Telegram: “Dangerously ill…gunshot wound at right thigh”

John Adams was wounded in the right thigh by shrapnel on 30 September 1918 during action at Dadizeele near Ypres. This was the final action in the Ypres area before the end of the War. Further detail on this action at Dadizeele is found in the War Diaries of the 9th (North Irish Horse) Bn, Royal Irish Fusiliers. See entries from 29/9/18 onwards.

This letter was written after John Adams mother, Mary Adams, had received the following telegram from the War Office:

War Office Telegram

To: Mrs Mary Ann Adams, Lisadian, Whitecross, Co. Armagh

Regret to report war office wires
13971 Sergeant John Adams 9th
Irish Fus dangerously ill at 3rd Aus
cas clearing station France 1st October
gun shot wound at right thigh regret
permission to visit cannot be granted
Records Dublin

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 got the sad news on yesterday to say that you were wounded. But I hope and trust in God that you will get better and that He will be with you and help you to bear the pain that you will have to suffer for I know it will be hard to bear. God is able to take care of you over there as well as here and Dear Johnnie if you are able to speak ask some one to write to me and tell me how you are. We wired back to the War Office but we got no word. We all send our kind love to you. May God in Heaven be with you my Son.

Ever your
Loving Mother

Mary Adams