November 1918

Wednesday 13 November, 1918  by

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 on people…at present. Today is…the day the Germans…on the 21st March. …do you think of the …reached up last night…the War is finished aft[er]…Well I do not think …to say I am sorry…not. But when I hear[d]…news I thanked…I was spared to …it safe. I just…paper of a going…had been out from…killed by a stray…before peace was…I think that was…luck. I received…alright today. And …from Jennie. Well…I was so long in …expecting every day …week to go to Belfast…have been talking…all North men to be…I do not know when… or if we go at all…when of all the …home. But there is a lot of deaths in Dublin. I never go out but I meet 8 and 9 friends in one day. And there was some slight riots in the city last night. And a few people injured. I am sorry to hear of Annie being ill, but I hope she is got alright again. Miss Gardiner was not expected to get better but she is up and able to move about again. There has been not cases amongst the soldiers in Dublin yet that I have heard of.

Well I think this is all at present. Please forgive me for being so long in writing to you.

Goodbye
Your loving son
Johnnie

PS In this cutting Sir D Haig is speaking of the Retreat of the 21st March. And also of the (36) Ulster Division and is for Jimmy. I shall always remember those times when we were fighting the Germans 3-to-1.

in 1918 - Wounded / 2010 upload / Ireland / Letter 0 comments
Friday 15 November, 1918  by

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 good health. I hope Annie has got alright again. I am sorry I have been so long in writing but we have been waiting this last week for to go to Belfast. And as I was expecting to go every day I did not write. They are sending all North Men down to Belfast. We go on Monday. So you need hardly write again until I send you my address in Belfast. I shall write to you as soon as I get there. I am going on alright. I shall soon be well enough to leave hospital.

I am sure you were glad to hear the news of an armistice being signed. It has caused some little disturbances in Dublin, but I do not think it will come to anything.

I think this is all now.

Goodbye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie

in 1918 - Wounded / Ireland / Letter 0 comments
Monday 18 November, 1918  by

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 5.30. I am still going on alright and I hope so are you and all at home. I hope Annie has got alright again and that Jimmy is still keeping well.

I am glad to be in Belfast once more. The weather is lovely at present and I do hope it may continue as it is most pleasant. Tell Jimmy if he thinks of buying a new pair of boots I shall buy those that he has. I do not like paying so much money for a new pair for 7 or 8 days at home. But I do not like going about in those heavy ones. Tell him to write and tell me if he will sell them to me. And if he does he can send them to me while I am in hospital.

Well this is only a line tonight to let you know where I am. Hoping to hear from you soon.

I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie

in 1918 - Wounded / Ireland / Letter 0 comments
Wednesday 20 November, 1918  by

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 as this leaves myself going on alright at present. I am still able to walk about and we are allowed out here from 2pm to 7pm every day. The weather is lovely at present.

Well Mother I thank you very much for what you sent to me. It was very good of you. I shall get along alright without the boots until I get home. I [do] not know how long I may be here, but I shall do my best to be home for Xmas.

I hope Annie is still keeping better and that Jimmy is going on alright.

Well I think this is all now. So I will now close thanking you again for the money.

Goodbye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie

in 1918 - Wounded / Ireland / Letter 0 comments