Monday 1 May, 1916
by John T Adams
See John Adams’ description of the incident on the letter from 13th May.
Saturday 13 May, 1916
by 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
Sunday 21 May, 1916
by 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
Sunday 28 May, 1916
by 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
Wednesday 14 June, 1916
by 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
Saturday 17 June, 1916
by John T Adams
John Adams had been readmitted to hospital with a recurring infection and inflammation of the wound as indicated in his letter of 14th June.
Records from are available from No 3 Casualty Clearing Station, then at Puchevillers behind the lines at Hamel. See https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/records/7869695/corporal-j-adams-royal-irish-rifles/
These records indicate the following
Index number of admission: T1051
Ailment: S[ick]. Inflammation of connective tissue, hand
Date of Admission for Original Ailment: 17/06/1916
Date Transferred to Sick Convoy: 18/06/1916
Number/Designation of Ward: A1
Notes written in the Observations Column: 110th Field Ambulance. To No.18 Ambulance Train.
110th Field Ambulance was part of 36th Ulster Division, and in June 1916 was located at Clairfaye Farm between Varennes and Léalvillers.
For more on No 18 Ambulance train see http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/misc/misc_equip246.htm
Archive Reference: MH106/311 can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War Representative Medical Records of Servicemen from No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station
Friday 30 June, 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
2 June 1916
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
30th June 1916
Friday 30 June, 1916
by 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
Monday 3 July, 1916
by 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
Wednesday 5 July, 1916
by 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.
Friday 7 July, 1916
by John Adams
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
Wednesday 12 July, 1916
by 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
Sunday 16 July, 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
9th July 1916
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
16th July 1916
Wednesday 19 July, 1916
by John Adams
Mr James M Adams
Lisadian
Whitecross
Co. Armagh
Ireland
Postmark 19 July 1916
19 July 1916
Dear Jimmy
Just a card to let you know how I am getting on. You never think of writing to me at all. How are you getting on? This is the place we were at for a drive on yesterday. I think I will be going home next week. I am not quite sure yet. I see in last week’s paper that I have lost most of my section. Hard luck but I suppose it is what may be expected. No more now.
Jack
Postcard shows “Lover’s Walk, Rouken Glen”: a path winds between densely planted shrubs and trees. A distant couple approach, indistinctly, at the far end of the path.
Wednesday 19 July, 1916
by John Adams
Postmark: Paisley, 19 July 1916
19.7.16
Dear Mother
Just a line hoping will still find yourself and all a home in your usual good health, as this leaves myself going on alright. I expect to be going home next week, if I keep going on as I am now. But I am not sure yet. No more at present.
Your son
John
Postcard shows:
“The falls, Rouken Glen”. A view of a cascade through a narrow, wooded valley.
Current views: Flickr and Google Maps. Odd that the bridge is not visible in the postcard. It was there in 1916.
Thursday 20 July, 1916
by John Adams
Postmark: Paisley 20 July 1916
20.7.16
Dear Mother
Just a line to say that I am leaving here on Sat 22nd. I do not know yet if I am going home, but I expect I am. Will write again and let you know. No more at present.
Your loving son
John
Postcard shows:
“Picturesque Paisley”. A view across to Thomas Coats Memorial Church and the John Neilson Institution, perhaps over a canal where Canal Street now runs. Google StreetView.
Sunday 23 July, 1916
by John Adams
Stobhill, Glasgow
23.07.16
My Dear Mother
Just a line to let you know that I will be home on Tuesday if all is well. I expect I shall come home by Newry except something happens that I do not know about. I left Paisley on yesterday so they kept me here as I could not get a boat across last night.
The weather is keeping very nice it is a lovely day today.
I hope it keeps like this when I get home. I think this is all now until I get home on Tuesday.
I remain
Your Loving Son
John Adams
Thursday 27 July, 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
27th July 1916
Monday 31 July, 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
17th 1916
telegram ,,
parcel ,,
Letter follows at first opportunity.
I have received no letter from you
lately
for a long time.
Signature only
Date
31st July 1916
Sunday 13 August, 1916
by John Adams
10th Roy Ir Fusiliers, B company 37-Hut, Military Camp, Newtownards
13.08.16
My Dear Mother
I am awful sorry I have been so long in answering your welcome letter that I received alright. But my arm was so sore that I could not manage it. This is the first I have written since I wrote to you. You wanted me to get someone to write for me. But I would not ask anyone to do so as are all strangers to me. And I knew you would think me alright, as long as I am here. Well I am getting on alright and will soon be better again. But I am still attending the Dr. I had no word from Jimmy yet.
The Camp is still closed, but I think it will soon be opened and I shall go up to see you as soon as I can get a pass in a weeks time or so. Davy Patterson must have died sudden at the Last. I hope you have got all right again yourself. It is lovely weather now. I hope it lasts as it is most pleasant. I suppose Jimmy and Annie are both working every day. It is good weather for getting the flax pulled. Well I hope you will forgive me for not writing to you sooner. And I hope to hear from you soon again. I think I will have to close now. Excuse this scribble as I have got the proper use of my arm yet.
I remain
Your Loving Son
J Adams
Wednesday 23 August, 1916
by John Adams
Postmark:
Newtownards
23 August 1916
Addressed to:
Mrs John Adams
Lisadian
Whitecross
Co. Armagh
Dear Mother
Just a card to let you know I am getting on alright, hoping yourself and all at home are keeping in good health. The weather is keeping quite nice. No more at present.
Johnnie
Postcard shows: “Greetings to my loved ones at home.”
A soldier writes a letter, using his hat on his knee as his desk. In his thoughts are his wife and young daughter.
“Here’s a greeting to my loved ones,
Just to day all’s well with me,
And to tell them I am thinking,
Of the home I’d love to see.
Cares there are – yet sweet the knowledge
That one holds a place apart,
Very warm and tender in each
Faithful loving heart. “
Madeleine St Clair
Tuesday 12 September, 1916
by Jeannie Adams
Postmark: Bangor, Down, Sept 13, 1916
12 Sept 1916
Mrs Adams
Lisadian
Whitecross
Co. Armagh
Dear Mother,
This is just a wee line to say I am well and got your letter alright. I will write soon. I had a PC from J. He was not sick when I saw him at all, only the doctors say the hand is no good till the dirt comes out. I am sure he is very lonely. I had a letter from Jack. He is a srgt now. I wants J to write to him. I am having a grand time down here. We are out all the time. This is our front, only the waves are lovely. I hope you are all well. I have the []. Write soon with love from Jeanie [sic]
Postcard shows ‘Ballyholme, Bangor’, a view of the bay from some way behind the seafront, over a calm sea.
Friday 29 September, 1916
by Jeannie Adams
Postmark Sept 29, 1916
Mrs Adams
Lisadian
Whitecross
Co. Armagh
Dear [Mother]
[I] received your letter, will write soon. We leave here on Monday. Am writing this on the [shore?]. Hope you are not too lonely. Have had a very good time. [Shane?] enjoyed it very much. The weather is lovely just now. I tried to get some shells but there is nothing but fine sand. A lot of people has gone away to [dog?].
Love from Jeannie
I have been to this church.
Postcard shows ‘[First] Presbyterian Church, Bangor, Co. Down.’
A simple view of the ivy covered front of the church, including its steepled tower. The card has been nibbled by mice.
Google StreetView
Saturday 30 September, 1916
by Jeannie Adams
Postmark Sept 30 1916
Mrs Adams
Lisadian
Whitecross
Co. Armagh
Dear Mother
This is just to say we are leaving here on Monday so will write when I get to Holywood. I am sorry going for I have had a very good time. The weather has got cold. This is our part [?]. We are just in behind the houses, down this opening [marked with an X]. How is Jimmie?
Love
Jenny.
Postcard shows ‘Ballyholme Beach, Bangor, Co. Down’. A busy beach, with many people strolling on the sand, sitting on the bank and paddling in the sea.
Google StreetView
Saturday 7 October, 1916
by Jeannie Adams
Postmark: Holywood, 07 Oct 1916
Mrs Adams
Lisadian
Whitecross
Co. Armagh
Dear Mother,
Sorry I have been so long in sending those things but I will soon. I have been so busy. Baby was vaxinated [sic] – his arm is sore. I will write soon. Got your letter alright. Glad to know about J being up. Hope all is well. Give my love to all.
Your loving
J Adams
Postcard shows: ‘Cultra Manor, Co. Down’. A view across a mown field to a large house. Haystacks stand in the foreground, and beyond lies Belfast Lough and the Antrim coast.
Friday 20 October, 1916
by John Adams
20.10.16
My Dear Mother
I am sorry I have been so long in writing to you but it was not my fault as I thought I had written to you and I was wondering why I never heard from you. I was thinking long to hear from you when I got your letter saying that you had not heard from me. Well I hope yourself and all at home are still in good health and I hope Annie is quite better and that Jimmy is not working too hard.
I am getting on here alright. I am liking the place better than I did at the first. There was a Board of Docs here some time ago and a lot of men was passed fit and send back to their units. But I was put back for further treatment so I do not know now when I may get away from here. But you need not be uneasy about me as I am alright. I think I will get a pass sometime and go home to see youse. But it means a lot of money. It would take 15′ [15 shillings?] to take me to Bessbrook station at half fare.
[the copy of the second page is cut off on the rhs]
…need not expect me to go home very often…nothing I want you to send me. I thank you …for what you have sent me. I shall not …and the rest for it. Do you know did…a woollen jacket that Jennie knit for … home any time I was there. I cannot think…I left it. It was one without buttons if …of leave it at home you need not bother…The weather is not so bad as it was …ago but what can we expect now the …will soon be here. Well I hope you will …me for not writing sooner to you. I will not …happen again. I think I must draw to a …and I will write soon again. Hoping…from you soon and hoping all at home …good health.
Good bye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
[Location: could be either Newtownards or Tipperary]
Saturday 28 October, 1916
by John Adams
Royal Irish Fusiliers,No1 Coy A Block H Room,Irish Command Depot,Tipperary
28.10.16
Dear Mother
Just a few lines hoping it will find all at home enjoying their usual good health. As this leaves myself the same at present. The weather has got very wet this last while, nothing but rain every day. But what can we expect at this time of the year. I hope Jimmy got home alright from the station on the day I came away. We had some time to wait from we got there. As the train did not go out as soon as I expected. But it was as well to be too early as too late. I got back here alright and feel nothing the worse for the journey. But I do not think I would take on the same thing again. Well I think if all is well and me here that long I will get a leave home at Christmas. And it will not be long in wearing round to that. I am going to write to Jack tonight was there any word from him since. I wonder will he get home. I hope he does. I had no word from Jennie this long time. I think she has forgot that I am here.
Was Jimmy telling you that we met Mr Fourie [?] on Monday night when we were going down to Bessbrook. He seemed quite pleased to see me. I as not know if he meant it or not. Nor do I care. I think I have no more to write about now so I must stop. Hoping to hear from you soon.
I remain
Your Loving Son
J Adams
Wednesday 15 November, 1916
by John Adams
Postmark
Tipperary
6 November 1916
Addressed to:
Mrs John Adams
Lisadian
Whitecross
Co. Armagh
5-11-16
Dear Mother
Just a card hoping it will find all at home in good health as this leaves myself in the same at present. The weather has got very wet. But we need expect nothing but winter now. This is all now, but I will write soon again.
Your loving son
J Adams
Postcard shows Cromwell’s Fort, Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin: A man stands looking at a low, crenellated wall, enclosing a sturdy stone building behind. The photograph is taken from the road, and behind stands a wooded area, blessed with Scots pines.
Sunday 17 December, 1916
by John Adams
Royal Irish Fusiliers,
No 1 Company A Block,
Irish Command Depot,
Tipperary
Sunday 17.12.16
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines hoping they will find yourself and all at home enjoying good health. As this leaves myself in the same at present. The weather has got very frosty this last while. But I hope it may continue as it is very pleasant and is much better than the rain. Well Dear Mother there is no chance of me getting home for Xmas as the storeman is away tomorrow (Mon) for 10 days so he will not be back until the Wed after xmas. So the two of us could not get away together. But I hope youse will have a good xmas at home and youse can have a little thought for the Black Sheep up in the Wilds of Tipperary. You might tell Jimmy to write me a few lines and let me know how the dance came off. Well I think this is all now. I will hardly have time to write again to the end of the week. Hoping to hear from you soon.
Good bye
I remain
Your Loving Son
J Adams
Wednesday 24 January, 1917
by John Adams
This card indicates that he returned to Newtownards on 26 Jan 1917.
Postmark: none, but the word Tipperary is underlined on the written side.
24-1-17
Dear Mother,
Just a card to say I reveived your ever welcome letter alright. And I am glad to know that all at home are still enjoying good health. I am leaving here on Friday for Newtownards, so you need not write here again. I need not tell you that I am not sorry at the change, for I am sick of this place. So I asked to get back to my unit. We were to go on Thursday but now it’s changed to Friday. The old address in Newtownards will find me. No more at present. Love to all at home.
Your loving son,
Johnnie
Postcard shows:
“Lake Muskry, Galtee Mountains, Co. Tipperary” A view over the lake toward a steep hillside or mountain on the other side.
Saturday 24 February, 1917
by John Adams
“D” Company
Royal Irish Fusiliers
Newtownards Camp
Co. Down
24.02.17
Dear Mother
I received your parcel alright this morning and I thank you very much for what you sent to me for may handkerchiefs were all lost and I was just going to write home for a couple. So I got them in good time. The weather still keeps very wet. This place is simply flooded. You see it is so low lying very little rain takes effect on it. I wish it would dry up as the good weather is quite pleasant. I had no word from Jennie this couple of days but I am writing to her tonight.
There was a very fine draft left here yesterday. I think it was the best men left here. Albert Brown is away with it. There was […] them altogether. They were all 9th men going back. A few more drafts like it will take all the 9th men away from here.
Is there any word from Jack? I have lost his address. But he may soon be home. I hope he may get home before I get out again. Well I think I have little more to say so I will draw to a close hoping to hear from you soon again and thanking you again for your parcel.
I remain
Your loving son
J Adams
Saturday 3 March, 1917
by John Adams
“D” Company
10th Royal I. Fus.[sic]
Newtownards
Co. Down
03.03.17
Just a few lines hoping they will find you still enjoying good health. I am sorry I was so long in answering your parcel which I received alright. Many thanks for the same. The weather keeps very wet. I do wish it would clear up as it is not very pleasant. Well I hope they had a good night on Friday night in Kingsmills. Was there many there?
Well Dear Mother if you do not get any more word from me this week you need not be uneasy as I will not have time to write. I am doing Orderly Sgt this week so I will not have a minute to spare. I am only telling you as you might wonder what was wrong.
I have got to go now, so I will have to draw to a close. Hoping to hear from you soon again.
I remain
Your loving son
J Adams
Friday 16 March, 1917
by John Adams
[postcard: Cave Hill and Belfast Castle]
[to Mrs John Adams, Lisadian]
16.03.17, N’Ards
Dear Mother
Just a card hoping it will find all at home in good health. If all is well may be home on Sat but I do not know yet. No more at present. Hoping to see youse all soon.
John Adams
Thursday 9 August, 1917
by Willie Lockhart
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
9th August 1917