Letter from K.E. Fitzgerald to Clara Davidson, 5 July 1916 Letters 1916-1923 K.E. Fitzgerald

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 Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities Vienna, AT 2026

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Letter of condolence from K.E. Fitzgerald to Clara Mary Davidson (1852). Fitzgerald was second in command to Clara's son, James, who died on the first day of the battle of the Somme. Fitzgerald describes James' conduct during the battle, describing him as a great officer. He concludes that only one in ten officers remain in his company. 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 PRONI-D3642-B-8-63, PRONI-D3642-B-8-63 https://letters1916.ie/item/1048 English K.E. Fitzgerald 1916-07-04 Clara Mary Davidson Seacourt, Bangor, Co. Down, Ireland Male World War I (1914-1918) World War I (1914-1918)

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 5' July1916 Dear MrsDavidson, You will doubtless have heard by this time of the death of your dear son Capt Jim. I was his 2ndin Command & I feel his loss both as a personal friend and as my Senior Officer. MrAshcroft has told you all so I need not repeat anything. His untiring spirit and heroic conduct whilst wounded in the knee, meant the holding of hostile bombing party in check for almost a day. He knew no fear. I wish I could say that of myself. He was the best Officer one could desire to be led by as he was kind, brave and thoroughly conversant with all the workings of a machine gun Corp. I offer to you and his bereaved father my sincere sympathy in your trial and cruelloss. He and I knew each other from the earliest days at Greypoint. We never had a row and I always did what I could to assist him in having a Company which any officer might be proud of. I will guarantee that Capt Davidsons Coy Abbreviation for Company could compete with any Company in the Corps, in every respect. What was this due to — well it simply was this. Capt Davidson was a strong officer, capable in every respect, most thorough and painstaking I cannot find words to express all I thought of him. I must not worry you with anymore writing. Please excuse me if this letter seems childish as I feel it is. I cannot collect my wits as I am almost driven stupid. Four officer out of ten is all I have left. Some parcels came with cakes, butter & therein and we decided to consume same as the Capt said we were to do if anything ever happened him. This was a mutual arrangement all around, as we knew it would be a silly thing to send them back. Please excuse me for addressing you as I do, but I take the liberty in these sad circumstances. Yours sincerely K.E Fitzgerald MrsDavidson (?) Seabright Bangor Co Down. 5/7/16 K.E. Fitzgerald Letter from K.E. Fitzgerald to Clara Davidson, 5 July 1916 Seacourt, Bangor, Co. Down, Ireland Letter from James Davidson to Clara Mary Davidson, 3 November 1915Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary. Davidson, 16 February 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 30 June 1916Telegram from Samuel Davidson to Frederick Ponsonby, 11 July 1916Letter from K.E. Fitzgerald to Clara Davidson, 5 July 1916Postcard from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 25 June 1916Letter from James Davidson to Clara Davidson, 28 June 1916Telegram from the War Office to Samuel Cleland Davidson, 7 July 1916Telegram from James Davidson to Samuel and Clara Davidson, 8 April 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, 29 February 1916Letter from James Davidson to his father Samuel Cleland Davidson, 16 February 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 1916