Page 19 - Greystones Archaeological Historical Society

GREYSTONES ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL SOCIETY JOURNAL VOLUME 8

The love letter that Jack wrote to Biddy is held in the files of
the National Archives. This first striking aspect to this
correspondence is its length. Jack it seems was very love-struck
indeed. Jack has only been
gone from Bray for a little over
a week -and very little has
happened yet in military terms
- but still the letter extends to
12 pages and includes 12
separate references to
‘dearest’ or ‘dear’ Biddy and a
total of 66 kisses, 13 of which
are for Biddy’s mother. Before
the letter, Jack had already
sent Biddy a telegram on
departure to England from
Belfast. Jack, as they say, had
it bad.

But Jack’s letter also gives
us an important insight into some of the varied reasons why
young men joined the forces in 1914. Sometimes it was to
impress a young woman. Jack tells Biddy on page 3 of his letter:

‘I took your advice. I went to my duty this morning and felt
much happiness. Thanks to God.’

On page 4 he tells Biddy:

‘I have made my army Will and you are my heir to anything I
have to give. I have also made arrangements to send you
one shilling per day while I am serving, that is to say every
week you will receive 7 shillings out of my pay. You might as
well have it and don’t work so hard while you get the money.’

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