Letter from Captain James Davidson to Clara Mary Davidson, 6 December 1915 Letters 1916-1923 James Davidson

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 Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities Vienna, AT 2026

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Letter from Captain James Davidson (1877-1916) to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson regarding his life at the front. Davidson begins by apologizing for not reading much of his mother's letter. He goes on to tell her how well received the box of fruit was and asks that she does not send him any more clothes until he asks. Before signing off Davidson mentions the new brigadiers that have arrived.This letter is part of a large correspondence from Captain James Davidson to his parents. Davidson, who was Managing Director of the Sirocco Engineering Works in Belfast, served with 13 Royal Irish Rifles and the Machine Gun Corps. His letters describe his experiences while training in England and serving in France. He was killed on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

 Public Record Office of Northern Ireland Davidson Family Papers, D3642/B/8/14 https://letters1916.ie/item/673 English James Davidson 1915-12-06 Clara Mary Davidson Seacourt, Bangor, Co. Down Male World War I (1914-1918) Personal Relations

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 6/12/15 My dearest Mother I was so sorry to get your bad news about Kathleen today — poor wee girl she has had a trying time of it but I do hope this complication will pass away completely soon & that your next letter will bring better news. Father was also evidently not at all well but I hope he took it in time & that the cold did not get down into his chest. I am afraid dear Mother I must confess that I have not been able to read a good deal of your letter but I don't think there are any points requiring special reply. I was so pleased to get the snap of Baby — I am afraid I cant discover any resemblance for one loses the expression. The box of apples & pears arrived safely 2 days ago & we have all enjoyed the fruit so much. A good few of the pears had gone bad but the remainder although they had bad spots were quite good & it is really marvellous how well they travelled. The apples are splendid —not one bad— I gave a few to the people in the café here where I am billeted & they said they had never tasted such good apples in France. The 2 tubes of shaving soap from Hoffmans also came so I dont think anything has gone wrong so far. As regards clothing please dont send me any more till I write for them as so long as we are in billets I can always get washing done & I must not further increase my kit. There is however just one thing more I would like sent out & that is 2 suits of pyjamas. Tell Bella to pick out the best of those I was wearing at home — not the thick ones. Our new Brigadier has arrived — Gen. Griffith. He seems to be a capable man, is comparatively young, active & has been all through the War. The poor old Brigadier Gen. H.P. left for England this morning. He was quite overcome saying goodbye & we were all very sorry to see him go. He is to report to the War Office on his return & I understand is to get a good billet at home. Weather mild at present but horribly wet — rains every day. It is almost 11—30PM so must close. Hoping for good news of all in your next Your loving son Jim Mrs. S.C. Davidson Seacourt Bangor Co Down Ireland 6/12/15 recd 11 th Dec/15 J Davidson James Davidson Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 28 November 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 12 November 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 16 November 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 19 December 1915Letter from Captain James Davidson to Clara Mary Davidson, 6 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to Clara Mary Davidson, 3 November 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 3 November 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 2 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 17 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 12 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 22 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to Clara Mary Davidson, 21 November 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 31 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 1 February 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 11 January 1916Letter from Captain James Davidson to his mother Clara Mary Davidson, 7 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 19 January 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, S.C. Davidson, 27 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 27 January 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 28 May 1916Telegram from Samuel Cleland Davidson to Captain SJ Davidson, 6 March 1916Letter from James Davidson to his sister, Kathleen, 7 March 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 13 March 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary. Davidson, 16 February 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 19 February 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 30 June 1916Postcard from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 25 June 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 28 June 1916Telegram from James Davidson to Samuel and Clara Davidson, 8 April 1916Letter from James Davidson to Samuel Davidson, 9 June 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 12 April 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 18 June 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 16 April 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 21 June 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 27 February 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 29 February 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 21 May 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 5 June 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 6 June 1916Telegram from James Davidson to Samuel and Clara Davidson, 10 April 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 9 April 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 15 June 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 23 April 1916 Seacourt, Bangor, Co. Down Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 28 November 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 12 November 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 16 November 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 19 December 1915Letter from Captain James Davidson to Clara Mary Davidson, 6 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 3 November 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 2 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 17 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 12 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 22 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to Clara Mary Davidson, 21 November 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 31 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 1 February 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 11 January 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 19 January 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, S.C. Davidson, 27 December 1915Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 27 January 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 28 May 1916Letter from James Davidson to his sister, Kathleen, 7 March 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 13 March 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 19 February 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 27 February 1916Telegram from Secretary War Office to the Davidsons, 3 March 1916Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary Davidson, 21 May 1916