1
H.M.S. Excellent
Portsmouth Dear Mother Just a line to let you know that
I recived your letter alright I had no word
from Sam since last week I see Dan Spence
is home. He can work the game alright I
am sorry to hear about Sammie not being
too well looking I expect he has been wounded
worse than he let on. You might send me
Jean's address I did o not get a scrape from
her this long time. There is not much doing
here only a big draft came in last night from
Chatam and there was a Belfast fellow among
them that stoped in Portstewart this summer
he has joined up and he says he does not
like it he spoted in John Frizzell house his
name is Martin I expect you will know them
I hope the fishing will keep up till the weather
improves we have a South East breeze blowing
hard today. I am getting along alright I got
a V.G for big gun drill. Tell Jessie I was ask—
ing for her. your loving son Willie
2
P/S I was going up this morning
to post this letter and when I
went into the office I discovered
that I had no purse as I changed
my close I thought it may be in my
other trousers but when I looked
for it I found it was gone there
was 18s in it so I am on the rocks
for a fortnight
Willie
Letter from William Shaw to his mother, Martha Shaw, updating her on his latest news.
William writes about his brother injured Samuel, who is serving with the Royal Inniskilling
Fusiliers in France. William also writes about the latest draft to arrive in Portsmouth
and a Belfast native who had recently visited Portstewart. In a postscript William
writes about his stolen purse and says that he will be on the rocks for a fortnight
as a result.
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.