Letter from James Davidson to his mother, Clara Mary (b.1852). James writes that he is keeping well. He warns that she may not hear from him for some time as they are 'on the eve of big events.' The Somme bombardment would begin six days later on 24 June. 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.