France: “I am sorry to hear of W McKnight”

[YMCA paper]
[to Mrs J Adams, Lisadian]

7388 Lce Cpl T Davidson
Roy. Innis. Fusrs.
Caserne Traupel [Traupel Barracks]
Rouen
France

31.12.14

Dear Aunt

Just a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome letter, which I received alright and was pleased to see by it that youse are all enjoying good health. As for myself I am still enjoying the usual health and you know it has always been good, thank God for it. I am also pleased to hear of John getting home for a few days although it might be a while before he comes out here, and perhaps he may not have to come at all, but if he does I might see him somewhere. You might let me know what Regiment he belongs to and the date he expects to come out on.

I suppose he is the only one from about there that he knows, coming out. I am sorry to hear of W McKnight but as you say I must have been in the hospital for was talking to him the day before I got wounded and he was in good spirits and healthy. We were talking about you and all the people I knew around that way. I was asking him if he knew John and James. I will try and find out all about him although it will be difficult as those who were beside him might be away themselves. If you see them you might give them my heart-felt sympathy hoping they will soon get over their sad bereavement.

And as you say it was a dull Xmas. We will live with God’s help to enjoy a better one next year. I have not much more to say at present. Hoping this finds youse all in good health, I will close by bidding youse all good bye to I hear from you. Wishing youse all a prosperous New Year 1915.

From your ever loving nephew
T Davidson

[William McKnight was John Adams’s cousin, killed in 1914 – reference: History of Kingsmills Presbyterian Church. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial near Ypres.]