Waterford Prisoner of War Complains of his Treatment

The Waterford News - 20th of April 1917, Page 5

 

Waterford Prisoner of War Complains of his Treatment
Courtesy of The Waterford News

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WATERFORD PRISONER OF WAR COMPLAINS OF HIS TREATMENT.

Private J. O’Neill, son of Mrs. K. O’Neill, 128 Barrack street, Waterford, is a prisoner of war in Giessen, Germany. This Waterford soldier has managed to evade the German censor of letters and to write a letter to his mother in which he complains of his situation. He says.-
" I have just met with an accident, and have a very sore finger, and they have locked me up for the past fourteen days. I have only seen a doctor once. Give this to the paper. Don’t be surprised if you hear of me being in an asylum, or else of my death, as I am completely fed up."
The relatives of private O’Neill will take comfort from the reflection that their son is using the exaggerated language of depression caused by illness, and that he is probably not so badly treated as his letter would indicate. Nevertheless Private O’Neill’s case might well form the subject of enquiry.