[Postcard showing Fountains Abbey]
[Addressed to Mrs J Adams, Lisadian]
[Postmarked, Belfast 23 Sept 1914]
We arrived here safe and was padded all right. We are stopping with Minnie tonight and going to Camp in the morning. Will write later.
J.A.
[on his way to enlist]
[From personal note]
Nov 1914
At Victoria Barracks, Belfast
Spend Xmas Day loading Hay for Horses in France at Belfast Docks.
From personal notes by John Adams
[From personal notes]
Inspection at Malone at Major General Sir Hugh McCalmont K.C.B. followed by a March through the City.
[undated – probably 18.11.18 – see letter 15.11.18]
Ward 7
Royal Victoria Hospital
Belfast
My Dear Mother
Just a line tonight to say I have arrived safe in Belfast. We left Dublin today at 1 o’clock and got here about 5.30. I am still going on alright and I hope so are you and all at home. I hope Annie has got alright again and that Jimmy is still keeping well.
I am glad to be in Belfast once more. The weather is lovely at present and I do hope it may continue as it is most pleasant. Tell Jimmy if he thinks of buying a new pair of boots I shall buy those that he has. I do not like paying so much money for a new pair for 7 or 8 days at home. But I do not like going about in those heavy ones. Tell him to write and tell me if he will sell them to me. And if he does he can send them to me while I am in hospital.
Well this is only a line tonight to let you know where I am. Hoping to hear from you soon.
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
20.11.18
Ward 7
Royal Victoria Hospital
Belfast
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines in answer to your ever welcome letter of today. And I am glad to know that all at home are still enjoying their usual good health as this leaves myself going on alright at present. I am still able to walk about and we are allowed out here from 2pm to 7pm every day. The weather is lovely at present.
Well Mother I thank you very much for what you sent to me. It was very good of you. I shall get along alright without the boots until I get home. I [do] not know how long I may be here, but I shall do my best to be home for Xmas.
I hope Annie is still keeping better and that Jimmy is going on alright.
Well I think this is all now. So I will now close thanking you again for the money.
Goodbye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
Postcard showing Castle Junction, Belfast. Dated 04.01.19, Belfast
Dear Mother
Just a line to say I got back safe. I am sorry I was so long in writing, but I shall write to you tomorrow and explain.
Johnnie.
Royal Victoria Hosp
Belfast
14.01.19
My Dear Mother
Just a few lines in answer to your every welcome letter of today. And I am glad to know that yourself and all at home are still enjoying your usual good health, as this leaves me in the same at present.
The weather here keep[s] very nice. It has been like summer this last two days. We had none of that snow you speak of. Or at least very little. It stayed no time here.
I had no word from Jennie since I saw her but I am sure she is quite alright. I did not see Tommy since I came back. I may go over to see him before I go home but I do not know yet.
I wonder if Jimmy intends to go to that Dance at [Killeavy] Castle. Tell him I shall do my best to be home for it. But tell him I got an invite from another quarter. He will know who I mean. I hope it may be a much drier night than the last. Tell him to get the Patton’s for to drive up again.
Well I am glad that all at home are well. Well I think this is about all I can say now. So I will close with best love.
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie
Hoping to hear from you soon again.
Note: Killeavy Castle is at the base of Slieve Gullion, Co. Armagh
Discharged from Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
From personal notes. Presumably demobbed very soon afterwards.