Letter from Jo Sterdman to Samuel Davidson, 4 July 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Jo Sterdman

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 Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities Vienna, AT 2026

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A letter of condolence from Jo Sterdman to Samuel Cleland Davidson (1846-1921). Sterdman writes an account of James Davidson's actions during the battle of the Somme. He lost his life while returning, wounded, across No Man's land for aid. The letter finishes, ‘I am sorry I am unable to write you a good letter but even yet I am not myself after what I have come through this last 10 days, and the tears are rolling down the face of your friend and his friend’. 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. Sir Samuel Cleland Davidson was an Irish inventor and founder of the Sirocco Engineering Works in Belfast. During the First World War the Sirocco Engineering Works manufactured and exported equipment for cooling, drying, dust collecting, heating, ventilating, pneumatic conveyance for the Royal and Merchant Navy.

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland PRONI-D3642-B-8-61 https://letters1916.ie/item/3749 English Jo Sterdman 1916-07-04 SeaCourt, Bangor, Co. Down, Ireland World War I (1914-1918) World War I (1914-1918) Country and City Life

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 4th July '16 Dear Mr Davidson It is with the deepest regret and sorrow I start this letter to you, and cannot express in words what I feel about poor Jim, he always was so good & kind to me. All I can say in my poor way is that he died as he live a grand man, ad is for ever graded as one of "Brittians greatest Hero's." I am sure you know by now what he did, but I must tell you in my own words. He went across with the first and although getting casualties in his team took the German 1st and second lines, with the help of a few men made an emplacement in the 3rd line and although wounded started to work, one by one his men fell until he had no one but himself, and did he stop No!!! he worked on with his gun "singlehanded" although wounded through the leg. His ammunition ran out did he give in, those who know Jim well know the answer No !!!. He took bombs from the men round him and through them till his strength gave out. Some men carried him to a dug out in the German front line untill untill the bearers would come for him, Ah!!! there is the tradgity, the stretcher bearers could not come. The ground between our line and theirs was sweped with murdreous m/c gun and shrapnel fire which made it impossible for the bearers, ammunitions carriers or messengers to get across. Many a good life was sacrificed in trying to do this. Our men after fighting for hours were beaten back because of shortage of ammunition and men so when this word reached 4/ Jim he made his way out of the dugout to try & get back to rally his men, what a noble heart, — but found he was unable to do anything but crawl, therefor as no help was coming accrosshe tried to get back him self and while crossing "nomans land" was shot, I believe through the head & it is believed died instantly in no pain. Was not it a glorious ending to a glorious life. I am sorry I am unable to write you a good letter but even yet I am not myself after what I have come through this last ten days, and the tears are rolling down the face of your friend & his friend. Jo Sterdman On Active Service Written 21st Sent 26th June Mrs. S.C. Davidson Seacourt Bangor Co. Down Ireland JmDavidson 21-6-16 Jo Sterdman Letter from Jo Sterdman to Samuel Davidson, 4 July 1916 SeaCourt, Bangor, Co. Down, Ireland Letter from James Davidson to Samuel Davidson, 9 June 1916Letter from Jo Sterdman to Samuel Davidson, 4 July 1916