Postmark: Newtownards, 17th June 1915
D. Company
9th R.I. Fus
N.T.ards
Dear Mother,
Just a line to say that we have got back alright on Tuesday night. I hope Annie and Jimmy got back home safe. I am sorry that I was so long in writing but I had not time until now. This is all now. Will write later.
Your loving son,
John
Postcard shows:
“Grey Abbey”: an image of a large set of ruins. See on Google Maps.
D Coy, 9th R. I. Fus, N. T. Ards
[undated letter, messier than the others, apparently pre-deployment, possibly 19 June 1915 based on references in the letter]
Dear Mother
Just a line hoping it still finds youse all enjoying good health, as this leaves me in the same here at present. I hope Annie and Jimmy got home all right from Newry. There was not a big crowd at the station this time. We are confined to camp since we came back on the Flying Galamm [?!] and I suppose will until we are shifted from here. And I don’t think that will be long now as far as I hear Sunday week at the latest. It may be a good while until we are all at home again and we may all expect changes for they are bound to come. None of us knows what the future holds for us. But let us all hope for the best. There will be no chance of seeing Jennie again before we move and there would be no use of her coming over here again for it would do none of us any good. I will write and tell Jimmy if we go by the main line if I get any word about it. I think this is all now.
Hoping to hear from you soon.
I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
Excuse this scribble as I am in a hurry.
You might tell Jimmy to write now and again to tell us how he is getting on.
This is all now. It is well it was not away.
[postcard]
27.06.15
My Dear Mother
Just a line to say that I am still here. But by the time that you get this we will be on the road from here. We are going by the main line but we will hardly stop at any of the stations. There is 60 of us going on the Advance Party. The rest of the Batt. will not shift until Weds or Thursday. I hope youse are all keeping in good health as this leaves me in the same here at present. I will write to you as soon as I get settling down. I think this is all now as we are still packing up. I remain your loving son. With best love to all at home. J. Adams.
[From personal notes – date not specific, June 1915]
Promoted Lance Corporal
Went with Advance Party to Seaforde, Sussex, England