Tag Rouen | Letters from the Front

Thursday 31 December, 1914 by Thomas Davidson

France: “I am sorry to hear of W McKnight”

[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.]

Sunday 18 November, 1917 by John Adams

France: “I do not think I am going back to the Batt yet. Something has turned up for me, but I cannot tell you yet”

BEF
18.11.17

My Dear Mother

I now take the pleasure of writing a few lines home, hoping it will find yourself and all there still in your usual good health as this leaves myself not too bad at present. I am out of hospital again and getting on alright. I am getting down to the base depot today. So I expect to be back with the Batt in a few days. I am sure you imagined all sorts of things when I did not write to you but to tell the truth I was not able. Although it was nothing more than a severe cold. But you need have no fear for me as I am getting quite alright again. I got no letters since I went into hospital, so I am uneasy [?] to know how youse all are doing.

I had rather a nice letter from Mr Torrie on the day I left the Batt. It was very nice of him to think of writing to me.

The weather is got quite nice this last while, and I do hope it may continue. We had rather wet weather just before I went into hospital and I think that was what set me up.

Well it is wearing round to Xmas again. This is my fourth Xmas from home. Who would think it was so long, but perhaps all may be over for Xmas 1918 at least I hope it may be.

Well I shall think long [until] I get back to the Batt until I get a letter from home.

I think this is all now so I will close for this time. Hoping all at home are in good health.

Goodbye
I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie

I do not think I am going back to the Batt yet. Something has turned up for me, but I cannot tell you yet, so do not write again until you hear from me again.

We’re not sure what has happened here, but (from the next letter) he appears to be in No. 2 Convalescent Camp in Rouen. We know that he was gassed, so a recurrence of respiratory infection could have put him in hospital.

Mr Torrie was Rev. Edwin George Torrie, the minister of Kingsmills Presbyterian Church from 1914-1920, who served as a Private in the Royal Army Medical Corps from May 1916 until June 1919. Source: History of Kingsmills Presbyterian Church.

in 1917 - France / 2010 upload / France / France 1917-1918 / Letter 0 comments

Tuesday 20 November, 1917 by John Adams

France: Farming: “What a lovely country to live in. I believe I could live here all my life.”

Roy. Irish Fusiliers
No.2 Convalescent Depot
Rouen (Farming)

20.11.17

My Dear Mother

Just a few lines to let you know that I am still living and well. Hoping yourself and all at home are the same at present. I said the last time I wrote not to write again until you heard from me. I was at the Con-Camp at the time, so I did not like to give you any address until I should see if I was staying or not. But just as I was finishing your letter the RSM sent for me to see if I should like to go in charge of a party of men to work on a French farm until I got back my health again. And I need not say I jumped at the chance so that is what I am at now.

I am about 9 miles out of Rouen but our letters have to come through the con-camp. What a lovely country to live in. I believe I could live here all my life. I may be here 1 month and I may be here more. So I should like to hear from home as soon as ever you can as I am uneasy until I get word. I am getting quite fit again since I came to live here. I would you would write to Jennie and give her my address as I have not time to do so now.

This is all at present. Hoping to hear from you soon.

Goodbye
Your loving son
Johnnie

Address in full 13971
Sergt John Adams
Roy Irish Fus
No.2 Convalescent Depot
Rouen
B. E. Force
(Farming)

in 1917 - France / 2010 upload / France / France 1917-1918 / Letter 0 comments

Wednesday 5 December, 1917 by John Adams

France: “This is a lovely part of the country and I like it very much.”

05.12.17

British Exped. Force

My Dear Mother

Just a few lines hoping they will find yourself and all at home in good health as this leaves myself in the same at present. I am nearly tired waiting for a letter from home. It is nearly 6 weeks since I had one so I have nearly given up hope. How is Jimmy getting on? I hope he is well and also Annie. Had you any word from Jennie lately? Tell Jimmy this place is much cleaner than Sinclair’s yard.

This is a lovely part of the country and I like it very much. I shall send you a photo in a day or two and I hope you shall like it. The weather is keeping quite nice here now and I do hope it may continue as it is most pleasant.

Well I think this is about all now, so I shall close with best love to all.

I remain
Your loving son
Johnnie

Presumably this is a continuation of the farming convalescence?

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