The evening paper has just come out with the official news that Kitchener has been drowned or killed in H.M.S “Hampshire” off the Orkneys, sunk by mine or torpedo, no one saved, apparently early this morning. I have not seen a paper yet.
June 6th 1916. Extract from a letter from John Sampson. [John Sampson Archive: SP8/1/2/11/45]. This week’s war: 97.
Just a word to say that I have been to the Chemists who made a great fuss and said that in consequence of a new Army Order they are forbidden to send Opium Morphia or Cocaine in any form to officers or soldiers at the front.
May 25th 1916. Extract from a letter from John Sampson. [John Sampson Archive: SP8/1/2/11/41]. This week’s war: 95.
Very busy! Going to write to you last night when in came, disturbing work […], Miss Allmand and her brother, and both bored me to death, leaving at 11!! He and she as conceited as ever and more tiresome. He seems quite proud at not having been in the danger zone.
[…]
Thanks for all the news in your letter. I had heard last Saturday week that there had been 3 raids in Edinburgh in the previous 4 days. Fun about Ada! Is her sister interned?
May 16th 1916. Extract from a letter from John Sampson, University Librarian, to wife Margaret Sampson. [John Sampson Archive: SP8/1/2/11/40]. This week’s war: 94.
It was a surprise and a little shock to get Mick’s line this morning saying that he is indeed “overseas”. I thought it would come. It is hard to realize exactly how one feels about it. If one says, “It is a happy thing and a relief that Mick’s ability and application which got him his ‘D’, should now, without his seeking for it or anything outside the immediate duty, carry its reward by setting him free from the chances of war that wait far less happy and gifted boys”, it is only putting one side of the case. And one’s mind, once made up, is made up to all. I hope that he will be spared. But whatever comes Mick will have done well.
May 10th 1916. Extract from a letter from John Sampson, University Librarian, to wife Margaret Sampson. [John Sampson Archive: SP8/1/2/11/39]. This week’s war: 93.
I have been wondering a great deal about Mick’s course [musketry], and must ask him how long it will be. It seems to me that if the officers taking this course are all ‘selected’, and expected to do well, it must be much more than the ordinary routine or something just to fill up time for the wounded officers recuperating, and I cannot help thinking it possible that if Mick gets his “D” [distinction] – if he does not it will be owing to the stupidity of the examining brand – he might perhaps be retained here or at some other base as special instructor, which I should no greatly regret. Mick, one knows, is ready for any duty, but he has risked his life already more than once, and [?] his little bit, and if he were put on other duties just because he could do them better than others, I should be the last to regret it.
March 14th 1916. Extract from a letter from John Sampson. [John Sampson Archive: SP8/1/2/11/29]. This week’s war: 85.
Walkinson lent me a fearfully interesting account of the evacuation of Gallipoli, by his son (one of the last to leave) in a letter to Mrs W. […] These real accounts are so interesting. Nothing more from Mick yet.
22 February 1916. Letter from John Sampson, University Librarian, to wife Margaret Sampson [Sampson Archive SP8/1/2/11/17]. This week’s war: 82.
Major Jones says that now I shall be able to go just before Christmas which means, I think, that it will not be this weekend.
15 December 1915. Letter from Michael T. Sampson to his father John Sampson, University Librarian, from hospital [Sampson Archive SP8/1/2/10/107]. This week’s war: 72.
I have got installed in a large ward of officers, which is quite comfortable and pleasant. I saw Major Robert James when he came around about three o’clock; he said he would have my arm cut as Damer has said, on the next operation day.
25 November 1915. Letter from Michael T. Sampson to his father John Sampson, University Librarian, from hospital [Sampson Archive SP8/1/2/10/90]. This week’s war: 69.
It is a very doubtful time just now isn’t it? One can make nothing of the real position in the Dardanelles, and the Russian position is appalling.
21 September 1915. Letter from John Sampson, University Librarian, to his wife [Sampson Archive SP8/1/2/10/63]. This week’s war: 60.
Crossing to Birkenhead I saw from the stage a magnificent warship lying between there and Rock Ferry. A man looking at it said “Our biggest war-ship.” “Not the Queen Elizabeth?” “No, another of the same class, the Barham.”
17 September 1915. Letter from John Sampson, University Librarian, to his wife [Sampson Archive SP8/1/2/10/62]. This week’s war: 59.