1 234 Spamount St., Belfast 18th Sept. 1916 . Dear George, Your very welcome letter received this morning. Although
Jenny told me that you were going into hospital in France, I did not know
you would be so soon in England. I am sure you are not in the least
hurry to get back any more than hundreds of others. I have heard of
chaps who were very anxious, according to the story, to get back to the front,
but strange to say I never met one yet. I have seen some of the chaps
home on leave since the advance & I never saw such changes in some of
them. Some of them appear to be quite broken down I note your request re plates. Re no 7 set. I was going to
write to you to say that these had not turned up, but when I got
up to the place this morning I found them waiting for me. It is
strange that they should have arrived at the same time as your
letter. I understand that the chap forgot to deliver them
No.6 & 8. I made contact prints of these and gave them to Jenny to send
on so probably they are now in France. However I will do the
p.c.'s as requested. Also the copy of 42D. Re files 90. This part of your letter puzzled me a bit as I had not the faintest idea to what it referred, and I had not got the note enclosed with no 7 set, when I read your letter. You ordered two cards of no 15D the dog which J.E. was holding. I
tried a card one night I was doing some for W.Ewing-who has got 2 badly bitten with the photographic habit - but it did not turn out very
satisfactory, and I did not send on. Does this order still hold good?
The socks deleted textyou did not receive for the excellent reason that
they were not sent on. Mother wrote her letter before she had the
socks finished && 'the best laid plans, etc' I suppose you have heard by this time that the one & only W.Campbell
has got the D.S.O. I would not be surprised at anything he
got, as he is quite capable of anything. By the way, the name of Sheffield reminds me that it was in
Watson & Co. 84 High St. Sheffield, that your camera was purchased. I believe I forgot when mentioning Albert Mitchell to put in
his No. & Batt, re. I think I left the place blank as I did
not know his address at the time I was writing & then closed the letter without putting it in. I suppose however it does not matter now. Did you ever see anything of Jack McMullan since he went to
deleted text France? No person here seems to know anything about him. I think I will close with kindest regards from all. Yours sincerely
Ernie P.S. Re Daily Sketch. I will think it over.
E. 3 From 234 Spamount St. Belfast 14/14815, L.-Corpl. George Hackney, 14th R.I. Rifles, Y.C.V. 31 Ward, 'D' Block, Warncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield. 4 print 4 No 10 Set 8. PC.
No hurry back
No 7 glad
Cancel Files 8c.
15D. not if not worth while.
WE. P Crage married
WE. DSO
Camera Sheffield
amichell no number in
J mc Mullan