40 Henry Smith, family letters and cards

Letters sent by the families of COs in prison were a great comfort and a source of news. In our collections we have many examples of these letters. Henry Smith received letters and postcards from his extended family, with words of love and encouragement. His father wrote on 21 November 1918 to give the news that Henry’s mother had been part of a deputation to 10 Downing Street, calling for improvements in prison conditions. While on 11 February 1918 his sister Emily wrote to explain that Bertrand Russell, the prominent pacifist and member of the Non-Conscription Fellowship, had, once again, been arrested. Smith also received several postcards, some from his supporters, others simply bearing news from family holidays.