[postcard to Mrs John Adams, Kingsmill, White Cross, Co. Armagh, Ireland]
[possibly postmarked Aug 12 1914 – fits with history of Royal Inniskillings]
Dear Aunt just a PC to let you know I am at Lough Swilly, hoping all is well, if you be writing my address so far is 7388 Pte T Davidson, D Company, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, [Pubble????] Camp, Co. Donegal.
[Postcard showing: A Cosy Corner. “How fair the rural scene”]
[Addressed to Mrs J Adams, Lisadian]
[Postmarked Belfast 23 Sept 1914]
We got here alright. Minnie met us in the station & took us home with her. We are stopping with her tonight. Tell A & J I will write later.
J. C. [?]
[on the way to enlist]
[YMCA paper]
[to Mrs J Adams, Lisadian]
7388 Lce Cpl T Davidson
Roy. Innis. Fusrs.
Caserne Traupel [Traupel Barracks]
Rouen
France
31.12.14
Dear Aunt
Just a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome letter, which I received alright and was pleased to see by it that youse are all enjoying good health. As for myself I am still enjoying the usual health and you know it has always been good, thank God for it. I am also pleased to hear of John getting home for a few days although it might be a while before he comes out here, and perhaps he may not have to come at all, but if he does I might see him somewhere. You might let me know what Regiment he belongs to and the date he expects to come out on.
I suppose he is the only one from about there that he knows, coming out. I am sorry to hear of W McKnight but as you say I must have been in the hospital for was talking to him the day before I got wounded and he was in good spirits and healthy. We were talking about you and all the people I knew around that way. I was asking him if he knew John and James. I will try and find out all about him although it will be difficult as those who were beside him might be away themselves. If you see them you might give them my heart-felt sympathy hoping they will soon get over their sad bereavement.
And as you say it was a dull Xmas. We will live with God’s help to enjoy a better one next year. I have not much more to say at present. Hoping this finds youse all in good health, I will close by bidding youse all good bye to I hear from you. Wishing youse all a prosperous New Year 1915.
From your ever loving nephew
T Davidson
[William McKnight was John Adams’s cousin, killed in 1914 – reference: History of Kingsmills Presbyterian Church. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial near Ypres.]
[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.]