1 29/2/16 My Dearest Mother — It is only
2 days since I wrote you but
in case you should see my
name in the wounded lists
I want you to know that there
is absolutely nothing to worry
about. I have had a very
close escape today in fact.
I was lucky beyond anything
for the only mark I have is
a tiny wee cut on the upper
part of the left arm where a
fragment of the shell just touched
me — there is really no more
mark than a good vaccination.
It occurred this morning. I
was going round the billets here
in Headquarters with one of my
Sergts when suddenly there
was a most extraordinary noise 2 from somewhere above rather
like an express train coming
straight at one, & then came
a terrific explosion about 10 yds
away. It was a bomb dropped
from a German aeroplane at great
height but I neither heard or saw
it till afterwards, probably
because so directly overhead, as
others had observed it & were
watching it. I was at the
time passing through a farm
yard at the back of the billet
where my men were just collecting
before parade but by great good
luck the bomb fell on a large
manure heap which greatly lessened
the effect of the explosion though
as it was it did plenty of damage
to the buildings. All the windows
of the farm house beyond me
were absolutely shattered but 3 beyond the scrape I got the only
other casualties were 1 Corp, a
small puncture in leg & 1 L/C
a cut in neck from a falling
slate or tile. When the bomb
burst I fell flat down as did
the Sergt wandering what was
coming next & we had scarcely
done so when down came the
next one about 20 yds on the
other side. This one landed
in an orchard where the ground
was hard & the effect of it
was horrific & the explosion
deafening . Quite large size
trees were cut through but as
we were lying down not a
fragment touched us or anyone
else. It seems very ridiculous
to return any such slight casualties
but it has to be done &
it is only because I am 4 afraid they may be published
& to prevent your feeling at all
alarmed that I give you the
full details. At any rate
dear Mother you know I am
quite all right & when I tell you
I did a ride, after getting a small
piece of dressing on my arm &
went round the trenches till
1pm you will feel certain
that there is not much the matter.
The move has now apparently been
cancelled at which we are all
delighted & we hope that leave
will soon be started again.
Would you please tell Reuben Payne
& Ireland to & to put a pair of riding
breeches in hands & have them
ready for trying on when I get
home. I shall also want
to pay a visit to Dentist
but of course I cant make 5 any appointment till I know
when I will be leaving. Now Mother dear I must close. With love to all
Your loving son Jim 6 Rcd 3rd March /16 Mrs. S.C. Davidson
Seacourt
Bangor
Co Down
Ireland Jim Davidson 29/2/16 7