Events: 2010 upload

T. Davidson: Lough Swilly

Dear Aunt just a PC to let you know I am at Lough Swilly, hoping all is well Continue reading

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J.C. “We got here alright.”

Minnie met us in the station & took us home with her. Continue reading

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Belfast: “going to Camp in the morning”

We arrived here safe and was padded all right. We are stopping with Minnie tonight and going to Camp in the morning. Continue reading

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Clandeboye Camp: “I think this is the first Sunday that I have ever been away from home all day”

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 … Continue reading

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At Victoria Barracks, Belfast

[From personal note] Nov 1914 At Victoria Barracks, Belfast

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Holywood: “We are for an night attack”

[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 … Continue reading

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Route March: Lurgan-Birches

[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.

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Route March: Birches-Loughgall

[From personal notes] Saturday To Loughgall via Church hill. Stayed in Rock Tavern (with Band) over week end.

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Route March: Loughgall

[From personal notes] Sunday Service in Loughgall Parish Church

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“This is part of Loughgall. Perhaps Mother would know it.”

[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 … Continue reading

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Route March: Armagh

[From personal notes] Monday + Tuesday Armagh City

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Route March: Armagh-Richhill

[From personal notes] Wednesday Afternoon marched to Richhill via Hamiltonsbawn. Stayed in Home of Wm. McNally.

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Route March: Tynan-Newtown Hamilton

[From personal notes] Friday From Tynan via Keady to N.T. [Newtown] Hamilton. Stayed at the Home of Messrs Fallow.

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Route March: Bessbrook

[From personal notes] Sunday Service in Bessbrook Church

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Route March: Bessbrook-Poyntzpass

[From personal notes] Monday From Bessbrook to Poyntzpass via Doctor’s Hill and Drumbanagher Castle. Stayed at home of J.B. Small

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Route March: Poyntzpass-Markethill

[From personal notes] Tuesday From Poyntzpass to Markethill via Tyrone Ditches and Glenanne, stayed Rev. Moore’s Manse.

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Route March: Markethill-Tandragee

From personal notes Wednesday From Markethill to Tandragee, via Clare, Laurelvale, stayed at Main Street at home of some Dressmakers

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Recruiting March: Co. Monaghan

[From personal notes] Took part in Recruiting March through County Monaghan, terminating at Castleblayney, lasting 1 week.

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Newtownards: “It is simply lovely now like the summer time”

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 … Continue reading

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Newtownards: ” We are all getting our photos take in Batt tomorrow”

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 … Continue reading

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Training: “I expect it will be a very big day in Belfast tomorrow”

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 … Continue reading

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Belfast: Inspection and March

[From personal notes] Inspection at Malone at Major General Sir Hugh McCalmont K.C.B. followed by a March through the City.

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Promotion to L/Cpl

[From personal notes - date not specific, June 1915] Promoted Lance Corporal Went with Advance Party to Seaforde, Sussex, England

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Seaford: “I was up in Brighton on Saturday. It surely is a lovely place”

[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 … Continue reading

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Aldershot: Royal Inspection

[From personal notes] Inspected to [sic] King George V at Aldershot

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France: “We have got over safe”

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 … Continue reading

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SW Chambers: “John has got much fatter and firmer looking”

[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 … Continue reading

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In Trenches Heburterne Sector

[From personal notes. date not specific - simply marked as Nov] In Trenches Heburterne Sector attached to Gloster [sic] Regt for Instructions

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France: “Nothing but the overwhelming force of men will ever bring the war to a close”

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 … Continue reading

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France: “We are likely to take our Xmas dinner in the trenches this year”

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 … Continue reading

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Board of Docs: “I was put back for further treatment”

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. … Continue reading

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Newtownards: “This place is simply flooded”

“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 … Continue reading

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Newtownards: “I am doing Orderly Sgt this week so I will not have a minute to spare”

“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 … Continue reading

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Le Havre: “All I want is for some of them to write me a few lines now and again”

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 … Continue reading

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France: “Sammie had to go through another operation.  I think his soldiering days are finished”

[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 … Continue reading

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France: “I believe Sam has gone into hospital again”

[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 … Continue reading

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France: “I am sure by this time Jimmy will be away with the Band”

[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 … Continue reading

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France: “the day we get our letter from home is a (Red Letter) day in the history of the soldier out here”

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 … Continue reading

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France: “I do not think I am going back to the Batt yet. Something has turned up for me, but I cannot tell you yet”

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 … Continue reading

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France: Farming: “What a lovely country to live in. I believe I could live here all my life.”

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 … Continue reading

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France: “This is a lovely part of the country and I like it very much.”

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 … Continue reading

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France: “I hope all at home had a pleasant Xmas”

[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.

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

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”

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

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

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.”

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

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

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

[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

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

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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I have been awarded a Bar to my Military Medal

[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

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

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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Birmingham: “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”

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. … Continue reading

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Birmingham: “I have still my leg in splints”

[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 … Continue reading

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Dublin: there have been a lot killed this last while

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 … Continue reading

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Dublin: “the War is finished”

[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 … Continue reading

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