[postcard to Mrs John Adams, Kingsmill, White Cross, Co. Armagh, Ireland]
[possibly postmarked Aug 12 1914 – fits with history of Royal Inniskillings]
Dear Aunt just a PC to let you know I am at Lough Swilly, hoping all is well, if you be writing my address so far is 7388 Pte T Davidson, D Company, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, [Pubble????] Camp, Co. Donegal.
[Postcard showing: A Cosy Corner. “How fair the rural scene”]
[Addressed to Mrs J Adams, Lisadian]
[Postmarked Belfast 23 Sept 1914]
We got here alright. Minnie met us in the station & took us home with her. We are stopping with her tonight. Tell A & J I will write later.
J. C. [?]
[on the way to enlist]
[Postcard showing Fountains Abbey]
[Addressed to Mrs J Adams, Lisadian]
[Postmarked, Belfast 23 Sept 1914]
We arrived here safe and was padded all right. We are stopping with Minnie tonight and going to Camp in the morning. Will write later.
J.A.
[on his way to enlist]
C Company
7 Batt RIF
Clandyboye Camp
Co. Down
Sept 1914
[probably 27th Sept 1914 – first Sunday after John Adams enlisted 24 Sept. Very possibly his first letter home of WW1]
Dear Mother
Just a line hoping it will find you all in good health as it leaves us in the same at present. I think this is the first Sunday that I have ever been away from home all day and it’s very hard to say when I may be back for we are going to get the shift from here as soon as we get our uniform and I do not know when we may get home.
There is an awful lot of UV here and youse need not be afraid of so long as they are on the top of the earth. I wish you would hear them singing at night all the Orange songs of the day. We had Sir E Carson and the wife here yesterday and they inspected our lines. It is a wonderful life this we have to things here that we would not like to do at home. It is a queer change when Jimmie and I could not lie together 16 of us lying together here. Every man has to lie on his side and you can not turn to right or left but you need not think by telling you this that I do not like [it] for I fairly enjoy it.
And there is a lot here that we know. We see S Moffat every day and S Crozier boy [?] too. As soon as he heard that we were here he come to see us. And he sent a PC to Jennie in Hollywood [sic] as I did not know the address. We have a sergeant stopping in the tent with us and he is great fun. You might not care what you said to him as long as you were not on parade. But it is very hard to watch the Officers all for they are still knocking about.
You may excuse this scribble as we are writing on the grass so it is not very level. But if we were in the Barracks we would be al right. They were saying around here that we are for Portsmouth [?] and from that to Egypt but it might be some time to that yet.
I hope you will get this before you write as I sent the wrong address. But if you have it does not matter. You can tell all round there that I was asking for them. I hope Mrs McCombe is better now. You may tell Jimmie [that] they are starting a Number in the North Antrims. We had a great Church Parade today. I think this is all. Remember me to all at home.
I remain
Your loving son
J Adams
[From personal note]
Nov 1914
At Victoria Barracks, Belfast
[YMCA postcard: HM Forces on Active Service]
[From 13971 Pte J Adams, 9th Batt RIF, D Coy, The Palace Barracks, Holywood, Co. Down
To Mrs J Adams, Lisadian]
Postmarked 02 Feb 1915
Dear Mother,
Just a line today we got back here alright. I was not down seeing J[eannie] yet nor will hardly see her tonight as we are for an night attack. But I will go down to se her before we leave on Thursday. It will be Sunday week before we are the length of Bessbrook, but I think we weill have time to go home on that day. I think this is all now.
I remain
Your loving son
J Adams
You need not write again until you hear from me for I do not know when we will be shifted.
[From personal notes]
Friday
Entrained to Lurgan. Portadown (had mid day meal). Loughgall Road to Red Lion, Drimond [Diamond?], over Cock Hill to Birches (3). Stayed overnight with Widow showed boxes of L.O.L. and R.B.P. which sat there.
[From personal notes]
Saturday
To Loughgall via Church hill*. Stayed in Rock Tavern (with Band) over week end.
*Church Hill – home of the Verner family, site now in Peatlands Country Park.
**Rock Tavern in Loughgall
[From personal notes]
Sunday
Service in Loughgall Parish Church
[Postcard showing Loughgall]
[Addressed to Miss A Adams, Lisadian]
[Postmarked 07 Feb 1915, Loughgall]
Dear Annie
Just a line hoping it finds you in good health as this leaves me in the same here at present. I hope you will come to see us when we get to Bessbrook. This is part of Loughgall. Perhaps Mother would know it.
I Remain
Your loving Bro
J Adams
[From personal notes]
Monday + Tuesday
Armagh City
[From personal notes]
Wednesday
Afternoon marched to Richhill via Hamiltonsbawn. Stayed in Home of Wm. McNally.
[This is what Hamiltonsbawn looked like then. Strange to think that John Adams will have marched past two houses he later lived in after he moved to Hamiltonsbawn in 1926. I wonder if he ever thought about that route march when he was marching along the main street later in life?]
[From personal notes]
Friday
From Tynan via Keady to N.T. [Newtown] Hamilton. Stayed at the Home of Messrs Fallow.
[From personal notes]
Sunday
Service in Bessbrook Church
[From personal notes]
Monday
From Bessbrook to Poyntzpass via Doctor’s Hill and Drumbanagher Castle. Stayed at home of J.B. Small
[From personal notes]
Tuesday
From Poyntzpass to Markethill via Tyrone Ditches and Glenanne, stayed Rev. Moore’s Manse.
From personal notes
Wednesday
From Markethill to Tandragee, via Clare, Laurelvale, stayed at Main Street at home of some Dressmakers
[From personal notes]
Took part in Recruiting March through County Monaghan, terminating at Castleblayney, lasting 1 week.
D Company
9 Batt R. I. Fus.
Newtownards
20.03.15
Dear Mother
Just a few lines to say I received your parcel this morning and what was inside. I thank you very much for it. The drawers is alright. I hope I may never worse [?]
The weather is greatly changed this last day. It is simply lovely now like the summer time. It does not be long in changing. I suppose the people are busy at their crops now. They have nearly all in about here now. It is a very early country about here. The ground is very sandy.
Tell Jimmy that I will write to him later and tell him all the news but I have not time now. He might write to me sometimes and tell me how he is getting on. Does ever he be at the Manse working now? I suppose he will put in the garden for Mr Jorrie this year. There’s many a change since last year this time but I hope they are all for the best. I hope the weather will keep like this for us going home. We don’t often get good weather for going home.
I think this is all now. I thank you again for your present.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
D. Company
9 Batt R. I. Fus
Newtownards
17.04.1915
My Dear Mother
Just a line today. I got your parcel this morning and was very thankful to you for what you sent. We are still confined to camp. I was just out once since we came back. There is nothing else that I want just now except if you could get me a box of [Zach Buk??] sometime Jimmy would be in Newry.
I hope you are keeping in good health as the weather is getting good again. We are all getting our photos take in Batt tomorrow. If I can I will get one for you though I may not be seen in it you will know that I am in it somewhere. Did Jimmy get the photos out of Newry yet where we were taken together? There is one for you, one for Mrs Moffatt and Mrs Crozier and there was to be one each sent to us.
I think that is all now. [Praying] we will all be spared to meet again.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
I thank you again for what you sent me. Perhaps you will hardly know now this is. I am sending you this little book.
Tell Annie to write to me now and again. It does one good to hear from home.
D Company
9 Batt R. I. Fus
Newtownards
07.05.15
My Dear Mother.
Just a line to say that I received your letter aright. I am sorry that I was so long in writing but we have been very busy this last few days. I expect it will be a very big day in Belfast tomorrow. We are leaving here at 6 am in the morning. I hope it does not be too warm.
I am glad you like the photo. It is not too well taken. You can see the Captain standing in front of me but I will show you them all when I go home. I will get you the other one too.
We intend going home on tomorrow week if we get and indeed to tell you the truth I would like if you would send me a few shillings before as we might be paid short on that day and the 3 shilling would not take me home. I am sorry to take it off you but if I was not going home I would not need it and it might be a good while [bef]or[e] we get home again and I will not may get the chance of getting any more photos of the Company and I would like to have them if we […] it would keep me in mind of the times we spent together. And if anything would happen to us you would have them to show. Jimmy might just be as well at home for there is going to be a very big crowd. I really wish it was over. It will be none [sic] pleasure for us.
I will write again before I go home. Excuse this writing as I am in a hurry. We are packing up for tomorrow. I think this is all now. I send my best love to all at home.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
Tell Jimmy I will write to him after Sat. I wish you would keep […] Belfast [Telegraph?] for me to I go home […] tomorrow’s parade will all be in it. I will take the other photo home with me as it might get broken sending it by post.
There was a major parade of the 36th Ulster Division through Belfast on 8 May 1915. More details from the Ulster Somme Association.
[From personal notes]
Inspection at Malone at Major General Sir Hugh McCalmont K.C.B. followed by a March through the City.
[From personal notes – date not specific, June 1915]
Promoted Lance Corporal
Went with Advance Party to Seaforde, Sussex, England
[For God, King & For Country]
[YMCA]
[HM Forces on Active Service]
D Company
9th RIF
Seaford Camp
Sussex
Sunday 18.08.1915
Dear Mother
Just a line to say I received your letter alright. Hoping this will find youse all in good health as it leaves me in the same at present. I am sorry that I was so long in writing but indeed I thought I had written. I hope Jennie will have a good time at home and get good weather. I am sure she has need of a rest. You can tell her I will write to her as soon as I get time perhaps tomorrow. Well Dear Mother I need not buoy you up with false hope, but if every thing goes well you may have a chance of seeing us again before we leave England. Some of the U. D. [Ulster Division?] has got it already. 7 days leaves. But when our turn comes I do not know. It may not for a month yet but it would mean 4 clear days at home. Of course you need not depend on it for so many things can happen. Well I got my photos taken but they were that much changed that you do not know me from someone else. So I will not get them taken until we go home and then get them taken right. For these got the five [?]
I got the stamps many thanks for them. I am sorry to hear of you been sick but I hope you are better by this time. I was up in Brighton on Saturday. It surely is a lovely place. They Promenade is 5 miles from one end to the other. The lights goes out there at 8 o’clock and the place is in total darkness afterwards.
Tell Annie and Jimmy that I will write to them all. Jimmy might write to me some times. This is a photo for Jimmy of all the units in the 36th Division represented. I think this is all now.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
Excuse this scribble in haste.
This little brooch is for Annie. I will get you something later on.
[From personal notes]
Inspected to [sic] King George V at Aldershot
Somewhere in France
07.10.15
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines to let you know I am still in good health hoping this will find youse all at home the same. We have got over safe. And the people that we are in amongst are very nice and would do anything for us at all. The only thing we cannot get any ciggireets [sic] to buy and I would like very much if you could send me a few and a lighter. Jimmy can get it in Newry for a few pence as we cannot get matches either.
This is all I have time for now. Hoping [Annie] and Jimmy is well. Will write later on.
I remain
Your loving son
John
[on the reverse of the same piece of paper]
D Company
9th Roy. Irish Fusiliers
108 Infantry Bde
36 Ulster Div
Brit Expd Force
France
I received your letter tonight but I had not time to read it before the post. Will answer it later.
Location evidence from Major Brew’s account.
[on YMCA writing paper]
S.W. Chambers
YMCA
BFPO I
BEF
Oct 21st 1915
Dear Mrs Adams
I just want to let you know that some little time ago – about a fortnight ago – I saw John [blacked out sentence follows – censor?] He and Robt. Crozier’s son came into our tent one evening and were surprised to find me. I was plsd to see them. They were both fit and well. John has got much fatter and firmer looking. Experience and responsibility are doing him good. He looks every inch a man and I have no doubt he will do credit to himself wherever he goes. You may make your mind easy as to that. They were in the best of spirits. They have now moved away from my neighbourhood… [rest of letter missing]
[Presumably written by S.W. Chambers to Mary Jane Adams. We believe the author to be Rev. Samuel Waugh Chambers of First Holywood Presbyterian Church, Co. Down. He was the employer of John Adams’ sister Jeannie, and had been a minister at Cremore Presbyterian Church near Poyntzpass from 1898-1907. The YMCA notepaper may mean that Rev. Chambers was working for the YMCA, and this is further indicated by a Medal Record card on Ancestry.co.uk. (needs an account to link to this, unfortunately).
Location evidence: Major Brew’s account indicates that the 9th Bn R.I.F. were in Rainneville around this time.]
[From personal notes. date not specific – simply marked as Nov]
In Trenches Heburterne Sector attached to Gloster [sic] Regt for Instructions
19.11.1915
My Dear Mother
I have a few minutes to myself so I thought I would spend them in writing home. Sometimes I have not time to write a letter but I send a card every week. I got you parcel alright. Many thanks for what you sent to me. But as I said in my card you need not send anything out here in the line of clothes for we get plenty of things out here in the line of shirts or underwear. I hope you are got alright by his time. I think you are felting [fretting] too much and it won’t do you any good for I am alright out here. And if anything happens to me you will have the satisfaction of knowing that I have done whatever I could to keep the Germans back and I think for each man that falls out here there should be two sent out. Nothing but the overwhelming force of men will ever bring the war to a close. And I wonder that anyone can sit at home that can come out here and see this war going on and does not help to bring it to a finish.
I suppose Jimmy is busy every day. Is all the potatoes is all out [?] by this time. The weather is got very wet out here now. Was Tommy up yet or is he home? I suppose he will hardly stop on. He has done his share. When everyone has done as much the war is over. Jack is in good health. Him and I are still together. I think this is all I have tome for now. Hoping it will find all at home in good health as it leaves me in the same here at present.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
19.12.15
Somewhere in France
My Dear Mother
I am sorry that I have been so long in writing to you but I could not help it. I received your letter and card. Many thanks for same. I am glad you liked the little card I send. They are a rare thing out here and we would give any money for them. And I may tell you the French people know how to put their price on them when they know that you want them.
You need not be a bit sorry at not being able to send me any parcel for Xmas for I think I have had my share of them. I had two from Jennie and two from Louis Morton and one from Mrs Meeke and Xmas cards from the world over. I had also a letter from Mr Torrie [?] saying that he had got one of my photos and how glad he was to get it. Also giving me great praises for […] what I call nothing but doing my duty.
Jennie was telling me about that book she sent to you […] got that little piece of paper that is the section that I am in charge of No. 3. Jack is also in it. So we are always together and I hope we may get home together but I am afraid of it this time as I will have to toss up for [it] this time. I do not want to give you too much hope but if all goes and we are spared we might get a race home in the New Year. But its only might no more.
I think Jimmy might write and let me know how all is going on. He did not happen to tell us that they had a dance in Knockavannon in connection with the Black Number. But we got tickets for it out here. I think it would not have done him much harm to have let us know as we used to belong to it at one time.
Today is fine and there is a change for we have had very cold and wet weather this last while. But I believe they are having snow in Warrenpoint and I hope it does not come our way as God knows we are bad enough without it. We are likely to take our Xmas dinner in the trenches this year. But we are as contented as well there as any place else. In fact I would rather be in them as out as the time passes more quickly in them.
I am glad you have got alright again but the weather is against you getting well quickly.
Tell Annie I will write to her soon. I got her card and handkerchief. Many thanks [to] her for the same.
I think I must draw to a close as we are on duty today and I have no more thus you may excuse this scribble. I will write soon again.
I am sending you a little bit of paper with Queen Mary’s own handwriting on it we got in a pair of mittens just as a keepsake from France.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
20.10.16
My Dear Mother
I am sorry I have been so long in writing to you but it was not my fault as I thought I had written to you and I was wondering why I never heard from you. I was thinking long to hear from you when I got your letter saying that you had not heard from me. Well I hope yourself and all at home are still in good health and I hope Annie is quite better and that Jimmy is not working too hard.
I am getting on here alright. I am liking the place better than I did at the first. There was a Board of Docs here some time ago and a lot of men was passed fit and send back to their units. But I was put back for further treatment so I do not know now when I may get away from here. But you need not be uneasy about me as I am alright. I think I will get a pass sometime and go home to see youse. But it means a lot of money. It would take 15′ [15 shillings?] to take me to Bessbrook station at half fare.
[the copy of the second page is cut off on the rhs]
…need not expect me to go home very often…nothing I want you to send me. I thank you …for what you have sent me. I shall not …and the rest for it. Do you know did…a woollen jacket that Jennie knit for … home any time I was there. I cannot think…I left it. It was one without buttons if …of leave it at home you need not bother…The weather is not so bad as it was …ago but what can we expect now the …will soon be here. Well I hope you will …me for not writing sooner to you. I will not …happen again. I think I must draw to a …and I will write soon again. Hoping…from you soon and hoping all at home …good health.
Good bye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
[Location: could be either Newtownards or Tipperary]
“D” Company
Royal Irish Fusiliers
Newtownards Camp
Co. Down
24.02.17
Dear Mother
I received your parcel alright this morning and I thank you very much for what you sent to me for may handkerchiefs were all lost and I was just going to write home for a couple. So I got them in good time. The weather still keeps very wet. This place is simply flooded. You see it is so low lying very little rain takes effect on it. I wish it would dry up as the good weather is quite pleasant. I had no word from Jennie this couple of days but I am writing to her tonight.
There was a very fine draft left here yesterday. I think it was the best men left here. Albert Brown is away with it. There was […] them altogether. They were all 9th men going back. A few more drafts like it will take all the 9th men away from here.
Is there any word from Jack? I have lost his address. But he may soon be home. I hope he may get home before I get out again. Well I think I have little more to say so I will draw to a close hoping to hear from you soon again and thanking you again for your parcel.
I remain
Your loving son
J Adams
“D” Company
10th Royal I. Fus.[sic]
Newtownards
Co. Down
03.03.17
Just a few lines hoping they will find you still enjoying good health. I am sorry I was so long in answering your parcel which I received alright. Many thanks for the same. The weather keeps very wet. I do wish it would clear up as it is not very pleasant. Well I hope they had a good night on Friday night in Kingsmills. Was there many there?
Well Dear Mother if you do not get any more word from me this week you need not be uneasy as I will not have time to write. I am doing Orderly Sgt this week so I will not have a minute to spare. I am only telling you as you might wonder what was wrong.
I have got to go now, so I will have to draw to a close. Hoping to hear from you soon again.
I remain
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 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
[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
[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
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
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)
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?
[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.
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 letter from home to know how you are. I did not get a letter now since I left Farming [see previous letters]. So you may guess I am very uneasy about you, as the last letter I had from Annie she said you were ill. I only wish I knew how you were. I cannot sleep at night thinking of you. I wrote to you from the Base saying I was going up the line to join the Batt., but I have not got that length yet. I did not like to send my address of any of the places I was in, I was so short a time in any of them. For you never know when you are changed and then the letters are following you all around the place. But I think I will send this one in the chance that I will be here until I get a letter and if I am not here when it comes they will send it on after me.
13971 Sgt John Adams, 9th Roy Ir Fus,36th Divisional Wing Batt, R.F.E [?], BEF.
I hope Annie can make this out.
And Dear Mother there is one thing I should like you would do and that is if you are no better. If you would get the Doctor to give you a certificate that you are serious and that you should like to see me. If you would then send it out to me I would show it to the CO and I should stand a good chance of getting home to see you. I should not like anything would happen to you and me out here. You had better Reg the letter you send it in as I should get it sooner.
I hope I have made this clear to you. There is no harm in it. All you have got to do is say to the Doctor you should like to see me and get him to write it out, and then Annie to send it to me. And I shall do the rest. I do not think Major Brew would refuse me. I need not tell you what my thoughts are like each night. And getting no letters makes me worse. I really do not know what to think. But I hope you are a good deal better by this time. This is all now as I will close.
Hoping to hear from you soon again. And do not forget what I told you.
Good bye
I Remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
Location: The War Diary shows the Battalion having just moved to Grand Seracourt, near Saint-Quentin.
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 certificate to the effect that she was ill and that she should like to see me. But she wrote back to say she was alright again when I know quite well she was not. Because she is afraid of something happening to me in crossing over and as she would not do it I want you to do it for me. And if you do not I shall give up hope. I cannot sleep at night and to tell you the truth I am not near at myself, for I am longing to see Mother again. And you could do it all in the inside of an hour. I am sure Dr [??] should not refuse you. I cannot explain this much better.
There is an officer in our Batt and he told me today he should do all in his power to help me. But he told me he could do nothing for me in the way of getting a special leave except I could get a telegram or a doctor’s certificate. But he told me as soon as I got either that he should do his best to get me home to see mother. He said he was very sorry for me and told me to write to you to get either you or the Dr to send a certificate and that he should do the rest for me. I hope you understand me. All you have to do is go to the Doctor and say mother is very ill and wishes to see me. And I am sure he shall not refuse you (knowing that she is ill). Put it in a Reg letter and send it to me. And if all go well as this officer says it will I shall be home before the end of the month.
Well I think this is all now. Hoping to hear from you soon again. No more at present.
Goodbye
I remain
Your loving bro
Johnnie
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 did carry out my instructions and I shall soon have the pleasure of all you.
The weather still keeps quite nice. I am still in the same place, so Annie can write to the same address. Well I think this is all at present. Hoping to hear from you soon again.
Good bye
I Remain
Your Loving son
John
[faint/pale photocopy – only just legible]
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 forbid) let Annie send me a wire and I should come at once if possible. But I should send it through the Police Barracks or let them send it for you. But God grant you are a good deal better by this time. If only I had been with the Batt where I am known I should have got home straight away. But if both of us are spared for a couple more months I shall be due for my […]
For once the mother goes, the home goes also, and each one has to face the world on their own. And I for one knows the world is a hard taskmaster. God pity the boy or girl who is thrown on the world without any experience. For I have seen some little of the world this last few years.
Well Dear Mother, I think I shall close for this time. Hoping this shall find you a little better. And if you are not do not forget what I have told you. It is all I can do (God pity me). Remember me to Annie and Jimmy. Give them my love.
Goodbye,
God bless all at home
Your loving son
Johnnie
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 and going about again. I would rather have got that letter than any telegram, for I should not have much pleasure in going home. Well if God spares us both I may be home before the end of the month.
I expect I shall be going up to the [?] far before me. Willie [???] is asking for you every day. He is also in this camp. You see if they had not kept me here for a chief instructor I should have been home on leave long ago. But perhaps it is all for the best. I am like the man with the wheelbarrow. I always have it before me.
Well I think I shall close for this time. Hoping this will find you keeping well.
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
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 you are writing do not forget to address them to the Batt. I am sorry I have not time for a long letter now but I shall write soon again to you. The weather is keeping quite nice. I hope it may continue as it is very pleasant.
Goodbye
Love to all at home
Your loving son
Johnnie
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 at time of writing. I am sorry I have been so long in writing to you. But to tell the truth I could not get time until now. But I sent you a field card every time I got a chance. We are having very nice weather out here now and I hope it may continue as it is very pleasant.
I had a letter from Jennie today and she is still in good health. Well Dear Mother I think I shall close for this time. Hoping this will find all at home in good health. Remember me to Annie and Jimmy. Tell them I shall write to them as soon as I get time.
Good bye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
Hoping to hear from you soon again.
[From a personal note]
On 1st May 1918 Brig Gen Griffith handed over 108 Brigade to Brig Gen Vaughan DSO
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 better than the rain. I had a letter from Jennie the other day and she was telling me she was going home on the following Wednesday. Did she get home? The weather will be very nice for her. I would not mind being at home this weather . I suppose she got home.
She will be telling you that I was on the boat going home on leave and had to return up the line again. You will wonder why I did not mention it to you. But I would rather not have told you. But I am sure she could not help it. Well yes I slept for a night on the boat at Le Havre on the 20th March and next day was returned up the line. So when I get [home] now I cannot say.
But I was talking to the CO the other [day] and he did not know when leave would start. But he said that I should go home in the first batch who went on leave. Also that he should find through [?] and get me 5 extra days to go to Buckingham Palace and get invested by the King with the Military Medal. So if I get that I shall be alright. But I do not know when it may come off.
Wel Dear Mother I think this is about all. Remember me to all at home and you might tell Jennie the first day she is in Newry she might get a couple of ounces of alum or something like it for a mouth wash for to harden my gums. They have got so soft I cannot clean my teeth without them bleeding. If she asks in Connor’s they will know what to give her. No more at present. Hoping to hear from you soon.
Goodbye
I Remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
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 for you. If all is well I shall be home on leave on Sunday the 9th June. So what do you think of that? I hope nothing happens this time which may prevent me from [gething?].
I hope you have got alright again. The weather is very nice at present. I do hope it may continue until after I get my leave. Well this is all at present. I shall write soon again to you.
Good bye
I remain
Your loving son
John
[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 was] recommended for the DCM [but] got the Bar instead. It is [still] something. As the bar is [just] the same as another MM [this] will give the people at home [some]thing to talk about . I suppose [they] have forgotten about me being […] home. At least I hope they have. [Well] this is all at present hoping [to] hear from home soon again. [I hope] Annie and Jimmy and [your]self are still in good health.
Goodbye
Your loving son
Johnnie
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 of writing. I hope Jimmy has got his flax saved as it has got rather wet. It will be very hard to get the harvest saved if it continues to rain.
I believe Jennie has gone to Bangor for the month. I had a card from her yesterday and she was in good health. Well, I think this is all at present. Hoping to hear from you soon again.
Good bye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
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 nice and I hope it may continue. Has Jimmy got his flax saved yet? It should bring him in some money. I received all your letters aright.
Well Dear Mother I may as well tell you I have been asked several times if I would go in for a commission, but I do not know as yet what I may do. Sometimes I think of doing it and then change my mind again. But I [have]written to Mr Meeke [Minister of Kingsmills Presbyterian Church] and also [to] Thos Elliot Rathentay [?] for […] as to my moral character […] it is necessary for to have them [if I] should take the notion again. [My] own Captain would like it if I [would] go in for it. If Mr[s?] Elliott [is] talking to you about it you might [let] him know what I want. It is just [paper] saying he has known me for [how] long and the sort of character [I have] at home. This is all there [is] for now.
Goodbye
I remain
Your loving son
J Adams
9th Royal Irish Fusiliers
Ward C 11
2/1st Southern General Hosp
Dudley Road
Birmingham
09.10.18
My Dear Mother
I suppose you will be glad to get this note from me and to know that I am in England once again. I am sure you have had all sort of thought this last few days, but don’t worry I am alright. I am as happy as the King. I got wounded through the right leg, so my only trouble is I have got to lie on my back. It will be some time before I can walk again, so I hope you will forgive this writing as it is not very good.
The nurse here who is attending me comes from Monaghan and I am the only Irish boy in the ward, so you need not fear for my treatment. I have got no writing paper or stamps, nor money to buy them, so you may forgive this short note. I hope you can make out this address. Tell Jimmy I have got 6 in [?!] of a beard on and no razor to take it off.
Goodbye
Your loving son
John
[Probably in Southern General Hospital, Birmingham – see previous letter]
18th October 1918
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines in answer to your ever welcome letter which I received alright this evening. And I am glad to know that your self and all at home are still enjoying your usual good health. As for myself I am going on as well as can be expected. I thank you very much for what you sent to me. It is really too much of you.
I had a letter from Jennie a few days ago and also a parcel today, with cigarettes in it. So I have got as much as will keep me going for a good while. I am sorry to hear of Mrs McComb’s death. It must have been a shock to the boys. I suppose none of the girls are at home. Mr Rentoul [?] had also a short reign out here. But the German shells have no respect of persons. They kill and maim whatever comes in their way. But it [is] all in the fortunes of war or rather the misfortunes.
Well Dear Mother [I] am getting along first rate. I have still my leg in splints. I have still got 6 days to lie on my back before they take them off. You see it takes the artery so long to knit and heal up. But I will be running about in a few days again.
I hope Jimmy is not working too hard but I suppose the most of the work is finished. Tell him he might write me a few lines some night he has time. I suppose the Dances will soon be starting for the winter. I was telling you they were talking of sending a few of us across to Ireland when I first came in here. But as I was not able to be moved at the time I did not hear anything more about it until this evening when they came around and [took] the names of all men belonging to Ireland. So whither [sic] they are going to send me across or not I do not know.
Well I think this is about all tonight. I will now close. Thanking you again for what you sent to me tonight. I shall not forget it.
Goodbye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
Tell Annie I shall write to her as soon as I am able to sit up. Hoping to hear from her soon.
St Patrick Ward
Mater Hospital
Dublin
29.10.18
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines in answer to your ever welcome letter which I received today. And I am glad to know that yourself and all at home are still in good health, as this leaves myself going on alright. I am a good deal better. My leg is nearly healed up, but I am still in bed.
I am sorry to hear of G Halliday being killed. I wonder what Batt he was with. I did not see him for a long time. But there have been a lot killed this last while. The CO of the 9th was killed the day after I left [possibly Lt Col P Kelly – killed by a shell on 11 Oct 1918 – see war diary]. I am sending you his photo he was a good man and he thought quite a lot of me. I was sorry to hear of him being killed.
Well I think this is all now hoping to hear from you soon again. I shall be glad to get those cigarettes which you have for me.
Goodbye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
[poorly copied letter with much of each page off the edge]
[probably St Patrick’s Ward, Mater Hospital, Dublin]
13.11.18
My Dear Mother
…have been so long in … But I hope you and …are in good health. …Is very trying on people…at present. Today is…the day the Germans…on the 21st March. …do you think of the …reached up last night…the War is finished aft[er]…Well I do not think …to say I am sorry…not. But when I hear[d]…news I thanked…I was spared to …it safe. I just…paper of a going…had been out from…killed by a stray…before peace was…I think that was…luck. I received…alright today. And …from Jennie. Well…I was so long in …expecting every day …week to go to Belfast…have been talking…all North men to be…I do not know when… or if we go at all…when of all the …home. But there is a lot of deaths in Dublin. I never go out but I meet 8 and 9 friends in one day. And there was some slight riots in the city last night. And a few people injured. I am sorry to hear of Annie being ill, but I hope she is got alright again. Miss Gardiner was not expected to get better but she is up and able to move about again. There has been not cases amongst the soldiers in Dublin yet that I have heard of.
Well I think this is all at present. Please forgive me for being so long in writing to you.
Goodbye
Your loving son
Johnnie
PS In this cutting Sir D Haig is speaking of the Retreat of the 21st March. And also of the (36) Ulster Division and is for Jimmy. I shall always remember those times when we were fighting the Germans 3-to-1.