Letter from William Shaw to Martha Shaw, c. 1916 Letters 1916-1923 William Shaw

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Letter from William Shaw to his mother, Martha Shaw, about his life aboard the H.M.S. Excellent. William mentions more about the recent thefts among the boys. He seems to think the "Derby dodgers" are the responsible party. William also writes that he has not gotten any word from his brother Samuel, who is serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in France. He also talks about a recent excursion of the Albermarle which was turned around due to the presence of destroyers. William Shaw (1893-1934) was a gunner in the Royal Naval Reserve. He volunteered for active service in 1915 and served on ships such as the H.M.S. Excellent and H.M.S. Albemarle, a battle cruiser. Before the War he was a fisherman.

 Public Record Office of Northern Ireland Shaw Papers, D1962-13 https://letters1916.ie/item/4192 English William Shaw 1916 H.M.S. Excellent, Portsmouth, England Martha Shaw Male 1934 World War I (1914-1918) World War I (1914-1918) Personal Relations Country and City Life

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 57 Mess Sunday H.M.S. Excellent Portsmouth My Dear mother, I was very glad to get your letter I got it on Friday night as I had no fags we do no get them as cheap here as we did on board ship, I went ashore Saturday night for awhile. I sent Jessie a doll I hope it will arrive in good order. Well I never saw my purse since Jack has lost his oilskin so you may guess what kind of boys the Derby dodgers is. It is nearly all them that came in here there was another draft came in on Friday night from Devonport, so you see they come and go every week from this place. There was a chap caught last night opening letters that did not belong to him, he was I expect he will get 14 days cells. I see by the paper that Mrs Jones had a good funeral I did not get any word from Sam this fortnight I am glad he is at the base I hope he will stick there for awhile. The Albemarle went to sea on Thursday last she was bound for Birkenhead but had to return I think it was the destroyers that was out and she had no ammunition she was going to refit/refill I just was thinking that Lizzie would not lef like the city it is not like Portstewart. I get your parcels on Monday midday I got the paper this morning. It is blowing and raining like anything today we are having bad weather as well as you. I am glad to see the fishing is keeping good I will close now with love for every—body not forgetting yourself Your loving son Willie PS I expect my father is writing the fishing notes today W. William Shaw Letter from William Shaw to James Shaw, December 1915Letter from William Shaw to Martha Shaw, 1915Letter from William Shaw to Martha Shaw, c. 1916Letter from William Shaw to Martha Shaw, c. 1916Letter from William Shaw to James and Martha Shaw, 1916 H.M.S. Excellent, Portsmouth, England Letter from William Shaw to James Shaw, December 1915Letter from William Shaw to Martha Shaw, 1915Letter from William Shaw to Martha Shaw, c. 1916Letter from William Shaw to Martha Shaw, c. 1916Letter from William Shaw to James and Martha Shaw, 1916