[draft letter]
45 Main Street
Hamilton’s Bawn
Armagh
04.04.87
Dear Mr McCormack [Mr McCormack was writing a book on 36 Ulster Division – I’ve not found it, may never have been published]
I write again with reference to my father, Sgt J Adams MM who served with D Company 9th Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Prior to joining the RIF he worked as an apprentice mechanic with [left space to complete later?] although I am sure he must have done other work elsewhere, since he had attended Kingsmills National School and I presume left when he was about 12. (He was born in 1892 [sic]). He was always a very good handwriter, using a dip pen until his death in 1971.
After the war he joined the ‘A’ Specials serving in Newtownhamilton and Middleton and rising to the rank of Head-Constable.
When the ‘A’ Specials were disbanded he tried unsuccessfully to join the Prison Service and became a Sergeant-Instructor in the ‘B’ Specials. He was later Head Instructor (Co Armagh) and eventually Adjutant of the USC in Armagh. (The County Commandant was Captain Ensor, Ardress who had been his platoon commander in France).
As regards how he won his double MM I have very little information although I seem to remember that it was for rescuing wounded from No Man’s Land.
My father spoke little of his experiences during the War. The only time I heard anything was at Christmas when he met up with my mother’s brother, Johnny Reid, who had served with the NIH. When they lost their horses, he was transferred to the 9th Bn. It was amazing how they could remember occasions on which they had met, right down to the day, date, weather conditions etc.
I enclose for your use or otherwise:
Photograph – 3 soldiers, centre one is my father
Photograph – father
These in fact are copies of the originals and you may keep them.
A letter dated 13.05.16 detailing how he was wounded, also a letter dated 07.07.16. (He was offered a job in the Depot as a Lewis Gun Instructor, but refused to go saying he wanted to get back to his friends at the Front.)