Born in 1890, John Adams was 23 when he joined up in September 1914. He served with the 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, was involved in many significant events on the Western Front, particularly Passchendaele. He was wounded twice, and awarded the Military Medal twice. He was discharged in 1919, while still recovering from his injuries.
He later went on to serve in the Ulster Special Constabulary in Co. Armagh from 1922 until retirement in 1952, and was awarded the MBE in 1952.
[Postcard showing: A Cosy Corner. “How fair the rural scene”]
[Addressed to Mrs J Adams, Lisadian]
[Postmarked Belfast 23 Sept 1914]
We got here alright. Minnie met us in the station & took us home with her. We are stopping with her tonight. Tell A & J I will write later.
J. C. [?]
[on the way to enlist]
[Postcard showing Fountains Abbey]
[Addressed to Mrs J Adams, Lisadian]
[Postmarked, Belfast 23 Sept 1914]
We arrived here safe and was padded all right. We are stopping with Minnie tonight and going to Camp in the morning. Will write later.
J.A.
[on his way to enlist]
From John Adams’ personal note
Enlisted on the 24th Sept 1914 for Royal Irish Fusiliers, Clandeboye, Co. Down.
The 9th (Service) Battalion (County Armagh) was formed in Belfast in September 1914 from the Armagh, Monaghan and Cavan Volunteers. Came under orders of 108th Brigade in 36th (Ulster) Division.
C Company
7 Batt RIF
Clandyboye Camp
Co. Down
Sept 1914
[probably 27th Sept 1914 – first Sunday after John Adams enlisted 24 Sept. Very possibly his first letter home of WW1]
Dear Mother
Just a line hoping it will find you all in good health as it leaves us in the same at present. I think this is the first Sunday that I have ever been away from home all day and it’s very hard to say when I may be back for we are going to get the shift from here as soon as we get our uniform and I do not know when we may get home.
There is an awful lot of UV here and youse need not be afraid of so long as they are on the top of the earth. I wish you would hear them singing at night all the Orange songs of the day. We had Sir E Carson and the wife here yesterday and they inspected our lines. It is a wonderful life this we have to things here that we would not like to do at home. It is a queer change when Jimmie and I could not lie together 16 of us lying together here. Every man has to lie on his side and you can not turn to right or left but you need not think by telling you this that I do not like [it] for I fairly enjoy it.
And there is a lot here that we know. We see S Moffat every day and S Crozier boy [?] too. As soon as he heard that we were here he come to see us. And he sent a PC to Jennie in Hollywood [sic] as I did not know the address. We have a sergeant stopping in the tent with us and he is great fun. You might not care what you said to him as long as you were not on parade. But it is very hard to watch the Officers all for they are still knocking about.
You may excuse this scribble as we are writing on the grass so it is not very level. But if we were in the Barracks we would be al right. They were saying around here that we are for Portsmouth [?] and from that to Egypt but it might be some time to that yet.
I hope you will get this before you write as I sent the wrong address. But if you have it does not matter. You can tell all round there that I was asking for them. I hope Mrs McCombe is better now. You may tell Jimmie [that] they are starting a Number in the North Antrims. We had a great Church Parade today. I think this is all. Remember me to all at home.
I remain
Your loving son
J Adams
Postmarked: 21 Oct 1914 Bangor, Co. Down
Dear Mother
I received your letter alright. I am sorr J has the cold. I am very afraid he would not stick this long. We are just in from a route march to Helen’s Bay and it has rained the whole way home. You need not think because I don’t write often that I have forgotten you but sometimes I have nothing to write about. We may put in a pass for Sunday week if we get away. Both our [arms?] are better and we are in the best of health. I think this is all now.
I remain your son
J. A.
Postcard shows painting of soldier and elderly mother as soldier bids farewell to her to join his comrades. “Duty and Honour Bid us Part”.
Postmark: Clandeboye Camp, date unknown
[faint postmark and location suggests early – possibly October 1914]
Dear Mother
Just a line to say that if all goes well you may expect us home on Sat. We are going home by Loughgilly with Sam Porter. He is getting George to meet us with the car, but it might be late when we are home and will have to go away again on Sunday night. But it will be better than nothing. I think this is all to we meet again. I remain your loving son,
John Adams
Postcard shows:
“Helen’s Tower, Clandeboye, Co. Down
Built by the late Marquis of Duferin, in memory of his mother, in the year 1850.
Helen’s Tower, here I stand
Dominant over sea and land
Son’s love built me, and I hold
Mother’s love engraved in gold.
Love is in and out of time,
I am mortal stone and time;
Would my granite girth were strong
As either love to last as long!
I should wear my crown entire
To and thro’ the Doomsday fire
And be found of angel eyes
In earth’s recurring Paradise.
-Alfred Tennyson”
A view of Helen’s Tower, which flies a large flag with horizontal stripes (blue, white red, from top to bottom). [no such flag appears on http://www.flags.net/search.php]
[From personal note]
Nov 1914
At Victoria Barracks, Belfast
Spend Xmas Day loading Hay for Horses in France at Belfast Docks.
From personal notes by John Adams
[postcard showing a group of 18 soldiers bathing/washing by a stream in a steep little valley. Large rocks (possibly haystacks) in the distance. It is not clear if John Adams is one of the 18 or is the photographer. If he is in the picture I think he is either 5th from left, leaning, or 3rd from right, in braces, standing.]
[Postmarked Holywood, 29 Jan 1915]
[to Mrs J Adams, Lisadian]
Dear Mother
Just a line to say we will be home on Sat night. Tell J that we will be in Newry at about 5 o’clock. I got your letter alright many thanks. I think this is all until I see you all.
I remain
your loving son
J Adams
[YMCA postcard: HM Forces on Active Service]
[From 13971 Pte J Adams, 9th Batt RIF, D Coy, The Palace Barracks, Holywood, Co. Down
To Mrs J Adams, Lisadian]
Postmarked 02 Feb 1915
Dear Mother,
Just a line today we got back here alright. I was not down seeing J[eannie] yet nor will hardly see her tonight as we are for an night attack. But I will go down to se her before we leave on Thursday. It will be Sunday week before we are the length of Bessbrook, but I think we weill have time to go home on that day. I think this is all now.
I remain
Your loving son
J Adams
You need not write again until you hear from me for I do not know when we will be shifted.
Postmark: Portadown, 4th Feb 1915
Dear Mother,
Just a line hoping it finds you all in good [sic] as this leaves me in the same at present. We are stopping at Portadown tonight and going on to Moy in the morning. We are getting a fine reception everywhere we go. It will be Sunday week before we are in Bessbrook. We are spending the weekend in Loughgall. This is all at present. I will send word when we get that length.
I remain your loving son,
John
Postcard shows:
“It’s a Long, Long Way to Tipperary (1).
Up to mighty London came an Irishman one day,
As the streets are paved with gold, sure ev’ry one was gay;
Singing songs of Piccadilly, Strand and Leicester Square,
Till Paddy got excited, then he shouted to them there:-“
A man (the “Paddy”?) leans on the entrance to a Bakerloo line underground station, while London life, red omnibuses and crowds passing along.
[From personal notes]
Friday
Entrained to Lurgan. Portadown (had mid day meal). Loughgall Road to Red Lion, Drimond [Diamond?], over Cock Hill to Birches (3). Stayed overnight with Widow showed boxes of L.O.L. and R.B.P. which sat there.
[From personal notes]
Saturday
To Loughgall via Church hill*. Stayed in Rock Tavern (with Band) over week end.
*Church Hill – home of the Verner family, site now in Peatlands Country Park.
**Rock Tavern in Loughgall
[From personal notes]
Sunday
Service in Loughgall Parish Church
[Postcard showing Loughgall]
[Addressed to Miss A Adams, Lisadian]
[Postmarked 07 Feb 1915, Loughgall]
Dear Annie
Just a line hoping it finds you in good health as this leaves me in the same here at present. I hope you will come to see us when we get to Bessbrook. This is part of Loughgall. Perhaps Mother would know it.
I Remain
Your loving Bro
J Adams
[From personal notes]
Monday + Tuesday
Armagh City
[From personal notes]
Wednesday
Afternoon marched to Richhill via Hamiltonsbawn. Stayed in Home of Wm. McNally.
[This is what Hamiltonsbawn looked like then. Strange to think that John Adams will have marched past two houses he later lived in after he moved to Hamiltonsbawn in 1926. I wonder if he ever thought about that route march when he was marching along the main street later in life?]
[From personal notes]
Thursday
From Richhill via Portadown Road, via Armagh, Killylea to Tynan Village. Stayed at the Home of Robert Sleater.
[From personal notes]
Friday
From Tynan via Keady to N.T. [Newtown] Hamilton. Stayed at the Home of Messrs Fallow.
[From personal notes]
Saturday
Main N.T.H [Newtown Hamilton] Road via Belleek to Bessbrook. Week end at Home.
[From personal notes]
Sunday
Service in Bessbrook Church
[From personal notes]
Monday
From Bessbrook to Poyntzpass via Doctor’s Hill and Drumbanagher Castle. Stayed at home of J.B. Small
[From personal notes]
Tuesday
From Poyntzpass to Markethill via Tyrone Ditches and Glenanne, stayed Rev. Moore’s Manse.
From personal notes
Wednesday
From Markethill to Tandragee, via Clare, Laurelvale, stayed at Main Street at home of some Dressmakers
[From personal notes]
Entrained at Portadown for Belfast
D Company
9 Batt R.I. Fusiliers
Palace Barracks
Holywood
18.02.15
My Dear Mother
Just a line hoping it finds youse all in good health at home as this leave me in the same here at present. I received four letters and parcel alright. Many thanks for the shirt it is alright. I am glad that you have got some word about the money as it never will come out of time. You were kept a long while out of it. You need not be uneasy about me at all for I am fit to look after myself. You need not think because I said it was a bit rough that I had rued anything I had done. I have not indeed I would do the same thing tomorrow if I thought I would be any use. I see J. nearly every night. She is doing alright.
The weather is very wet but what can you expect at this time of the year. If it gets no worse we will be alright.
All the promotion Sam Moffatt has got yet is not much. He is only a waiter in the Segt Mess and that is not much. It is the first thing that will be his downfall for he will be too near the drink. I think this is all as the pen is very bad.
I remain
Your loving son
J Adams
Postmark: Holywood, 18 Feb 1915
Dear Mother
Just a line to say that we have got back here alright. We got back today. I am sorry that I was so long in writing, but I could not help it. I will write later on.
I remain your loving son,
John Adams
Postcard shows:
“Soldier’s [sic] Home, Holywood”
A large house with Solders Home 1903 embossed on the three front gables. Two men in the frocks of household workers stand in front, facing the camera.
D Company
9 Batt R. I. Fusiliers
Palace Barracks
Holywood
22.02.15
My Dear Mother
I am sorry that I was so long in writing but I had not time until now. We got back here on Thursday evening from Portadown. We had a fine time from we left Bessbrook. I suppose Annie and Jimmie got home alright. What did they think of the RIF? We got our dinner at Major Close’s house that day.
But the best day of all was spent in Tandragee. It was the best night I ever spent. I was stopping in the house where Eva McElney is Dressmaker and she made a great deal of me more than any girl I have met on the march. When I was leaving she gave to silk handkerchief and she has since sent me 2/6 worth of fegs [sic]. I think it was very nice of a strange girl that I may never meet again in this world. For we meet so many in this world in which we live that it is very hard for one to mind them all.
We are starting again on Thursday morning for Co Monaghan for a week there. It will hardly be as good as the one we are just off. I think this is all now. Jenny is well and will write later on. I will write from Cavan to you.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
Evidence from letter of 7 March 1915.
Evidence from letter of 7 March 1915.
Evidence from letter of 7 March 1915.
Postmark: 4 March 1915 Newtownards
Dear Mother
Just a line to say we have got back here again. We had not as good a time as the last but it was very good. I will write you a long letter when I get settled down. You might write and let me know how youse are all getting on. We are shifted to Newtownards now.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
D Company 9 Batt RIF
Newtownards
Co. Down
Postcard shows Church Square, Monaghan. The large Dawson Obelisk stands on the left foreground. A cannon stands in front of it. The church, with a tall spire, stands at the right background. A number of figures are milling about near the cannon, and two horse drawn carts travel along the road.
See the location today on Google Maps.
Evidence from letter of 7 March 1915.
[From personal notes]
Took part in Recruiting March through County Monaghan, terminating at Castleblayney, lasting 1 week.
D Company
9 Batt R I Fusiliers
Newtownards
Sunday 07.03.15
My Dear Mother
Just a line hoping it finds you in good health as this leaves me the same at present. I thought I would have had a letter from you before this. But I hope youse are all well. We had a very good time on the march. We trained it to Clones and stopped one night there. And I saw the place where [they] killed Flaughan. It is locked up since. We then trained it to Ball[y]bay and march Coot[e]hill and then to Monaghan where we stopped for 2 days and then to Castleblany and from that back here.
This is a wonderful place. I saw the place where that young fellow was killed. I think the step father will be hung. And I think he is guilty too.
I think this is all that I have time for now. Remember me to all at home.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
Write soon.
D Company
9 Batt R. I. Fus.
Newtownards
20.03.15
Dear Mother
Just a few lines to say I received your parcel this morning and what was inside. I thank you very much for it. The drawers is alright. I hope I may never worse [?]
The weather is greatly changed this last day. It is simply lovely now like the summer time. It does not be long in changing. I suppose the people are busy at their crops now. They have nearly all in about here now. It is a very early country about here. The ground is very sandy.
Tell Jimmy that I will write to him later and tell him all the news but I have not time now. He might write to me sometimes and tell me how he is getting on. Does ever he be at the Manse working now? I suppose he will put in the garden for Mr Jorrie this year. There’s many a change since last year this time but I hope they are all for the best. I hope the weather will keep like this for us going home. We don’t often get good weather for going home.
I think this is all now. I thank you again for your present.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
D Company
9 Batt R. I. Fusiliers
Newtownards
27.03.15
My Dear Mother
Just a line to say that I received your letter this morning. I am sorry that you are not getting better but maybe when the good weather you will be alright. I said when I wrote to Annie that we were going to be confined to camp, but I think that will not be to after Easter. And I am not giving it for truth but I think that we will be home from Friday to Monday but you need not be too much made up for we might not be home at all. But you may be sure that if we can get we will be home. I think that I will have as much £ and d as will bring me home.
I will write to you again before that and tell you wither I can get home or not. I think this is all now. We are having lovely weather now. I hope it will continue until after Easter.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
D. Company
9 Batt R. I. Fus
Newtownards
17.04.1915
My Dear Mother
Just a line today. I got your parcel this morning and was very thankful to you for what you sent. We are still confined to camp. I was just out once since we came back. There is nothing else that I want just now except if you could get me a box of [Zach Buk??] sometime Jimmy would be in Newry.
I hope you are keeping in good health as the weather is getting good again. We are all getting our photos take in Batt tomorrow. If I can I will get one for you though I may not be seen in it you will know that I am in it somewhere. Did Jimmy get the photos out of Newry yet where we were taken together? There is one for you, one for Mrs Moffatt and Mrs Crozier and there was to be one each sent to us.
I think that is all now. [Praying] we will all be spared to meet again.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
I thank you again for what you sent me. Perhaps you will hardly know now this is. I am sending you this little book.
Tell Annie to write to me now and again. It does one good to hear from home.
D Company
9 Batt R. I. Fus
Newtownards
07.05.15
My Dear Mother.
Just a line to say that I received your letter aright. I am sorry that I was so long in writing but we have been very busy this last few days. I expect it will be a very big day in Belfast tomorrow. We are leaving here at 6 am in the morning. I hope it does not be too warm.
I am glad you like the photo. It is not too well taken. You can see the Captain standing in front of me but I will show you them all when I go home. I will get you the other one too.
We intend going home on tomorrow week if we get and indeed to tell you the truth I would like if you would send me a few shillings before as we might be paid short on that day and the 3 shilling would not take me home. I am sorry to take it off you but if I was not going home I would not need it and it might be a good while [bef]or[e] we get home again and I will not may get the chance of getting any more photos of the Company and I would like to have them if we […] it would keep me in mind of the times we spent together. And if anything would happen to us you would have them to show. Jimmy might just be as well at home for there is going to be a very big crowd. I really wish it was over. It will be none [sic] pleasure for us.
I will write again before I go home. Excuse this writing as I am in a hurry. We are packing up for tomorrow. I think this is all now. I send my best love to all at home.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
Tell Jimmy I will write to him after Sat. I wish you would keep […] Belfast [Telegraph?] for me to I go home […] tomorrow’s parade will all be in it. I will take the other photo home with me as it might get broken sending it by post.
There was a major parade of the 36th Ulster Division through Belfast on 8 May 1915. More details from the Ulster Somme Association.
[From personal notes]
Inspection at Malone at Major General Sir Hugh McCalmont K.C.B. followed by a March through the City.
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
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
No date or postmark [suggest probably start of August 1915 after his thumb strain had healed! ]
Dear Mother,
Just a PC to let you know that I received your parcel alright. Many thanks for them. We are getting on alright. Lord Kitchener was down inspecting us on Tuesday asn is well pleased with the Ulster Division. I do not think we will be long here. We will be going up to Aldershot shortly. I also got the paper. There was a Belfast W. News came to us. I did not see the Markethill meeting in it. I am sending Jimmy this cutting from the Lurgan Mail. He may like to see it. This is all now. I have not time to write a letter. Excuse scribble.
J. Adams
Postcard shows:
“For “King, Queen and Country.” A Soldier’s Letter.”
Photographs of King George V and Queen Mary.
“To My Truest of Pals.
“My Mother.””
A poem set at Seaford Camp, and signed from “John”.
Postmark: Chyngton Camp B.O., Seaford, date unclear, 1915
[estimated date based on a hunch]
Dear Mother
Just a pc hoping it finds youse all in good health. As it leaves me in the same here at present. I had a letter from Tommie [?] today. He seems to be all right. I am sorry this is all I have time for. Will write later on, and tell youse all the news. We are having fine warm weather now. Hoping it continues. […unclear sentence…]
Postcard shows: “My thoughts are with the dear ones at home”: A greatcoated soldier at camp, sitting on a box, smoking his pipe, is thinking of his wife and young baby at home.
Postmark:Chyngton Camp B.O., Seaford, 16 August 1915
[There is an additional mark on the front of the card, showing “11 AM 17 AU”, but the location is not visible].
Dear Jennie,
I received your letter this morning. There is nothing strange here, but I will write later on. Hoping you will have a good time at home. This is all I have time for now.
J. Adams
Postcard shows: “The Esplanade, looking east, Seaford” Pedestrians in Edwardian dress promenade along the front, while some rest on the adjacent benches. A shingle beach, scattered with small boats, fills the right hand side, and a terrace of houses lines the road on the left. In the distance are the headlands and white cliffs of Seaford Head.
See this scene on Google StreetView.
[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.
“D” Company, 9th Roy. Irish Fus., Martinique Barracks, Bordon, Hants, England
11-9-15
My Dear Mother
I received your parcel allright. Many thanks. But indeed I did not expect what you sent, and I am sorry that I passed the remark that I had no stamps, for I think that you wanted and has need of all the money that you get. And my saying that I had no stamps did not mean taht I wanted you to send me any money. But indeed I never thought of the likes: so you might not have thought that I would be angry at you for sending me any more. So you know your self that I would not be angry no matter how little you would send. All I was angry at was you sending any at all. I got the paper it must have been sudden about old John MacCormick was he long sick? But he was an old man. I had a letter from Jenney this morning she says that she has been very busy since she went away from home. I am writing to her also today.
Well dear Mother I may as well tell you the truth: all leave is cancelled, so there is no chance of us getting home again before going out. Which I think will not be long now about the 20th of the month. But I hope this will not make you any worse than what you all. You knew it would come to it sooner or later. So it need not come as a surprise to you any more. And if I do not have the Good Fortune to come back again, let us all pray that we may all meet in a happier place when all wars will have ceased, and there shall be no more trouble or sorrow.
But let me get away from this as it will do none of us any good. And what ever happens let us hope it may be for the best as we are all in a Good Man’s Hand and he knows all our hopes and fears. But thank God if I do not come back all belonging to me can hold their heads up for I have done my duty and shall do so no matter what it may cost me so youse will have nothing to be ashamed of.
This is a lovely part of the country and is great for Route Marching. You would never feel tired on the road.
There is about 20 shops in the village of Bordon which is about 5 minutes from camp and a Picture House. Of course there are all the camp stores built for the men in camp here. The range here was made by German prisoners. And this camp was opened by the Kaiser[?] but I think I told you that before.
I must draw to a close as I am going on duty tonight.
Good bye and may God Bless and take care of youse all
I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
P.S. You might send me Lizzies address as I would like to write to her.
Postmark: Bordon, Hants, 24 September 1915
Dear Mother
We have arrived here safe but tired. I would not do the same journey again for any money. We arrived her at 5.30 on Thursday. Hoping youse are all keeping in good health. Will write later on, excuse this in haste.
J. Adams
Postcard shows High Street, Bordon. A row of shops on the right, with a hairdressers in the foreground. Trees stand on the left of the road, on which a number of men loiter.
You can see the same place on Google StreetView.
No date or postmark. Presumably included in a letter, or posted in an envelope. The inspection by the King mentioned in the cards took place on 30 Sept 1915, a Thursday, so this puts the date of this probably at the beginning of that week, perhaps Monday 27 September 1915, and his location at Bordon, Hampshire. He landed in France, as indicated in the cards, on Monday 04 Oct 1915.
Card 1: “Good-bye, Mother Darling”
Dear Mother,
Just a PC in answer to your letter and card which I received alright. I am sorry this is all I have time for now. We are just in from a rehearsal of the march past which is to take place on Thurs before the King, when he is going to inspect us. The place we have to go to is about 9 miles from here and it rained the whole way home on us, so you may expect we were wet. But we may be worse off before long so we need not complain. Well I got back alright but it was an awful journey. But I sent you a P Card the night we came across. I do not know how it was you did not get it. But I did not post it myself, so that may account for it.
Card 2: “Good-bye, Mother Darling”
I also wrote to Jennie, but she may not have got it either. I hope Jimmy got back alright from the main line. There was a lot of people there that night. There will hardly be as many to see us off to France the day we go away. But then we are leaving England and not Ireland. I will write to you after Thursday but I have not time now as we are gearing up for the Review. I want Jimmy to get them photos as soon as he can as I would like to have them before we leave here. I expect we will be clear of this place on Monday. But I do not [sic] if it is the [Tuesday?]. I think this is all now.
I remain, loving son [sic]
J. Adams
Postcard 1 shows:
“Good-bye, Mother Darling (1)
Mother Darling, I must leave you, there’s a duty to be done;
At the front the battle’s raging, won’t you spare your only son?
From your eye a tear is falling, Mother, have you nought to say?
Bus she bowed her head in silence – ‘twas the price she had to pay.”
A young man, in a civilian suit, bids farewell to his aging mother as he goes to join up.
Postcard 2 shows:
“Good-bye, Mother Darling (4)
Good-bye, Mother darling, good-bye, you make it hard to part;
Battles may rage in the days to come, one takes place now in your heart
Twixt your love and duty, for England is calling your son.
There’s a parting at a cottage door, a battle now is fought and won. “
Mother and son embrace outside the cottage door as he, now in uniform, leaves for war.
[From personal notes]
Inspected to [sic] King George V at Aldershot
[undated]
Southampton
Sunday
My Dear Mother
We have arrived here on our way out. We left Bordon last night at 11.30 arrived here at 2 o’clock and will not leave here until 7 o’clock tonight.
We will get to France sometime at 7.30 tomorrow morning. I sent home a small parcel. I suppose you will get it alright. I hope youse are all keeping in good health, as this leaves me in the best of spirits at present.
Will write as soon as I get time. This is a fine dock. This is where all the soldiers go from to the front. Remember me to Annie and Jimmy. Tell them I will write soon to them.
I remain
Your loving son
[Johnnie]
Date evidence: 9th Bn R.I.F. arrived in France at 6.30 am on 4 October 1915, according to Maj John George Brew’s account.
Landed in France
[From personal note]
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
[From personal notes]
Left Burdon Camp for France. Landed at Le Havre
Somewhere in France
07.10.15
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines to let you know I am still in good health hoping this will find youse all at home the same. We have got over safe. And the people that we are in amongst are very nice and would do anything for us at all. The only thing we cannot get any ciggireets [sic] to buy and I would like very much if you could send me a few and a lighter. Jimmy can get it in Newry for a few pence as we cannot get matches either.
This is all I have time for now. Hoping [Annie] and Jimmy is well. Will write later on.
I remain
Your loving son
John
[on the reverse of the same piece of paper]
D Company
9th Roy. Irish Fusiliers
108 Infantry Bde
36 Ulster Div
Brit Expd Force
France
I received your letter tonight but I had not time to read it before the post. Will answer it later.
Location evidence from Major Brew’s account.
From Blacker’s Letters
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Somewhere in France
23.10.15
My Dear Mother
Just a line to let you know that I am still alive and well. Hoping this finds all at home the same. I received all the parcels that you sent to me. None of them is opened at least I get all you send and many thanks for what you have sent me. Some day I may be able to repay you. We are up here in the trenches these last few days. I am writing this letter on the side of the trench. No less than 5 shells has burst beside me since I started to write. One may get used to rifle bullets and does, but you never can get used to the shells. They make such an awful noise. I hope all at home are well. Tell Jimmy that I will write a long letter as soon as we are relieve[d] for a rest. But thank him from me for the razor. And tell him I shall never forget him for it and to be good to yourself and to thank God for his bed every night he lies down for many a poor fellow out here would give their life for one night in bed. I have to stop now as I have to take my section up to the fire trench again. We were relieve[d] for a few hours. Write soon.
I remain your loving son John
Location information: from Major John George Brew’s account. This was the first week of action that the 9th Bn R.I.F. saw.
[From personal notes. date not specific – simply marked as Nov]
In Trenches Heburterne Sector attached to Gloster [sic] Regt for Instructions
19.11.1915
My Dear Mother
I have a few minutes to myself so I thought I would spend them in writing home. Sometimes I have not time to write a letter but I send a card every week. I got you parcel alright. Many thanks for what you sent to me. But as I said in my card you need not send anything out here in the line of clothes for we get plenty of things out here in the line of shirts or underwear. I hope you are got alright by his time. I think you are felting [fretting] too much and it won’t do you any good for I am alright out here. And if anything happens to me you will have the satisfaction of knowing that I have done whatever I could to keep the Germans back and I think for each man that falls out here there should be two sent out. Nothing but the overwhelming force of men will ever bring the war to a close. And I wonder that anyone can sit at home that can come out here and see this war going on and does not help to bring it to a finish.
I suppose Jimmy is busy every day. Is all the potatoes is all out [?] by this time. The weather is got very wet out here now. Was Tommy up yet or is he home? I suppose he will hardly stop on. He has done his share. When everyone has done as much the war is over. Jack is in good health. Him and I are still together. I think this is all I have tome for now. Hoping it will find all at home in good health as it leaves me in the same here at present.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Postmark: Field Post Office 108, 18 December 1915
Also marked “Passed Censor No. 2524” and appears to be signed by “R. S. Hood”
16-12-15
Dear Mother,
I received your letter last night. Glad to know that you have got quite alright again. Hoping all at home are in their usual good health as this leaves me in the same at present. The weather still keeps wet, but I think it is the same all over. All at present, will write later.
J. Adams
Postcard shows:
“Souvenir from France”: A soldier rests, holding his rifle as a staff and resting his arm on his knee. He dreams of his sweetheart at home, who in turn thinks of him.
19.12.15
Somewhere in France
My Dear Mother
I am sorry that I have been so long in writing to you but I could not help it. I received your letter and card. Many thanks for same. I am glad you liked the little card I send. They are a rare thing out here and we would give any money for them. And I may tell you the French people know how to put their price on them when they know that you want them.
You need not be a bit sorry at not being able to send me any parcel for Xmas for I think I have had my share of them. I had two from Jennie and two from Louis Morton and one from Mrs Meeke and Xmas cards from the world over. I had also a letter from Mr Torrie [?] saying that he had got one of my photos and how glad he was to get it. Also giving me great praises for […] what I call nothing but doing my duty.
Jennie was telling me about that book she sent to you […] got that little piece of paper that is the section that I am in charge of No. 3. Jack is also in it. So we are always together and I hope we may get home together but I am afraid of it this time as I will have to toss up for [it] this time. I do not want to give you too much hope but if all goes and we are spared we might get a race home in the New Year. But its only might no more.
I think Jimmy might write and let me know how all is going on. He did not happen to tell us that they had a dance in Knockavannon in connection with the Black Number. But we got tickets for it out here. I think it would not have done him much harm to have let us know as we used to belong to it at one time.
Today is fine and there is a change for we have had very cold and wet weather this last while. But I believe they are having snow in Warrenpoint and I hope it does not come our way as God knows we are bad enough without it. We are likely to take our Xmas dinner in the trenches this year. But we are as contented as well there as any place else. In fact I would rather be in them as out as the time passes more quickly in them.
I am glad you have got alright again but the weather is against you getting well quickly.
Tell Annie I will write to her soon. I got her card and handkerchief. Many thanks [to] her for the same.
I think I must draw to a close as we are on duty today and I have no more thus you may excuse this scribble. I will write soon again.
I am sending you a little bit of paper with Queen Mary’s own handwriting on it we got in a pair of mittens just as a keepsake from France.
I remain
Your loving son
John Adams
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
BEF Somewhere in France
11.01.16
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines hoping this will find you and all at home in your usual good health as this leaves me in the same here at present. I cannot understand how it was that you have got no letters from me so long as Annie PC says for there I not a week passes that I do not write home, and there must be some mistake that you do not get them. I think this is the third letter that I wrote since Xmas and Annie says that you have got none of them. But you may have got them before this. I hope you are got all right again yourself. I was very sorry to hear that you were so bad with pains but it has been a very severe winter all though. But thank Goodness it has cleared up at last and it’s getting like Spring out here now. I think it comes sooner here than in Ireland.
We are on our way once more to the trenches and have arrived in a little village a short distance of the Firing Line which I expect we shall be in by the time you get this. But do not be in the least alarmed as for our safety as I do not believe the Germans has made the bullet that is to kill me yet at least I believe so at any rate. I had a letter from Jennie and she said also that she had a letter from you tell her that you got no letters from me and also that she had none from me either, and I do wonder where they are going. I believe Mr Chambers and Archer is leaving Holywood to go to America to make there fortunes it is a wonderful thing to be going to do and this terrible war going on. They will have plenty of time for that when this war is over. For I think there will be few men left after it is over the way it is going.
Tell Jimmy I am sorry for anything I said in my last letter. I do not mean all I say but I believe I write home as often as I get any from it. Sometimes I think that youse forget about me out here. You may think long not to get a letter form me but its worst on us out here when we do not hear from home. For at home youse are all there together and in a civilized world. While we are not. And only through letters can we know how things are going on at home. So do not get on to me too much when you as not get a letter from me when you know that I have written.
We are still together and are with J. McCullough who is from Bessbrook and we had a great Xmas together. For we got all sorts of parcels the three of us and the way we messed together they lasted for a long time. I got about 12 parcels myself from all over the country. I got a great parcel from L Morton and also one from Mrs Moody of Tandragee where I stopped when we were on the route march. I think I was telling you about her the time I was home. I also got a great muffler from L Morton through Mrs Hall of Narrow Water who undertook to pay all expenses on Comforts that was sent to any of the Ulster Division from Warrenpoint. So I was very well done for.
I think I must draw to a close hoping once again that you are got all right. Am hoping to hear from you soon again.
I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
B E Force, Somewhere in France
18.01.16
My Dear Mother
I now take the pleasure of writing a few lines hoping they will find yourself and all at home in your usual good health as this leaves me in the same out here at the time of writing. I have got your parcel just now. Many thanks for same, and I had your letter the day before yesterday. Well dear Mother you need not trouble about sending me anything out here as it costs you to much and I may tell you straight we do not want for anything out here as we get an issue of cigarettes every week and the Mount Norris people has been good enough for to forward us another issue. And then we have an Army canteen in the Regt then we can get nearly anything we want. So you need not mind bothering you head about sending me anything out here.
Of course I do not want you to be angry or take anything to you of what I say. I thank you from my heart for what you have sent me out but you have little enough for yourselves without paying the heavy postage that is on at present. I am sure that you were glad to see Jimmy when he came up. Is he much changed or did his wounds affect him in any way. I am sure he did not say much about the times he had. That is not a soldiers way of doing anything.
I had a letter from Jennie telling me about Mr Chambers leaving but I think I named it in my last letter. I am glad you are getting my letters now. I was very sorry when I heard that you were not getting them for there is not a week that passes that I do not write home. But dear Mother so not take it so about the leave. We might land in some night before you know. They do not let everybody out here what they are doing. So do not get down hearted about it.
[has] Johny Elliott come back to live at the crossroads – he does not like to stay long in the one place. The weather has got better now and there is not many out here that will be sorry about that for the wet weather is not very pleasant out here. But no matter we are well hardened to it now. We will be like tarred roofs when we get home. But you need not be uneasy about us for I think the German bullet was is not made yet that is to kill me. So do not say anymore about it.
What is the matter with Davy Patton. I am very afraid there is some of the boys that talked so much would not stand roughing it very long out here. The wet cold weather would kill them if they never saw a German. yes Louie Morton has been good to me. And I would be most ungrateful to her if I would forget her for it, which I have no thought of doing. I think I have not much more to say tonight. Only to thank you again for your parcel. So goodnight and God take care of all at home until we meet again.
I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
Please do not take it ill anything I said in my last letter as I may have been angry at the time.
This is a small mirror for Annie. Tell her she must blow her breath out before she uses it and see the result. I am sorry I have not time to write to her but I shall do so as soon as I get time.
J. Adams
Tell Annie I will write as soon as I get time but I cannot get the time just now as I am writing to Jimmy.
Postmark: Absent
Stamped “Passed Field Censor 2198” and countersigned “DRHood”
27-1-16
Dear Mother
Just a card to say that I received your letter yesterday alright. Glad to know that all at home are still enjoying good health as this leaves myself in the same here at present. I am sorry that I have not time for a letter just now, but I shall do so as soonas I have time. The weather still keeps fairly good and I hope that it continues to do so. No more at present.
I remain your loving son
John
Postcard shows:
“Greetings from France”: an officer and a man from the ranks look wistfully into the distance amongst the conical tents of camp.
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
[Left Mesnil for 2 weeks’ home leave, with 49 other officers and men.
Evidence: Lt Col Stewart Blacker’s letters home (http://blackersletters.com/2016/02/15/tuesday-february-15th/).]
Postmark: London
28 Feb 1916
London, 28-2-16
Dear Mother,
Just a line to say that we have got back safe so far on our way back to France. I hope you are keeping well and that Jimmy got home safe from the station. It seems to have snowed a lot here of late. We leave London at 4 pm and we arrived here at 7.00 this morning so have quite a while to stay here.
Your son,
Johnnie
Postcard shows: “Birds Eye View of London”, with the view dominated by St Paul’s Cathedral’s West Front.
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Somewhere in France
20.3.16
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines to let you know that I am still in good health. Hoping this will find yourself and all at home in the same. I am very sorry that I have been so long in writing to you, but it was not my fault. As we have bee rather busy since I came back. So you cannot have much time to yourself for letter writing. But as you know I send a card at least once a week. And sometimes its all I have time for. Well I got back safe at any rate after some knocking about. Which none of us enjoyed but we had to put up with it.
The weather is excellent just now. And I hope it continues as the trenches are in a better state owing to the good weather. And I may tell you we are up against enough without wadeing to the knees in water.
Well I have got all your letters and parcel since I came back alright and I must thank you for your parcel. I have also written to thank J Morton for her’s which was a beautiful pocket book. Well we got the 17th over which was given to us as a holiday, being out of the trenches at the time. Each man being given a sprig of shamrock which we all enjoyed having very much. One has to be away from Ireland for a while before they can understand what it is to get something from it. And no wonder those away relish getting a sprig of shamrock so much. And when my feet touched the platform at Dundalk on our homeward journey I thought new life had entered my body that is what it is like to be away from home.
I got your card and Annie’s last night. But tell Annie she need not put Cpl on the letters as I have not got my appointment yet I could have got it again in another Coy but refused it again. As I told you I do not want to leave where I am and no room in our Company for a full Cpl yet. So she need not put it on until I tell her.
Well I think this is all I have time for now but as long as you know I am alright.
Goodbye.
I remain
Your Loving Son
John
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Somewhere in France
31.3.16
Dear Jimmy
I am writing too them all so I could not leave you out. How are you getting on since I came away. I believe you were at that Orange Ball at Bessbrook. And did your best to do me out of my girl. Mind I am telling you. You had better keep clear of that quarter of the town. Although I am out in France, there is nothing goes passed that I do not hear off. But no matter I think it would take you all your time too knock me out.
Did you see J. McCullough when he was at home. I did not think you knew him. But if you do you know a Gentleman. One that any man might wish to have as a friend. I believe youse have had a great fall of snow. Last week we had one about the same time. But there is no trace of it now. It does not stay long in this country now. Well you need not take it angry at what I said it was only a joke. Jennie[?] was telling me that she was talking to you at the dance. And what a fine fellow you were. She said you were nearly as good as your Big Brother, but seemed to have more to say (I don’t think [?]). I think I must stop or you may not answer it. But I hope you do as I would like to hear your way about it. No more at present.
I remain
Your Loving Brother
Johnnie
Somewhere in France, B.E. Force
31.3.16
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines hoping the will find yourself and all at home still enjoying good health. As this leaves me in the same at time of writing. I am sorry that I have been so long in writing, but I could not really find time to do so.
We have come out for a short rest. And the weather this last few days has been like summer. It is always the same while out of the trenches it is always fine and when we are in tem you could hardly stand the cold. The last few days we were in there was nothing but frost and snow and when it thawed it would have taken you to the knees in mud and water.
I had a letter from Jennie yesterday. She seems to be in good health. I have not much news to write this time. It is very hard to write a letter from here for you do not know what to say for to be right. So the least said the sooner mended. But as long as you know I am well I suppose its all you want to know. Four youse all know more about things at home than we do out here. I think this is all at present but I will write soon again. Whenever I get time.
I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
I am quite well.
I have been admitted into hospital
sick
wounded
and am going on well.
and hope to be discharged soon.
I am being sent down to the base.
I have received your
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Somewhere in France, British Exped Force
29.04.16
My Dear Mother
I am so sorry that I have been so long in writing to you, but I was waiting on getting the parcel that you said in your letter you were sending got to me. So I only got it last night. That is something like 10 days it took it coming, and it only takes a letter 4 days. So you will understand why I was so long in writing. Well to start with I must thank you for what you sent to me in your parcel. You are so awful good to me. I do not know how I will ever repay you. All in the parcel was all right. There was nothing gone astray. You must have spent some time in packing it.
Well we have got Easter over such as it was. You would not have known that it was Easter. Only the Germans kept quiet all day on Sunday but they gave us a few shells on Monday, which our fellows paid back in dead earnest. But its just the same every day. I wonder how far the end off. There is not many out here would care it was all over tomorrow. The weather is still keeping good it is like summer today and I hope it continues for the wet weather is not very pleasant. I suppose the people at home are busy putting in the crop. Have you got the garden in yet. You can put my share in I will be home before they are dug. Well I must thank you again for your parcel which we enjoyed very much as it was a change from the loaf bread and I think I must now draw to a close as I must write to Annie tonight but I will not be long in writing to you again.
I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
Somewhere in France
13.05.16
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines, now that I am able to write once more, to let you know that I am getting on alright. Hoping yourself and all at home are still keeping in your usual Good Health. I suppose by this time you will think me dead, but thank Goodness I am still on the land of the living.
After I got wounded the Chaplin promised to write to you and tell you and so did Jack. Did they do so. You see I have not got a letter since then. And I may tell you that many a time I wondered how youse were getting on at Home. And many a time I was very sorry that I could not write to let you know how I was doing.
But as my hand is getting alright I will try and explain to you how it happened. It was on Monday night the 1st of May. And we were out of the Trenches at the time. But the Batt that we were doing reserves to was supposed to be attacked. And we got orders to go up to support them. it was about 10 oclock at night and very dark. And when ourside our quarters the Order was given to load up our rifles. So I happened to be rather late getting out and when I got out I was standing side ways to where the men were, when one of them by accident let of a round. The bullet passing through my rifle and exploding it in my left hand. The splinters tearing the whole heart out of my hand. I had to go through two operations for to get them out. It did feel sore I may tell you. But you not be uneasy as I am getting alright now, as I have the worse of it over me. And it might have been far worse if I had lost my hand.
The weather is still keeping very wet now it is simply pouring today. I suppose it is much the same at home. How is Annie and Jimmy getting on. I am sorry I cannot write to them as all my writing paper is in my rucksack and this is all I have got with me. But I may tell you many a time when lying here I thought often about youse all. And I did not know how youse were doing as I did not get a letter from anyone since I got wounded. That is nearly a fortnight today. I wish my hand was better until I would get out again as I am fed up knowcking about and not getting any letters to know how all is getting on.
I believe all the riots in Dublin is settled and near time too. If they would come out heere they would get plenty of fighting to do, without starting at hhome. If the poor fellows had the [?] and stuff that they destroyed out here they would be glad of it. But its as well that they put an end to it.
I think I must draw to a close as my hand pains me still when I use it too much. Excuse this horrible scribble. I now close hoping soon to hear from you.
I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
BEF, Somewhere in France
21.05.16
My Dear Mother
I am sorry that I have been so long in writing to you again. But I was waitin in the hope that I might get a letter, but another day has passed and still no sign of any. So I have given up hope of getting any of them until I rejoin my Regt and I hope that will not be long now, I am still in hospital, the same one as I in the last time I wrote home. I thought at that time that I would have been out by this time. But my hand was so liong in healing up the Doctor though that there must still be some of the splinters in it. So he had to open it up again, and got one in the heart of my hand. So it was put as far back as ever. Only it has nothing to do now but heal up. And by the time you get this letter I will be back at my duty again.
Many a time I lie and wonder how youse are all getting on at home. But I hope youse are all still in your usual good health. I know it is not your fault at home that I am not getting any letters. They come all right to the Batt – where they are endorsed ‘Hospital’ and sent away again. And the letters may go back home again for all I know or I suppose fro all the care so long as they get rid of them.
They are very nice fellows in this hospital. I knew some of them since we were in Clandeboye. And they were in Newry for some time, about the time that we were on the Route March through the Co Armagh. I am telling you this to let you know that I am not altogether among strangers as you may suppose. I was talking to Sammie Moffat about a week ago. He came to see me. He is just the same. I need not tell you I was glad to see him. It was like a breath from home to talk to him. Those at home cannot realise how much good it does one to meet someone they know out here. It brings fond memories of happier days.
the weather still keeps good and is is most pleasant. I hope the weather at home is also fine. We will so be into the summer months again. I wonder what it will hold for each of us. It may bring sorrow for some and joy for others. But I suppose what ever comes it will be for the best and we will have to put up with it. It is all in a good man’s hand and he knows what is best for each of us. So we will have to leave it at that.
Tell Annie and Jimmy that I was asking for them. I hope that they are both in good health, as well as yourself. You can tell them I will write to them as soon as I get back to duty. But this is all the writing papoer I have got until I get back. My store of envelopes has run done. If you are writing to Jennie you may tell her that I am getting on all right. I cannot get writing to her now, but shall do so as soon as I get back. I am sending Jimmy a couple of cuttings out of an old newspaper. He might like them. I think this is about all so I must draw to a close. Hoping to hear from you soon.
Good night
I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
BEF, Somewhere in France
28.05.16
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines to let you know that I am out of hospital once more. And that my hand is a good deal better although I am still not able for any heavy work. but the Captain was that pleased to see me back that he is letting me run about for a week without doing anything. I have got all your letters and was glad to know that all at home are still in good health. Well Dear Mother I suppose you will be glad to know that I have got another stripe since I came back. I have been promoted to the rank of Cpl. and am getting staying in my own Company.
The weather is simply lovely, it is just like summer this afternoon. I hope youse are having good weather at home for it is very pleasant. I hope Annie and Jimmy and yourself are keeping well. (You are right to keep fretting it will do you a whole lot of good.) [sic] I am beginning to think that you will never have sense. Well I may tell you if I havd started fretting over my hand I would not be back here today. You would have had me home with only one hand. But I kept up my heart and now you see the result of it. Well I think I have not much more to say. I will write soon again.
I remain
Ever your Loving Son
John Adams
B. E. Force Somewhere in France
14.06.16
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines to say that I received your parcel all right. Many thanks for what you sent to me. I was most thankful for the cigarettes which you sent for to tell the truth I had nothing to smoke for a couple of days. I may as well tell you I am back in hospital again. I came out of it too soon and it seems that the splinters was not all out. So it broke out again and I had to go back. But its only a rest camp that I am in now. And only about half a mile from where the Regt is lying so anything that comes for me J. McCollough keeps them for me and sends them up. But somehow I missed that letter that you said you wrote on last Monday. I think he must have sent it by post so it would take it much longer coming. But I do not want you to be uneasy about me, as I will soon be alright. I was not going to tell you about it, only I thought that perhaps Jack would be writing home and telling you about it and that you would think it worse then what it was.
I just got your letter the other day telling me of the death of William Brown. It must have been very sudden for I never heard of him been ill. You see the reason I was so long in getting the letter I was just into hospital at the time and they did not know where I was so it was posted back again and got over the most part of France before I got it back again. Well that will be changes there. I thought be tooked quite all right the time I was home on leave but a short time makes a long of changes. But what can we expect but changes. There has been a lot since we came away 9 months ago. But the changes will only start when this war is over and the ones that is left live to get home. It is then that the ones that have fallen will be missed. But its all the fortunes of war and it will be a bad war indeed if all is killed. Someone will be left to tell the tale.
Well how is Jimmy getting on. He might take half an hour on Sunday and write to me a line. I suppose it is all the day he has. How does the Daylight Saving Bill affect him. It must be very hard rising at 5 o’clock when the clock says it is 6. It is starting with us today so I do not know how we will like it. I suppose they want to give us an extra hour at the Germans.
I suppose Annie is getting on all right. I had not a letter from her for long time. I think long when I do not hear from youse. I must soon write to her and to Jimmy too but there is not much to write about. Ask her if she remembers one 13th July that we came home from the Pass in J. Garvey car though Glenanne. That a man called Willie Whiteside and a wee child came home with us. Well I met him the other day. He is in the R. E. and he was asking me if I remembered it, and how my sister was getting on. He was saying that we would hardly be home for this 13th and I was of the same opinion.
I do not think I was ever telling you about meeting the Rev. Paton of Downshire Road, Newry out here. It was after I came out of hospital. We were lying at a place called the Mound Keep on the railroad that runs between Paris and Berlin. It was on a Sat afternoon and Sgt Gordon and I was sitting outside our dugout when this Chaplain came along and he stopped to speak to some of our Officers and I saw him always looking over to where Willie and I was sitting. So when he turned to come away he came over to where we were sitting. Of course we arose and saluted him.
And then he said to me Corpl have I ever saw you any place before, so I said I do not remember having met you before Sir. And then he asked me what part of Ireland I was from. So I told him. And he asked what I worked at when I was at home. So I told him that I had lived with the Rev. Meeke for a number of years. So then he said he knew that he had seen me before, and asked me did I not remember having met him on one occasion he was coming to preach in Kingsmills. But still I could not remember him. So he told me he was Paton of the Downshire Road. So then it came back to my memory. He came to preach one Friday before the Communion. So I told him then that I remembered it. So he was preaching to us the next day (Sunday) and when he had finished he came over and told me he would write to Mr Meeke and tell him he had seen me.
Well I think I have told you about all the news. Only that all the chaps of the North Irish Horse is up this part of the line. But I have never yet saw any of them. When we are in one village they are in another, so that is how we miss them. Harry Whiteside is a Sgt Major now, and Willie Lockart is still a Sgt. The Newtown [Hamilton] fellows are two villages from us. I think I must draw to a close. Hoping this may find yourself and all at home in your usual good health.
As I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
The Royal Alexandra Infirmary,Paisley,Scotland
30.06.16
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines to let you know that I received your parcel all right. Many thanks for what you sent to me, it was awful good of you. but you might not have minded about sending me any cigarettes as I get more here than I can smoke. The people here are so very good to us. The factory girls gives so much out of their pay each week, for comforts for us while we are here. And comes to visit us 4 days a week. I often heard it said that Scotch people were hard with their money. But I will believe it no longer. For they do not show it here. We are as well of here as we would be in Ireland. Perhaps better.
The weather is very fine here just now, and this is a lovely place. Tomorrow is the first of the month, and Wednesday will be the 12th. What changes since the last. Where is the men going this year. I hope they will get good days. You might tell Annie and Jimmy to write and tell me all the news and how things are going on. I never though as long for letters before as I did since I came here. Well there is not much more to tell you about. I cannot tell you how my hand will do until it heals up, it has been opened so often. Well don’t forget to tell Annie I will be expecting a letter from her very soon.
I thank you again for what you sent to me. I shall not forget you for it. No more at present.
I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
The Royal Alexandra Infirmary, Paisley,Scotland
03.07.16
My Dear Mother
Just a line to say that I received your letter this morning. I wrote to you the day I got your parcel, but you could hardly have it at the time you wrote this. I received your parcel all right, and many thanks for what you sent. Perhaps some day I may be able to repay you. Well my hand is going on all right, but it will be some time before its better. But I am all right here. I have nothing to complain of. They are all so very good to us. You might tell Annie I want her to write a line to me soon. I have not heard from her for a long time.
How is Jimmy getting on. I see some account of there being no 12th this year. Tell Jimmy not to wear all the light boots out to I get home as I am tired carrying those heavy ones about, and I will be glad to get them off for a couple of days. You can tell him I said that I will exchange him when I go home. He might also write and let me know how things are going on. The weather is keeping wet here now. I only wish it would clear up. As we are about sick of rain now. I hope it is fine when I get home. No more at present. Hoping this will find yourself and all at home in good health.
I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
Paisley, 5.7.16
Dear Mother
Just a card to let you know that I am getting on alright. Hoping all at home are the same. This is a view of a place that we went for a drive to yesterday. It is about 11 miles from here. The weather is not too bad now and I hope it keeps good when I get home.
Your son
John.
Postcard shows: Cross and Main Street, Kilmacolm See on Google Maps.
The Royal Alexandra Infirmary, Paisley,Scotland
07.07.16
My Dear Mother
Just a line to say that I received your letter this morning. And am glad to know that your self and all at home are in your Usual Good Health. As for myself I am getting on alright and may be able to go home in the end of the month. But we do not leave here to go home. We have to go up to Glasgow and may be kept there for some time.
Thanks very much for the stamps which you sent. I am sending you a cutting of a newspaper with all the names of the men addmited to this place the night we came over. I had 2 letters from Jennie and she seems to lie in Good Health.
We were out for a drive on last Tuesday to a place about 11 miles from here. It was a lovely drive we went on Brakes and it took us four Hours to get to it. We got our tea before we left it and the weather was very good. But it is raining today I do hope it soon clears up as I do not want any rain when I go home.
I suppose your flowers look well have you many this year. And did the Orange Lilies come our. I saw a lovely garden of Orange Lilies at this place on Tuesday. They were very nice.
Well I think I must draw to a close. Hoping to hear from you soon again.
I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
No postmark – probably included in a letter.
12 July 1916
Dear Jimmy,
Just a PC hoping it will find you still enjoying the usual good health as this leaves myself not so bad at the time of writing. How are you getting on this weather, it is very wet? It is just as well that they are not going anywhere today. It is simply pouring. It is as bad as the 12th that we went to Tandragee. Do you remember that day? We yesterday was fine for a wander [?] and we were at Lock [sic] Lomond for a day’s outing. It is a lovely place. We were out for a sail on a motor boat and it was splendid. I heard J McCullagh was wounded, but I cannot see his name in the list. I do hope it is not time. There is about 10 Bessbrook wounded. I see a Brown name [A Brown?]. We have lost a lot of Officers. Both our Captains are wounded, but there is not many Ptes in D. Coy wounded that I can see. I hope it will soon be over.
No more at present, Jack.
Postcard shows “Inversnald Hotel and Falls, Loch Lomond”. Taken from the water, a large hotel dominates the photograph, with a waterfall tumbling into the lake beneath a bridge on the right. Small boats are scattered on the waterline, and a path slopes from the lake up to the hotel.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Inversnaid+Hotel/@56.2422687,-4.6860636,662m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x48890261fa434821:0xdf979e3283a214ab!6m1!1e1