1 ROYAL NAVY BARRACKS CHATHAM 3rd May 1916 Sir I desire to bring to your notice the following,
whereby, thanks to the non-announcement of the troubles in Dublin,
I am out of pocket to the extent of some £5. On Monday 24th April I discharged an Irish
maid-servant Violet Williams from Chatham to Dublin. She was unable
to land in Ireland and having no friends or relatives outside
Dublin, I cannot see that she could have acted otherwise than she
did, which was to return to us when she found it impossible to
reach her friends. This girl has no experience as a traveller and
knows no one in England outside my own family. After many adventures
she finally reached Kingstown, but was then advised to return to
London as it was quite impossible for her to reach Dublin. What
else could a young inexperienced girl, travelling alone do, under
the circumstances especially as her stock of money was getting low?
On arrival in London on Saturday morning she telephoned to me and
rather than that she should be alone in London I told her to return
to my house, where she arrived Saturday p.m. Her total expenses during this period (5 whole
days) including journey from Chatham to Kingstown and back at single
rates, food, cabs, porterage etc. and such sleeping accommodation
as she could get, amounted to £5.1.6., and it was exceedingly fortunate
that she carried enough money to meet the case, though she could
not have gone on through another week end. Had the disturbed state of Dublin been announced
I, of course would not have dreamed of letting the girl go, but
under the circumstances, you will I am sure, agree that
compensation is due to me for the amount mentioned as I have of
course repaid the girl for what she spent over what I had allowed
her for the actual journey. I have the honour to be,
Sir
Your obedient servant
J. Smith-Wright
Lieut-Commander R.N, The Secretary Irish Office London S.W.