Events: Ireland

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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Joined up

Enlisted on the 24th Sept 1914 for Royal Irish Fusiliers, Clandeboye, Co. Down. 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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Christmas Day: Loading hay for the horses

Spend Xmas Day loading Hay for Horses in France at Belfast Docks. From personal notes by John Adams

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Holywood: “Just a line to say we will be home on Sat night”

[postcard showing a group of 18 soldiers bathing/washing by a stream in a steep little valley. Large rocks (possibly haystacks) in the distance. It is not clear if John Adams is one of the 18 or is the photographer. If … Continue reading

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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: Richhill-Tynan

[From personal notes] Thursday From Richhill via Portadown Road, via Armagh, Killylea to Tynan Village. Stayed at the Home of Robert Sleater.

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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: Newtown Hamilton-Bessbrook

[From personal notes] Saturday Main N.T.H [Newtown Hamilton] Road via Belleek to Bessbrook. Week end at Home.

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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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Route March: Portadown-Belfast

[From personal notes] Entrained at Portadown for Belfast

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Holywood: “she made a great deal of me more than any girl I have met on the march”

D Company 9 Batt R. I. Fusiliers Palace Barracks Holywood 22.02.15 My Dear Mother I am sorry that I was so long in writing but I had not time until now. We got back here on Thursday evening from Portadown. … Continue reading

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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: “you may be sure that if we can get we will be home”

D Company 9 Batt R. I. Fusiliers Newtownards 27.03.15 My Dear Mother Just a line to say that I received your letter this morning. I am sorry that you are not getting better but maybe when the good weather you … 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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Newtownards: “None of us knows what the future holds for us”

D Coy, 9th R. I. Fus, N. T. Ards [undated letter, messier than the others, apparently pre-deployment, possibly May 1915] Dear Mother Just a line hoping it still finds youse all enjoying good health, as this leaves me in the … 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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Jennie: ” They say their shirts are just living and they are over run with rats”

Church Hill Holywood Co. Down 22 Dec. 1915 My Dear Mother This is just a wee line to say I am sending you these things. I’m sorry I have not got more to send. I hope this wee shawl will … 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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Tipperary: “There is no chance of me getting home for Xmas”

Royal Irish Fusiliers, No 1 Company A Block, Irish Command Depot, Tipperary Sunday 17.12.16 My Dear Mother Just a few lines hoping they will find yourself and all at home enjoying good health. As this leaves myself in the same … 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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Newtownards: “If all is well may be home on Sat”

[postcard: Cave Hill and Belfast Castle] [to Mrs John Adams, Lisadian] 16.03.17, N’Ards Dear Mother Just a card hoping it will find all at home in good health. If all is well may be home on Sat but I do … Continue reading

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Jeanie: “The waves are very big today”

[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 … Continue reading

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Jimmy: “I suppose Johnnie has gone by now”

[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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A mother’s anguish: “Dear Johnnie if you are able to speak ask some one to write to me.”

Context This letter was written after John Adams mother, Mary Adams, had received the telegram from the War Office. Lisadian, Whitecross, Co Armagh 5th Oct 18 My Dear Johnnie It is with a sorry heart I write to say I … Continue reading

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Dublin: “This is the hospital I am in”

Postcard showing Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin. Postmark 26 Oct 1918, Dublin Dear Mother This is the hospital I am in. I wrote to you today. Hoping to hear from you soon. I am going on alright. Will [write] later on. … 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: “I am going on alright and will soon be able to walk about again”

St Patrick’s Ward Mater Hospital Dublin 30.10.18 My Dear Mother Just a few lines in answer to your ever welcome letter of today. Am I am glad to know that all at home are still in good health. I am … 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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Dublin: “They are sending all North Men down to Belfast”

15.11.18 St Patrick’s Ward Mater Hospital Dublin My Dear Mother Just a few lines n answer to your ever welcome letter which I received alright this morning and I am glad to know that all at home are still in … Continue reading

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Belfast: “Tell Jimmy if he thinks of buying a new pair of boots I shall buy those that he has”

[undated – probably 18.11.18 – see letter 15.11.18] Ward 7 Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast My Dear Mother Just a line tonight to say I have arrived safe in Belfast. We left Dublin today at 1 o’clock and got here about … Continue reading

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Belfast: “I am still able to walk about”

20.11.18 Ward 7 Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast My Dear Mother Just a few lines in answer to your ever welcome letter of today. And I am glad to know that all at home are still enjoying their usual good health … Continue reading

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Belfast: “I got back safe”

Postcard showing Castle Junction, Belfast. Dated 04.01.19, Belfast Dear Mother Just a line to say I got back safe. I am sorry I was so long in writing, but I shall write to you tomorrow and explain. Johnnie.

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Belfast: “I wonder if Jimmy intends to go to that Dance”

Royal Victoria Hosp Belfast 14.01.19 My Dear Mother Just a few lines in answer to your every welcome letter of today. 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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Belfast: Discharged

Discharged from Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. From personal notes. Presumably demobbed very soon afterwards.

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