Letter from John S. Campbell to George Hackney, 20 September 1916 Letters 1916-1923 John S. Campbell

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Letter from John S. Campbell to George Hackney (1889-1977). Campbell thanks George for sending him information about his son Jack in a previous letter. He has written thrice to Jack asking about the nature of his injury but received no reply, and thus assumes 'it is in the privates'. John asks if soldiers have any opportunity to spend money while in hospital, and if there is any point in sending Jack some. He writes several questions about how Jack is getting on and implores George to 'tell me all'. He invites George to visit if ever he returns to Belfast.This letter is from the papers of George Naphthali Hackney, a Lance Corporal from Clifton, Belfast. Before his time in the army, he worked as a book-keeper for a florist. He was the youngest in a Presbyterian family of six, with three older sisters. In 2014, his collection of photographs taken in the trenches were made available to the public in an Ulster Museum exhibition, and his life and photography became the subject of a BBC documentary, 'The Man who Shot the Great War'. In 1916 he was injured and spent some time in Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield.

 Public Record Office of Northern Ireland Papers of George Hackney, Belfast, D3503/5/1-6-7 https://letters1916.ie/item/733 English John S. Campbell 1916-09-20 Avondale Villas, Cyprus Avenue, Bloomfield, Belfast George Hackney 31 Ward, 'D' Block, Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield, England Male World War I (1914-1918) Personal Relations

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 Avondale Villas, Cyprus Avenue ,Bloomfield, Belfast. Sept 20th 1916 Corpal. George Hackney Dear Sir Your very welcome letter to hand for which I am indeed exceedingly obliged. I am indeed anxious about my Son Jack. I wrote him asking him to let me know the nature of the kick. I am only guessing it is in the privates & I would like to know, I also want to know if money would be of any use to him. I can't get any information from him as you say his letters are all censored. I understand that when you Soldiers go into Hospital your money stops. Now would you tell me if I could send him say a few shillings for his pocket. Could or would it be any use to him. Can he get out to spend it or buy anything he wants. Of course we send him cigarettes & parcel every week to hospital. I am glad he came through the 1st of July free from wounds. How did he stand the war. Is he very nervous. You say he is looking in the pink at present. Is there any chance of him getting home to Belfast as he was not home since he left for France. I would like to see him & so would his mother. How was he getting along in the Army. I know you will tell me all If ever you are in Belfast you might call at the enclosed address. Thanking you very much for your kind letter & waiting your reply. I am Yours Sincerely John S Campbell Blank back of envelope Blank back of envelope 31 Ward, 'D' Block, Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield, England Letter from 'Ernie' to George Hackney, 18 September 1916Letter to George Hackney, 21 September 1916Letter from Flossie Briggs to George Hackney, 1 October 1916Letter from Flossie Briggs to George Hackney, 28 September 1916Letter from John S. Campbell to George Hackney, 20 September 1916Letter from Elizabeth Hackney to George Hackney, 1 October 1916 Avondale Villas, Cyprus Avenue, Bloomfield, Belfast Letter from John S. Campbell to George Hackney, 20 September 1916 John S. Campbell Letter from John S. Campbell to George Hackney, 20 September 1916