Letter from James Vincent Coyle to John F. McGuinn, 23 March 1916 Letters 1916-1923 James Vincent Coyle

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 Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities Vienna, AT 2026

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A letter (copy of original) from James Vincent Coyle (1864-1948) to John F. McGuinn (1893-1916), on 23rd March 1916. McGuinn was serving with the 2nd Irish Guards in the Ypres area at the time. Coyle writes of family matters, monetary concerns and news at home. John worked in the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, Dublin. Five young men in the Department also joined up with John in September 1914 to fight in the British Army in the Great War. John was hit by an artillery shell and killed on 27 March 1916. This letter was among his belongings that were returned to his mother in Sligo some weeks after his death. He was aged 23.

 Private Collection Private Collection https://letters1916.ie/item/911 English James Vincent Coyle 1916-03-23T00:00:00 Department of Agriculture and technical Institution, Dublin, Ireland. John F. McGuinn Male World War I (1914-1918)

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 Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction Dublin 23 March 1916 Dear McGuinn Enclosed came here yesterday but as I was kept at a Board meeting until after post time & as I wanted to write a note to you when forwarding it I could not write until today. I hope you are keeping fit. don't forget to let me have a p.c. by early next week to show the a/c for By the way I have heard on an absolutely unimpeachable source that Ms.Meyrick is engaged to be married & I learned subsequently that he is somewhat perturbed lostthe news should reach my ears & induce me to start some joke on him. Well I don't intend to disappoint him in the latter respect but while I am thinking out the details you might write to congratulate him but don't disclose the identity of your informant though he will of course guess who it is. I have not spoke to him on the subject so far a I have not yet decided on the form of the joke part. I am very glad —; sincerely so —; that he is taking this step I trust that he will have as happy a married life as I thank God, have had. Nothing new here except that there is talk of an increase in the taxes on incomes, tea &c. Yesterday, I received from the P.O. an Enchequer 5% Bond Book in which is recorded the investment of £10 which I made on your behalf. I propose whenever the balce to your cheque credit reaches £7, to invest £5 automatically in these 5% bonds this would leave say £2 or £3 loose for sudden call. Of course should you at any time anticipate the necessity for having a larger sum at call on your letting me know I will arrange accordingly. My object is however, not to let the bank have the free use of too much of your money bu to see that it is bearing interest for you. Junior (i.e Vincent) in his last letter from Clongowes asked to be remembered specially to you. He is doing well both at work & football. Cecil is seemingly kept going pretty hard at the front. We feel it a bit lonely at home now with only Desmond who is just 4! With all good wishes Yours Vincent Coyle Department of Agriculture and technical Institution, Dublin, Ireland. Letter from James Vincent Coyle to John F. McGuinn, 23 March 1916 James Vincent Coyle Letter from James Vincent Coyle to John F. McGuinn, 23 March 1916