Monday 4 October, 1915
by John Adams
Landed in France
[From personal note]
Monday 4 October, 1915
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
4th October 1915
Monday 4 October, 1915
by John Adams
[From personal notes]
Left Burdon Camp for France. Landed at Le Havre
Thursday 7 October, 1915
by John Adams
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.
Saturday 9 October, 1915
by Rev. E.G. Torrie
Postmark: Crossmichael, 09 October 1915
Manse of Crossmichael, Castle Douglas
Dear Mrs Adams,
I hope you are keeping well and not fretting too much. I am wondering about John, whether he has been moved yet.
This is a picture of the church.
Kind regards from both of us.
Yours sincerely
E.G. Torrie
Postcard shows: “Parish Church, Crossmichael”. A view of the parish church across a graveyard, well wooded. The church has a round tower topped with a spire.
From Google StreetView
Tuesday 19 October, 1915
by John Adams
From Blacker’s Letters
Tuesday 19 October, 1915
by Jeannie Adams
Church Hill
Holywood
Co. Down
19 Oct 1915
My Dear Mother,
This is just a wee line to say I had a postcard from Johnnie this morning to say he got my parcel alright. Yours had not arrived when he wrote. He said he had not heard from home for a good while but I am sure he has all by now. He got a pair of socks from Mrs Meeke. It was very good of her sending them. I was thinking of sending him an apple cake and some nuts [sic] for Halloweve. Poor Johnnie, I am sure he is lonely. I have wrote him a good long letter. Mr Chambers says it’s wonderful how much good a letter from home does them, how it brightens them up. I hope Johnnie will come back safe. I hope Mother Dear you are not fretting too much. I know it’s very hard to keep from it and I think they are in great danger sometimes but God can take care of him there as well as at home and all we can do is pray for him.
I hope you are all well. I will write longer next time. I had a letter from T Davidson. He says he is coming home and he is to leave Rouen this week. I hope Johnnie’s hands are getting better. Tell him to be good to that stuff, there is 5 pence worth in it.
Give my love to all and write soon,
I remain your loving daughter,
Jeannie
Write soon.
Thursday 21 October, 1915
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
15 October 1915
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
21st October 1915
Thursday 21 October, 1915
by SW Chambers
[on YMCA writing paper]
S.W. Chambers
YMCA
BFPO I
BEF
Oct 21st 1915
Dear Mrs Adams
I just want to let you know that some little time ago – about a fortnight ago – I saw John [blacked out sentence follows – censor?] He and Robt. Crozier’s son came into our tent one evening and were surprised to find me. I was plsd to see them. They were both fit and well. John has got much fatter and firmer looking. Experience and responsibility are doing him good. He looks every inch a man and I have no doubt he will do credit to himself wherever he goes. You may make your mind easy as to that. They were in the best of spirits. They have now moved away from my neighbourhood… [rest of letter missing]
[Presumably written by S.W. Chambers to Mary Jane Adams. We believe the author to be Rev. Samuel Waugh Chambers of First Holywood Presbyterian Church, Co. Down. He was the employer of John Adams’ sister Jeannie, and had been a minister at Cremore Presbyterian Church near Poyntzpass from 1898-1907. The YMCA notepaper may mean that Rev. Chambers was working for the YMCA, and this is further indicated by a Medal Record card on Ancestry.co.uk. (needs an account to link to this, unfortunately).
Location evidence: Major Brew’s account indicates that the 9th Bn R.I.F. were in Rainneville around this time.]
Saturday 23 October, 1915
by John Adams
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.
Monday 1 November, 1915
by John Adams
[From personal notes. date not specific – simply marked as Nov]
In Trenches Heburterne Sector attached to Gloster [sic] Regt for Instructions
Friday 5 November, 1915
by Thomas Davidson
Postmark: Omagh, 5 November 1915
Dear Aunt
Just a line to say I have arrived here & in good health. Will write later. Hoping all is in good health.
From your ever loving nephew,
THD
Postcard shows:
“Second Presbyterian Church, Omagh”, a view of the stone church, with pinnacles and an open belfry. The bell is missing.
Now known as Trinity Presbyterian Church: Google StreetView
Saturday 6 November, 1915
by Thomas Davidson
7388 L/Cpl T.H. Davidson was discharged from the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on termination of his engagement on 6 November 1915, at the age of 32.
Thomas H Davidson was Mary Adams’ nephew who grew up in Tullylish near Gilford, Co. Down. He enlisted in the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1902, serving in South Africa (1903), Egypt (1903-05), Crete (1907-08) and Malta (1908-09). He returned back to the UK in 1909, and was transferred to the Army Reserve.
On outbreak of war, he was mobilized at Omagh (the Inniskillings’ depot) on 6 August 1914, and sent to camp at Lough Swilly where he was posted to 3rd Battalion on 19th August. He disembarked in France with the 2nd Battalion as part of the B.E.F. on 27 August 1914 when he was appointed as L/Cpl. He was wounded in France on 7 November 1914. He remained in France until 31 October 1915.
Thomas Davidson joined the 2nd “Skins” the day after the Battle of Le Cateau when the battalion were fast retreating from the advancing Germans. The battalion were then involved in the Battles of the Marne, the Aisne and Messines 1914. In 1915 they were actively involved in the Battle of Festubert in May and the Battle of Loos in September. Davidson was likely to have been involved in most of these engagements.
He was posted back to the Depot on 1 November 1915 before being “discharged on termination of his first period of engagement” on 6 November 1915. He had served for 13 years.
Notes
Up until the introduction of conscription by the passing of the Military Service Act of 1916, a man who had served under a Regular or Territorial engagement and who reached the normal expiry of that engagement could and would be discharged from the army. This even applied to experienced men who were serving in the trenches at the time. The man was known as “time expired”. (thanks to the Long Long Trail for this information).
Saturday 6 November, 1915
by Thomas Davidson
Undated, unaddressed postcard. Possibly included with a letter.
This is a boy I am bringing home for Annie, hoping she will like him.
From THD. Ha ha.
Postcard shows a soldier, unnamed (possibly Davidson himself?) standing face on to the camera, Baldrick-like.
Friday 19 November, 1915
by John Adams
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
Monday 29 November, 1915
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
26 November 1915
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
29th November 1915
Sunday 5 December, 1915
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
1/12/15
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
5th December 1915
Friday 10 December, 1915
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
6 December 1915
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
10th December 1915
Thursday 16 December, 1915
by John Adams
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.
Sunday 19 December, 1915
by John Adams
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
Monday 20 December, 1915
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
16 December 1915
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
20th December 1915
Wednesday 22 December, 1915
by G
Postmark: none – enclosed in a letter?
Dated 22 Dec “19015”, Balvaig
Return address?
Messrs Finchey
York Street
My Dear John
Just a line hoping you are quite well and safe. I hope you will excuse if I have got a very bad hand, I am in pain with it so this is just a few lines to let you know I am still thinking about you. It is near Chrismas now. The time is working up until we are going home. I won’t be sorry, I am fed up with this life. Well I will say goodbye for the present hoping to hear from you soon. Good by Dear. I am yours to a sender all [?] G.
The message is surrounded by a number of “x” kiss marks.
Postcard shows:
“Forget me not. God be with you till we meet again. Ships and trains may take away, but friendship & love with us always will stay.” A card showing a map of Australia in the centre. Above, two hands, a man and a woman, hold each end of a knotted cord. The card also shows a ship and a train, and is decorated with glitter.
Wednesday 22 December, 1915
by Jeannie Adams
Church Hill
Holywood
Co. Down
22 Dec. 1915
My Dear Mother
This is just a wee line to say I am sending you these things. I’m sorry I have not got more to send. I hope this wee shawl will please you. They next size was 7s6d it was too dear just now. I hope you will put it on and wear it. I will get you a new one when it’s done.
I had a long letter from Johnnie yesterday. He is well and enjoyed all in the parcels. He wrote a very nice letter to Mrs Trimble thanking her for the trench cooker. Mr Trimble said they were two of the nicest letters ever he read. They think the like of him is not living. He said he was thankful for all in the parcels but he was gladdest to see the trench ointment than all I sent. It kills the vermin and cools their skin. They say their shirts are just living and they are over run with rats. I saw in the paper where they have sent 2 thousand dogs from Paris up to the trenches. He says sometimes they sleep in haylofts, sometimes in gateways, but he says the people have been better to him since he went away than ever they were before.
He had a long letter from Mr Tovie [?] and Cissie Morton sent him a parcel but it was lost on the way. He will be very lonely this Christmas. He says Jack and J McCullough [?] and he are together all the time. He says they all had this tea together as soon as my parcels arrived. I am glad I can help to ease their burden a wee bit.
I had a letter from wee John Mateer on Sunday. He says he’s going to write to his Granny again for she is lonely. I sent him a nice book. I hope he won’t tear it. I gave Minnie Crozier a nice wee pair of shoes and socks for the baby and a big ball for Samuel. She was awfully pleased. She was not bad to Johnnie. She is always glad to see me. She’s never long in getting a drop of tea ready anyway.
Now I think this is all. I hope you are better. Johnnie says if anything was to happen to you he does not know what we would do. I must tell you I hear today that Mr Chambers and Mr Archer [?] are both leaving their churches. I heard they were going to America to start Business [sic]. If it is true I think it is a shame.
Tell Annie I am sorry I have not much for her. She might be able to wear this blouse if they were washed. Would the coloured one be any good to you? I hope she will like the wee handkerchief. I hope Jimmie will like the cigarettes. I am sorry I have nothing better, but I have put nearly all the money I had in Johnnie’s parcel. I think he needs all we can give him.
I hope you will excuse this [scribble]. I hope you will be able to read this but I am in a hurry. It will be a lonely Christmas for us all this time, but God has been good to Johnnie for so far and I hope he will bring him home safe. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. I hope the New Year will be brighter than last year’s.
With best love
I remain
Your loving daughter
Jeannie
Write soon.
Monday 27 December, 1915
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
20/11/15 and 23/11/15
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
27th December 1915
Tuesday 11 January, 1916
by John Adams
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
Thursday 13 January, 1916
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
9/1/16
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
13th January 1916
Tuesday 18 January, 1916
by John Adams
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.
Thursday 27 January, 1916
by John Adams
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.
Monday 7 February, 1916
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
31/1/16
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
7th February 1916
Tuesday 15 February, 1916
by Johnny Reid
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
15th February 1916
Tuesday 15 February, 1916
by Johnny Reid
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
Tuesday 15 February, 1916
by John Adams
[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/).]
Monday 28 February, 1916
by John Adams
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.
Friday 3 March, 1916
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
3rd March 1916
Wednesday 15 March, 1916
by Jeannie Adams
Church Hill
Holywood
Co. Down
15 Mar 1916
My Dear Mother,
This is just a line to say I got your letter alright. I hope you are better. Do you still feel the pains? Had you any more word from Johnnie since I had a PC from Jack, but Johnnie had not got his length when it was written. I have written to them both and sent Johnnie his paper. They were lucky boys got home the time they did. All leave is stopped.
Mrs Caughry [?] was telling me on Sunday that Jim told her to tell me he heard he was getting home and he enquired till he found out where the Fusiliers were and tried to find Johnnie. They told him in Johnnie’s Company that he had just left for his leave the night before, so Jim said before he comes he will try and find him. I thought it was awfully good of him. The young fellow next door has enlisted in the Dublin Fusiliers. He went away this morning. He is a minister’s son and he is just a Private. The other boy is away about Warrenpoint in a sanatorium. He is away since the first of the month. I don’t know whether it’s doing him any good.
Did you hear from Lizzie lately? I wrote to her but I got no reply. I cut this wee bit out of the paper. I was dreaming Johnnie was wounded the other night. I hope you are not listening to anything anyone tells you about Johnnie being wounded as anything else. Let them talk away, don’t you worrie [sic]. He has been very good at writing.
There is a whole lot of visitors in now. They say there’s going to be an air raid over Belfast tonight. Isn’t it well we don’t live in Town? I don’t think there is a thing of it.
I hope Annie and Jimmie are both well. Write me a long letter soon and excuse this horrid scrawl as I have had to get up so often. Don’t be in a bit of a hurry with those things. The weather still keeps cold. Try and keep yourself warm. Write soon.
Give my love to all.
I remain your
Loving Daughter
J. Adams
Thursday 16 March, 1916
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
10/3/16
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
16th March 1916
Monday 20 March, 1916
by John Adams
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
Thursday 23 March, 1916
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
18/3/16
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
23rd March 1916
Sunday 26 March, 1916
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
18/3/16
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
26th March 1916
Thursday 30 March, 1916
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
25/3/16
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
30th March 1916
Friday 31 March, 1916
by John Adams
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
Friday 31 March, 1916
by John Adams
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
Sunday 2 April, 1916
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
27/3/16
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
2nd April 1916
Wednesday 5 April, 1916
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
5th April 1916
Thursday 13 April, 1916
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
8/4/16
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
13th April 1916
Sunday 16 April, 1916
by John Adams
NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.
[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]
addressed to the sender of this card.]
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 dated
9/4/16
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
16th April 1916
Sunday 16 April, 1916
by Jeannie Adams
Church Hill
Holywood
Co. Down
16th April 1916
My Dear Mother
I am very sorry I have been such a time in writing but I could not help it. I have been so busy. I think I never did as much work in my life. As I have done this last week. We have got all the cleaning done. We just got done last night, and I am tired. There was a woman in only three days. I did the rest myself. I was down in Holywood last night after I got finished. I met the Croziers. The first thing Sara asked me was I sick. She said I never looked as sick looking. But I am glad to get finished.
I hope you are all well. Had you any word from Johnnie lately. I had none all week. I wrote to him last Sunday. I told him I was going to send him a parcel but I had not time to do it. Would you send him one for Easter? I am sure he will be lonely. I hope we will hear from him soon.
Has Sammy Moffatt been home yet? I forgot to tell you that last week the Lough was full of ships. Mr Trimble said he counted 19. There was German submarines in the Channel. These ships were guarded by a warship. I think the[y] have caught one of the submarines. I wish it was all over. It seems to get worse. Holywood is all darkened now the street lamps are not lit and any that are are covered halfway down. The shopkeepers are not allowed to put lights in their windows. The times are getting worse.
Well, Bangor Rd Church has got settled. Mr Woodburn is to be installed in Bangor Rd on Thursday. First everyone seems to like him. The service is at 12 o’clock on Thursday. I am going to it. There is a social at night.
You wanted to know could I get home for Easter. I would just love to go, but there is no use trying. It would only start a row. I might get later on. I hope you are all well. Write me a long letter soon. I think this is all now. Excuse this scrawl. Any more word from Lizzie? She is a cool one.
Give my best love to all.
I remain
Your loving daughter
Jeannie Adams
Write soon to me.
Friday 21 April, 1916
by Jeannie Adams
Church Hill
Holywood
Co. Down
21 April 1916
My Dear Mother
This is just a wee line to say I got your letter alright. I am very sorry I can’t get home for Easter. I would have liked to get, but it can’t be helped now. Yous will be lonely without Johnnie, poor fellow he’ll be lonely too. Mr Hunter told me the other day that the Ulster Division are fighting now. His son’s a sergt. He has never been home yet. I hope God will take care of Johnnie and bring him back safe. I had a PC from him yesterday. It was only a field one.
I hope you are all well. Are your pains better? I hope Annie’s cold is better by now. I have got alright again. I had a very sore pain in my back but it’s away too, I am glad to say.
Well, we have got our new minister settled yesterday. It was very good. I was at the service in the morning and at the social at night. It was all very good and as Mr Woodburn said himself he got a royal welcome. It was very nice. He seems a very nice man. He stood at the church door and shook hands with everyone as they came out, and Mrs Woodburn is Mrs Chambers over the world [?]. Everyone said how like each other they were. They presented Mrs W with a new gown and a little girl all in white presented Mrs W with flowers. I am sending the papers with the installation in it. I will send one with the social if it’s in the paper. It was good.
Do you know that Herron [?] is out of jail? He has got off free. Had you any word from Lizzie lately? I was up in Minnie Crozier’s one evening. She told me to tell you if you would like to come down to Belfast for a change she would be very glad to have you.
I think this is all now. You will not get this till Monday as the post went out early today. I hope you will write me a good long letter soon. I hope Annie and Jimmie are both well.
With best love,
I remain your
Loving daughter
Jeannie Adams
Write soon to me.
Do you remember the coin Johnnie gave me? I got it put on a pin. It’s very nice.
Monday 24 April, 1916
by John T Adams
Thursday 27 April, 1916
by Jeannie Adams
Church Hill
Holywood
Co. Down
27 April 1916
My Dear Annie
Thanks very much for letter and card, which I got alright. I hope you are all quite well. I suppose Easter was very quiet. Well I was at church twice on Sunday. The soldiers were at the morning service. There was a good many. I was thinking of poor Johnnie. He was here this time last year.
I saw Lizzie Crozier and Annie and Sara on Saturday night. They asked me down to Annie’s on Monday so Sara came up for me in the afternoon and we went round the shore. The tide was full in and it was lovely. Leonard [?] Brown was down. He isn’t a bad wee chap at all. I was talking to him a good while. He was telling me all the news about home. He says his father is very ill. He was in a bad way about him. He said he wanted Jimmie and Davie Crozier to come with him. I wish Jimmie had come. They all went up to town about five. They wanted me to go with them but I did not go. I wonder did he get home. Sometimes the Croziers are not bad. They always ask me to go with them if they are for Minnie’s [?] or anywhere.
I think this is near about all as it’s near bedtime. I hope you will write me a good long letter soon. Has Jimmie the potatoes all in yet? The weather has been nice this last few days. Was Thomas Moffat home at Easter? I don’t think any of the Coy got any leave. They might later on. Write soon. Give my love to all.
I remain
Your loving Sister
Jeannie
Write soon
Thursday 27 April, 1916
by Jeannie Adams
Church Hill
Holywood
Co. Down
27 April 1916
My Dear Mother,
This is just a wee line to say I am well. I hope you got my letter and paper on Monday. Wasn’t the weather very wet for Easter? This last few days has been nice. I hope you are all well. Is your pains gone yet? I hope so. Had you any word from Johnnie lately. I have had none for a long time. I hope he is well. I think they are having a very hard time. I expect you heard all about the fighting in Dublin, wasn’t it dreadful? It’s coming very near us. That was 10,000 soldiers sent from England and a lot from Belfast. I heard there was a bridge blown up so that the train can’t reach Dublin. I hope they won’t start in Belfast. I know 3 girls that went to Dublin on Monday, and they have not arrived home yet. I am glad there is no one belonging to us in it. They say there is a lot killed and wounded. I think youse are fairly safe out there. I wish it was all over. What does the Crawlies [?] say about it? Are they for it? The volunteers around here have all been called up.
We have got our new minister settled. He seems very nice. He was preaching on Sunday night himself and the church was packed. I never saw so many people in it before, and everyone seemed to like him. He has had a wedding and a funeral. He is only there a week today. He is to start visiting soon.
Had you any word from Lizzie lately? How is she getting on? It was very good of you sending me the wee card. I thank you all for it. If you get any word from Johnnie will you write soon and let me know.
Gordon Copeland was telling me he was up at Tullyhappy on Tuesday. He says when he was coming back at night he had to wait at Goraghwood from 7.30 till 9 o’clock before he could get a train. Maybe it was just as well I was not home. If you don’t hear from Johnnie don be too annoyed because there is very few boats running. They may not be abile to get the mails [sic] across.
I think this is all now. I wll send you a paper. Write me a good long letter soon. Give my best love to all. I remain your loving daughter,
Jeannie
Write soon to me.
Saturday 29 April, 1916
by John Adams
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
Monday 1 May, 1916
by John T Adams
See John Adams’ description of the incident on the letter from 13th May.