Comments for Letters from the Front http://johnadams.org.uk/letters My Grandfather's Letters 1914-1919 Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:59:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Comment on Battle of the Somme by Des Carswell http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/battle-of-the-somme/comment-page-1/#comment-19474 Des Carswell Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:59:57 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=856#comment-19474 I have read John’s well written and very moving letters and commend the work that has been done in bring them to the notice of the everyone. Thank you very much for that. My grandfather 9315 John Carswell while a regular soldier fought in the Great War and was wounded and captured on 9 May 1915 spending the remainder of the war as a prisoner of war in Germany and finally in Holland. This brother-in-law 3010 Tommy Crawford was sadly not so lucky and was killed om 1 July 1916.
Both lived in Belfast and grew up in the streets of the Grosvenor Road. John and his wife Lizzie later had five boys and one daughter. John Died in 1944 and Lizzie in 1967. Thank yopu again for your contribution. Des Carswell

]]> Comment on Holywood: “she made a great deal of me more than any girl I have met on the march” by John Adams http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/holywood-she-made-a-great-deal-of-me-more-than-any-girl-i-have-met-on-the-march/comment-page-1/#comment-9657 John Adams Fri, 05 Oct 2012 17:14:57 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=216#comment-9657 Sorry Christine, I don’t have any information on either of those men.

]]> Comment on Holywood: “she made a great deal of me more than any girl I have met on the march” by Christine http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/holywood-she-made-a-great-deal-of-me-more-than-any-girl-i-have-met-on-the-march/comment-page-1/#comment-9599 Christine Wed, 03 Oct 2012 07:08:18 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=216#comment-9599 I am doing my family tree and am looking for any informatin regarding John Jones or John Jackson who was at Holywood in 1915.
Please if you have any information regarding my grandfather I would greatly appreciate it. Many thanks Christine

]]> Comment on Adams Family Background by John Adams http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/home/adams-family/comment-page-1/#comment-6678 John Adams Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:18:21 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/#comment-6678 Hi Joyce, thanks for commenting. As far as I know we have no connections to Adams’ in Fermanagh, sorry.

]]> Comment on Bangor: “There is a lot of Holywood people down here” by Holywood Online http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/bangor-there-is-a-lot-of-holywood-people-down-here/comment-page-1/#comment-6658 Holywood Online Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:45:47 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=20#comment-6658 nice to see a reference to Holywood Co Down on this very interesting site. Some very moving reads indeed.

]]> Comment on Adams Family Background by Joyce Adams http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/home/adams-family/comment-page-1/#comment-6621 Joyce Adams Sat, 24 Mar 2012 01:56:27 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/#comment-6621 Have you found any connections to the ADAMS family from Fermanagh?

My ADAMS family was also from N. Ireland. My John ADAMS b. c1810 > James ADAMS b. c1835 Fermanagh m. Alice and had two known sons William E. & James ADAMS. There are most likely additional children that I have not located yet.

This James ADAMS b. 3/1869 m. Sarah NOLAN and his brother William E. ADAMS b. 6/1888

I have additional info. on the above families. Contact me at scritters@cox.net

]]> Comment on Bangor: “There is a lot of Holywood people down here” by John Caruth http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/bangor-there-is-a-lot-of-holywood-people-down-here/comment-page-1/#comment-5830 John Caruth Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:08:36 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=20#comment-5830 Ps … I feel into that pond on many occasions as a child and was lucky to survive from drowning!

]]> Comment on Bangor: “There is a lot of Holywood people down here” by John Caruth http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/bangor-there-is-a-lot-of-holywood-people-down-here/comment-page-1/#comment-5829 John Caruth Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:07:33 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=20#comment-5829 I own a similiar postcard to this one … mine is in colour and the man you have here looking down on the scene is next standing beside the person sitting by the pond. My postcard was posted in August 1926 was was addressed to a Miss Margaret Green in Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

]]> Comment on Clandeboye Camp: “I think this is the first Sunday that I have ever been away from home all day” by John Adams http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/clandeboye-camp-i-think-this-is-the-first-sunday-that-i-have-ever-been-away-from-home-all-day/comment-page-1/#comment-5002 John Adams Sun, 18 Dec 2011 21:16:07 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=423#comment-5002 Hi Christopher, thanks for your question. My grandfather wasn’t stationed on Lough Swilly in 1914, but his cousin T Davidson was. He was with Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

John

]]> Comment on Clandeboye Camp: “I think this is the first Sunday that I have ever been away from home all day” by Chris Kealy http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/clandeboye-camp-i-think-this-is-the-first-sunday-that-i-have-ever-been-away-from-home-all-day/comment-page-1/#comment-5001 Chris Kealy Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:51:36 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=423#comment-5001 Hello – did J Adams mention anything in his letters home about being stationed around Lough Swilly in October 1914 ? If he did, did he happen to mention whether a small detachment of men from the 1st Btn. of his regiment, which had been fighting in France, had joined them ? I would be very interested to know. Thanks Chris Kealy

]]> Comment on Paisley: “We are sick of rain now.” by John Adams http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/paisley-we-are-sick-of-rain-now/comment-page-1/#comment-4507 John Adams Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:52:06 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=16#comment-4507 The 12th parades certainly continued in 1915 – including the one from LOL 47 in Hamiltonsbawn (where John Adams later settled in 1926).

]]> Comment on Telegram: “Dangerously ill…gunshot wound at right thigh” by John Adams http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/telegram-dangerously-illgunshot-wound-at-right-thigh/comment-page-1/#comment-4506 John Adams Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:49:58 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=22#comment-4506 Sorry Glenn, I don’t know. Try the Great War Forums or have a look at the 9th Batt’s Great War Diary.

]]> Comment on Adams Family Background by John Adams http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/home/adams-family/comment-page-1/#comment-4505 John Adams Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:49:37 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/#comment-4505 Hi Mike. I’m afraid we don’t have any record of relatives in the Mullavilly area – or anywhere in North Armagh. I believe that my family was settled in Lisadian, near Whitecross, from around the mid 1800s, and I think there is a family rumour that they moved there from Co. Cavan. However I have no documentary evidence for any of this. I understand that the Adams family was probably from somewhere in SW Scotland (but again, I have no documentary evidence).

]]> Comment on Medals in the Battalion by John Adams http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/medals/medals-in-the-battalion/comment-page-1/#comment-4504 John Adams Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:46:57 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/#comment-4504 Sorry Clive, I don’t know. Try the Great War Forums or have a look at the 9th Batt’s Great War Diary.

]]> Comment on Adams Family Background by John Adams http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/home/adams-family/comment-page-1/#comment-3982 John Adams Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:21:32 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/#comment-3982 He ended the war as an Acting Company Sergeant Major, but was a Sergeant from around 1917 onwards.

]]> Comment on Medals in the Battalion by clive higginson http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/medals/medals-in-the-battalion/comment-page-1/#comment-3907 clive higginson Fri, 22 Jul 2011 21:11:23 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/#comment-3907 Was there a Private David Mc Grann No 7963 from the 9th Battalion who won the MM?

]]> Comment on 9th Batt Royal Irish Fusiliers by clive higginson http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/home/9th-batt-royal-irish-fusiliers/comment-page-1/#comment-3906 clive higginson Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:24:50 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/#comment-3906 Even though we are told by historians that the army commanders who planned the Somme Offensive expected a walk over, it is very noticible that none of the Company Serjeant Majors of the 9th Battalion were permitted to go over the top. It would appear that someone didnt share their optimism and that the CSMs were being held back to ressurect the slaughtered battalion.

]]> Comment on Adams Family Background by Liberty Collins http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/home/adams-family/comment-page-1/#comment-3904 Liberty Collins Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:28:46 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/#comment-3904 I have found the letters extremely helpful and interesting to read, however it would be nice to know what rank John Adams held? if possible, thankyou,
Liberty

]]> Comment on Adams Family Background by Mike Adams http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/home/adams-family/comment-page-1/#comment-3758 Mike Adams Wed, 15 Jun 2011 03:11:32 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/#comment-3758 Hi John,

My name is Mike Adams and I am from Charleston, SC. Around 1852, my great, great grandfather Samuel Adams, Jr (born 1838) immigrated to the US from Mullavilly, Armagh. I was searching for any clues when I came across your site. Do you know of any family that used to live in North Armagh? Do you know if your Adams family was of English or Scottish extraction? We have lost most of the family traditions here in the US.

Thanks,

Mike

]]> Comment on Telegram: “Dangerously ill…gunshot wound at right thigh” by G Barclay http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/telegram-dangerously-illgunshot-wound-at-right-thigh/comment-page-1/#comment-3633 G Barclay Thu, 19 May 2011 10:18:49 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=22#comment-3633 I believe that a Willie Atchison was part of this Battalion. cCan anyone confirm this further?

]]> Comment on Bordon Camp: “Let us all pray that we may all meet in a happier place when all wars will have ceased” by Lachlan Gow http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/bordon-camp-let-us-all-pray-that-we-may-all-meet-in-a-happier-place-when-all-wars-will-have-ceased/comment-page-1/#comment-3600 Lachlan Gow Sat, 07 May 2011 07:40:40 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=4#comment-3600 Nice site ! My Great-Uncle, S9365 L/Cpl David Elder Robertson, B Coy, 8th Batt Black Watch was in the same brigade and division, 26th Bde, 9th Scottish Div, as Ian Burt above. David joined up in his home-town, Musselburgh, Midlothian, on 2nd June 1915 and went to the depot/training company in Bordon Camp (the 9th Div had gone to the Western Front by this time). I have a photo of him during his training at Bordon. By early October 1915, he was trained and wearing a stripe and was off to join the battalion near Zonnebeke. I have some of his letters written between 26 Sept 1915 and December 1916 which read similar in content and feeling to your quoted letter. David missed Loos, but took part in the division’s Somme battles, including Longueval. In 1917 he took part in the Arras battles and sometime after 3.45am on Thursday 3rd May 1917, he was killed near the jumping off position called Cuba Trench, during the disastrous assault (3rd Scarpe) on Greenland Hill, near Roeux.

The last letter I have dated December 1916 sounds fatalistic. In earlier letters he had used gaurdedly-hopeful phrases like “if I am spared” and “I hope to see you”, but in the last letter I have he writes “…if I go under well I wont be the first. Many sons have gone before. France is a fair graveyard. The Kaiser has a lot on his head”.

Best regards

Lachlan

]]> Comment on France: “I suppose by this time you will think me dead.” by Letter John R Adams in 1987 | Letters from the Front http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/france-i-suppose-by-this-time-you-will-think-me-dead/comment-page-1/#comment-2687 Letter John R Adams in 1987 | Letters from the Front Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:40:11 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=11#comment-2687 [...] letter dated 13.05.16 detailing how he was wounded, also a letter dated 07.07.16. (He was offered a job in the Depot as a [...]

]]> Comment on Munster, Germany: “I have not got any letters since we were captured on 27th March.” by France: Meets Rev. Paton of Downshire Road, Newry. | Letters from the Front http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/munster-germany-i-have-not-got-any-letters-since-we-were-captured-on-27th-march/comment-page-1/#comment-1792 France: Meets Rev. Paton of Downshire Road, Newry. | Letters from the Front Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:37:46 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=21#comment-1792 [...] village they are in another, so that is how we miss them. Harry Whiteside is a Sgt Major now, and Willie Lockart is still a Sgt. The Newtown [Hamilton] fellows are two villages from us. I think I must draw to a [...]

]]> Comment on A mother’s anguish: “Dear Johnnie if you are able to speak ask some one to write to me.” by M McCarthy http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/a-mothers-anguish-dear-johnnie-if-you-are-able-to-speak-ask-some-one-to-write-to-me/comment-page-1/#comment-1139 M McCarthy Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:09:33 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=23#comment-1139 Beautiful website. Very moving letters and wonderful to have it documented like this on a website so the memories you have, can be shared with everyone… Thank you.

]]> Comment on Bordon Camp: “Let us all pray that we may all meet in a happier place when all wars will have ceased” by ian r burt http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/bordon-camp-let-us-all-pray-that-we-may-all-meet-in-a-happier-place-when-all-wars-will-have-ceased/comment-page-1/#comment-700 ian r burt Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:02:33 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=4#comment-700 A very interesting site for me. My father was at Bordon in early 1915 with the 5th Camerons and served throughout the war at Loos, Delville Wood, Roeux (Arras), and in the Ypres Salient. I read recently that there is now only one BEF survivor – very sad!

Best Wishes
IRB

]]> Comment on Munster, Germany: “I have not got any letters since we were captured on 27th March.” by olve nelson http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/munster-germany-i-have-not-got-any-letters-since-we-were-captured-on-27th-march/comment-page-1/#comment-47 olve nelson Tue, 21 Nov 2006 21:37:31 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=21#comment-47 This letter always brings a lump to my throat even though Willie (my gandfather) died almost 40 years ago. We have only recently found out details of what Granda did in the war. He started out in the North Irish Horse well before the war started and went to France in 1914. He was later captured at the Battle of St Quentin in April 1918. Thankfully he returned home when war ended.

]]> Comment on France: “I do not believe the Germans has made the bullet that is to kill me yet.” by olive nelson http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/france-i-do-not-believe-the-germans-has-made-the-bullet-that-is-to-kill-me-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-5 olive nelson Tue, 15 Nov 2005 21:39:05 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=5#comment-5 I have not rceived a copy of Granda’s letter as yet. Did you send it? If not I have a new computer which is state of the art (curtesy of my employers!!) Maybe you could e-mail it to me and I can print it off. Regards Olive

]]> Comment on Paisley: “We are sick of rain now.” by Rog http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/paisley-we-are-sick-of-rain-now/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Rog Tue, 15 Nov 2005 20:33:02 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=16#comment-31 Many parades on the 12th were, indeed cancelled as a result of the Somme losses on the 1st July (the original date of the Battle of the Boyne, before calendar reform).

]]> Comment on Telegram: “Dangerously ill…gunshot wound at right thigh” by johnadams.org.uk http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/telegram-dangerously-illgunshot-wound-at-right-thigh/comment-page-1/#comment-49 johnadams.org.uk Sun, 06 Nov 2005 16:57:14 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=22#comment-49 [...] A telegram from the War Office informing his mother that he was wounded in October 1918, and his mother’s anguished response. [...]

]]> Comment on France: “I suppose by this time you will think me dead.” by johnadams.org.uk http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/france-i-suppose-by-this-time-you-will-think-me-dead/comment-page-1/#comment-19 johnadams.org.uk Sun, 06 Nov 2005 16:56:23 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=11#comment-19 [...] Being wounded 6 weeks before the Battle of the Somme, where many of his battalion were killed. [...]

]]> Comment on France: “The Germans kept quiet all day on Easter Sunday.” by johnadams.org.uk http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/france-the-germans-kept-quiet-all-day-on-easter-sunday/comment-page-1/#comment-17 johnadams.org.uk Sun, 06 Nov 2005 16:55:27 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=10#comment-17 [...] Easter Sunday 1916 – in the front line while meanwhile, back in Dublin… [...]

]]> Comment on France: “I do not believe the Germans has made the bullet that is to kill me yet.” by johnadams.org.uk http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/france-i-do-not-believe-the-germans-has-made-the-bullet-that-is-to-kill-me-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-4 johnadams.org.uk Sun, 06 Nov 2005 16:54:46 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=5#comment-4 [...] About to go up to the front line for the first time in January 1916 [...]

]]> Comment on Telegram: “Dangerously ill…gunshot wound at right thigh” by Letters from the Front » A mother’s anguish http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/letters/telegram-dangerously-illgunshot-wound-at-right-thigh/comment-page-1/#comment-48 Letters from the Front » A mother’s anguish Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:30:22 +0000 http://johnadams.org.uk/letters/?p=22#comment-48 [...] 05-10-1918 : Telegram from the War Office [...]

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