Monday 28 June, 1915
by John Adams
[From personal notes – date not specific, June 1915]
Promoted Lance Corporal
Went with Advance Party to Seaforde, Sussex, England
Monday 12 July, 1915
by John Adams
Seaford Camp, Sussex
[undated, but probably 12 July 1915]
Dear Jimmy
By the time this reaches home you will have both days over you and I hope from my heart that they were good days for you. All the bands in Camp turned out this morning and it would have done you good to think that though we are here we have not forgot the days that are past. There is to be a meeting in the YMCA tonight at 6.30. They are expecting 10-000 Orangemen[?unclear] to be present. You might write me a line after all is over and let me know everything passed off.
J Adams
Friday 30 July, 1915
by Jack
D. Coy
9th Batt. R. Ir. Fus.
Seaford Camp
Sussex
England
[undated]
Dear Mrs Adams
Just a line to let you know I received your letter alright, thanks very much for the same. You need not be expecting a letter from Johnie [sic] for a few days as he has strained his thumb and will not be able to write for some time until the swelling goes down. But he is in the best of health only for that.
We had a big inspection by Lord Kitchener on Tuesday and he was very pleased with the Division. He says if we had our ball-firing over we would be fit to go any place.
I suppose all is going on as usual over there and some people getting married and people dying and all the people working on as usual.
Y here there is not much strange going on here at present we are just fooling about at the same old thing as when we were in Ireland. I have no news to tell you at present but may-be I will have more the next time.
I think I will close for the present. Tell Annie and Jimmie I will send them p-c’s later as I have not time to write them now.
With best love to all
I remain
Your sincere friend
Jack
Date evidence: Lord Kitchener inspected the 36th Ulster Division on Tuesday 27 July 1915. This letter was presumably written a few days afterwards.
Wednesday 18 August, 1915
by John Adams
[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.