18 Somewhere in France My Dear Mother Just a few lines hoping they will find you still enjoying your usual good health as this leaves myself at present. The weather is keeping very hot at present. But is is much … Continue reading →

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If all is well I shall be home on leave on Sunday the 9th June

Posted on Saturday 1 June, 1918 by John Adams

01.06.18 My Dear Mother I now take the pleasure of writing a few lines to you hoping they will find all at home in good health as this leaves myself at present. Well Dear Mother I have got some news … Continue reading →

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Jimmy: “I suppose Johnnie has gone by now”

Posted on Sunday 21 July, 1918 by Editor

[postcard – Mizpah The Lord watch between me and thee…] Postmark 21 JU 18 Dear Mother This is just to say I hope you are all well. I hope you will write soon. I suppose Johnnie has gone by now. … Continue reading →

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I have been awarded a Bar to my Military Medal

Posted on Sunday 1 September, 1918 by John Adams

[partial letter – poorly copied and first page missing, lhs cut off – some words interpolated by me…] Dear Mother I suppose you [will] be pleased to know that I [have been] awarded a Bar to my Military Medal.  [I … Continue reading →

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I hope Jimmy has got his flax saved as it has got rather wet

Posted on Monday 9 September, 1918 by John Adams

09.09.18 Dear Mother Just a few lines to say I have received your letters alright. And I am Glad to know that yourself and all at home are still enjoying your usual good health, as this leaves myself at time … Continue reading →

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France: I have been asked several times if I would go in for a commission

Posted on Monday 16 September, 1918 by John Adams

16.09.18 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 time of writing. The weather is still keeping quite … Continue reading →

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