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(Copy) R.I. Constabulary Office, Dublin Castle. 4/3/16. Dear Sir, With
reference to our conversation on the telephone
yesterday I now send you a copy of the circular that was issued
with regard to the formation of a school of instruction for
N.C.O's from the R.I.C. in consultation with the Military
Authorities. The latter subsequently decided to take 150 of
our men - instead the 100 referred to in the circular. In response to the circular,
199 men volunteered, of
whom 5 subsequently with drew their names. From the remaining
194, the number allotted to the class, viz: 150 have been
selected be the I.G. and they will join on Monday next. Yours very truly, (Signed) G.H. MERCER,
Private Secretary.
THE SECRETARY,
Department of Recruiting for Ireland.
Letter from George Hugh Mercer (b. 1872), private secretary in the Royal Irish Constabulary
(RIC) Office, Dublin Castle to the secretary in the Department of Recruiting for Ireland.
The letter details a school being set up to train non-commissioned officers for the
RIC. The school, Mercer says, will take in 150 officers and is set to start the Monday
after the letter was sent. The letter is also accompanied with a circular about the
formation of the school.The department of recruiting for Ireland oversaw the recruitment
of Irishmen to the British army to fight in the Great War.