Soldier Record

Sergeant Adams was serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when taken prisoner of war during the German Spring Offensive, 23rd March 1918. He was incarcerated at Langesalza, then transferred to Cassel P.O.W. camp, and subsequently to Werben. Whilst prisoner in Werben, Adams made a successful escape [image]. After being on the run for several days, he was recaptured by a German officer out riding his horse in the countryside, who led him back to camp tethered to the saddle of his horse.

I was very lucky to be taken prisoner Mother dear

Letter

No 2 Passiten Company, POW Camp

Kriegsgefangenenlager bangensalza.

Absender Sergt Wm S Adams P21626.

1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

My dearest Mother,

I am sure you will have heard the news from poor Nell about me by now. I was taken prisoner at St Quentin on 22nd March. I was very lucky to be taken prisoner Mother dear and although I am further away from all my loved ones I feel fine and will be happy and content to know I am safe here from all the danger and I know the war won’t last long, so we will soon see each other again. I am real well Mother and getting settled down to this life if I only had a parcel and some smokes. I had not a cig now for 4 weeks. If you get any chance send me a parcel. I know the girls will all subscribe a shilling or two now and again and try to send me a bit of bread and tinned stuff such as syrup, Jam, condensed milk, tea, sugar, black pudding, cheese or things like that to keep. We get 3 meals here every day. But not like we are accustomed to. Find out at the P.O. how you can send me a parcel and don’t forget a smoke for God’s sake. Send in a packet of Players loose in every envelope and try and make it a habit for someone to write every week. I am so lonely dear Mother. I can receive as many letters as I like but can only write 2 postcards a month so you won’t hear very much from me but don’t worry I will be alright as long as I hear from you often and get an odd parcel. Father and all would be greatly surprised I am sure. Tell Mr Crossley after that he might know of some fund and put my name on it I ask Father to find out about my pay from Beggars bush if it still goes on. I am sure poor Nell was in a state about me Mother dear and all the girls and I just had £2-5 saved up for Marcella. Tell him it will be alright first chance I get. I lost everything. I have only a spoon and two handkerchiefs and a water. I have a good clean bed here in a good Barrack hut, fires and all in it, 2 blankets, and we get baths and clean clothes regular. We were vaccinated and inoculated four times so we are fairly all right from disease. Nell’s brother and all my pals were taken with me only I think Meg’s hubby was killed. I am not sure. Don’t mention it to her till I find out for sure. Poor Nell won’t be able to send me much from her money. I have no razor and not a scrap of soap. I have washed with clay for the last four weeks. Try and send me a bit of toilet and shaving soap. My birthday was on the 6th. I supposed you remembered it Mother. [...]

I will keep my heart up and you do the same Mother and we will all meet again soon. How is Vic or where is he? If you let Mr Grennan and the boys on the railway know they might send me a few fags now and again my address is as above. Bangensalza Germany, don’t forget to put P21626. I may be here for some time. Sergeants don’t do any work here at all. The weather is lovely just like summer. This is a big town and a big camp so very good conveniences, don’t forget the smokes Mother and some hard tobacco if my pay runs on I’ll allot you a couple of pounds now and again and you can draw it and send me a parcel. No more now, fond love and god bless you all and keep safe. I always pray for you all and god answered my prayers for me Mother dear and kept me safe. Good bye now write soon.

Stanley.