| Title: | T. Hay, [Johannesburg?] to B M Smyth, Castledamph. |
|---|---|
| ID | 1364 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Hay, Thomas/19 |
| Year | 1901 |
| Sender | Hay, Thomas |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | soldier |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Transvaal, South Africa |
| Destination | Castledamph, Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Smyth, Bella M. |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | cousins |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth |
| Doc. No. | 506067 |
| Date | 1/7/1901 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 30:06:2005. |
| Word Count | 424 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of Envelope] Miss B.M. Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland [Written above address] From S.S. T. Hay 2NG B. Troop [Stamped] PASSED PRESS CENSOR [JOHANNESBURG?] [MODDERFONTEIR?] [11----?] [Back of Envelope] [Stamped] JOHANNESBURG 12 JUL. 01. 9 30AM 2 [Stamped] NEWTOWNSTEWART AU 3 [01?] [Letter 1] [Page 1] 1/7/01 Modderforten Transvaal South Africa My Dear Aunt just a few lines to you and my Uncle and Cousins hoping you [sic] all well and enjoying good health as I remain in good health up to the present, Dear Uncle I am just thinking about this time last year when I was enjoying myself among you and all my other friends I was not thinking about being out here again I am doing [sic] bit different business here than helping to set turnips and spread manure and stack hay or out with Tom looking for [Page 2] sheep and nothing to fear about. Dear Aunt I have been transferred from C. Troop to B Troop but it is for the best I have another shilling a day extra as shoeing smith. Dear Aunt we have had a few weeks chasing Boer’s and we had the mishap to get a few chaps wounded 4 horses killed and six wounded also one man taken prisoner but they behaved very well to him his name is Hensman you may see his name in the papers but they took all his ammunition, bandaleers, [bandoliers?] rifle killed his horse and sent him back to camp also showing him the [Page 3] road home also the mishap as happened to me was I lost my hat which was not very pleasant riding about in the sun all day but the first house I came to I rode up very cautiously and dismounted walked in searched the house for Boer’s and finding none I stole an old straw hat which acted for my purpose. Dear Aunt I hope you have not been ill lately or ill at present. I have wrote [sic] home to you and Uncle three times but I have not heard from you I am thinking you all must be very buisy [busy?] over there. Dear Aunt I am doing very well out here I have saved close on fifty pounds since I came here and I intend to save as [Page 4] much as I possibly can during my three years out here so as I can come home and try and start some little business for myself if I am spared to enjoy coming home again to Ireland to you. Dear Aunt I have heard from home last mail, all are well in L'pool [Liverpool?] Hoping these few lines will find you and Uncle and my Dear Cousins in the best of health, remember me to all my friends give them my best wishes. I remain your Loving Nephew T. [Tommy?] Hay to his Dear Aunt Mary S.S. T. Hay B. Troop Headquarters Modderforten South Africa |
