1
War Office, London, S.W.
Contracts. Firms. K/1739. (A.G.3.) 3 rdJune 1916. Sir, I am commanded by the Army Council to acquaint
you for the information of the Chief Secretary for Ireland
that a request has been received in this Department, from
Messrs George Kenning & Son, of 1,2, & 3 Little Britain,
London, E.C. asking if there is any objection to Masonic
Swords being supplied by them to various parts of Ireland. They are stated to be
purely ceremonial articles
and of no use for any other purpose. The Council desire me to say that they would
be
glad to be informed whether the Chief Secretary for Ireland
has any objection to these swords being supplied. I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant, B B Cubitt The Under Secretary, Irish Office, Old Queen
Street Westminster. S.W.
This is a letter from Bertram Cubitt (1862-1942), the secretary of the War Office,
to Robert Chalmers (1958-1938), the under-secretary for Ireland. Cubitt began his
career in the War Office in 1886, working as a civil servant until his retirement
in 1926. Robert Chalmers became under-secretary following the resignation of Matthew
Nathan (1862-1939) in the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising due to his administration's
failure during the rebellion.