This letter is from the papers of George Naphthali Hackney (c. 1889-1977), 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 a Hospital in Calais, France, and in Wharncliffe War Hospital, Sheffield.Reverend John Pollock (1852-1935) was Minister of St. Enoch's Church in North Belfast, leading the largest Presbyterian congregation in the British Isles. He was also a prominent member of the Christian Endeavour movement , and composed many of its hymns. His only son Paul was killed in the Battle of the Somme.In this letter, Pollock writes of his 'bitter bereavement' at the presumed death of his missing son. He argues, however, that Paul's death was both noble and worthy, that he gave his life 'for the noblest of causes... the protection, advancement, and consolidation of the Kingdom of God'. Thus, Pollock argues, it is better for his son to be lying 'in an unmarked grave' having accepted his duty than to be still alive, having shirked it. He gives information of his search for Paul, and speculates on his fate.