Letter from Irish Prisoners, Frongoch to Laurence J. Ginnell, Esq., MP, 9 October 1916 Letters 1916-1923

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This letter was written by a group of Irish prisoners in Frongoch to Laurence Ginnell. The representatives want Ginnell to raise questions in parliament regarding the administration of a scheme in the camp whereby prisoners are entitled to a rebate of a percentage of what they have spent in the canteen. Frongoch Internment Camp in Wales was a makeshift prison used for the internment of approximately 1,800 Irishmen in the wake of the Easter Rising, 1916. It was to become known as the 'University of Revolution' because of the revolutionary nature of the inmates.Laurence Ginnell (1852 – 1923) was an Irish nationalist politician, lawyer, and member of parliament. He initially ran as a member of the Irish Parliamentary Party, but, from 1910 onward he ran as an Independent Nationalist. Among the signatories to this letter are Michael Staines, Thomas Sinnott and Richard Mulcahy.Staines (1885 - 1955) was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and served as Quartermaster in the GPO during the Easter Rising. After the Rising he was detained in Frongoch where he was elected Head Leader by his peers.Sinnott (1893 - 1965) was the Officer Commanding Wexford Brigade, 1916. After the rising he was detained in Frongoch where he was a Room Leader.Richard Mulcahy (1886 - 1971) fought with Thomas Ashe in Ashbourne during the Easter Rising. After the Rising, he was detained in Frongoch where he was also a Room Leader

 Military Archives of Ireland Bureau of Military History Contemporary Documents, George Gavan Duffy Collection, BMH CD 45/4/8/1 https://letters1916.ie/item/356 English 1916-10-09 Frongoch Internment Camp, Bala, Wales Laurence J. Ginnell Male Easter Rising Ireland 1916

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 9/10/16 Q.F.B. 10/10/16 Irish Prisoners, Internment Camp, Frongoch, 9th October 1916. To Laurence J. Ginnell, Esq., B.A. B.L., M.P. Sir, We the undersigned being the duly elected leaders of the above Camp would feel very much indebted to you if you could see your way clear to having the following questions asked in Parliament, at the earliest convenience :— (1) What is the percentage of the rebate allowed to the Irish Prisoners in Frongoch on their purchases in the Camp Canteen? Is the percentage of the rebate allowed supposed to be fixed at 10%? And if so, are the Camp Leaders or Prisoners' Auditor allowed to see the Canteen A/C each month. If not, why not, considering that it is solely the Prisoners' money that is being dealt with? (3) How are the Prisoners to know that they are receiving a rebate of 10% other than the system of merely letting the Leaders know that they can draw on the Canteen Fund up to £10 per month (4) Is it a fact that when there were 1,800 prisoners in the Camp in July they were only allowed £4:10:0 while an average of 900 men in August they received £10 and with 545 men in Sept. they also received £10 (5) Why are not the Camp Leaders allowed to purchase such goods as they think most suitable for the prisoners in the way of food, tobacco, cigarettes, etc., considering that it is solely the Prisoners' money? P.S. We would be glad if you would make inquiries into the alleged connection of the Adjutant of the Camp — Lieut. J.T. Burns (who has charged of the Canteen Fund) with the officer of that name connected with the Lipton scandal some few years ago. There are strong rumours concerning this; and certainly the Adjutant is obviously an officer of much service and experience for a mere Lieutenant. If this alleged connection is correct it may have a pertinent bearing on the above questions. Signed (5) 12/10/16 To A. Byrne Esq. We have been informed by the Adjutant on yesterday, 11th inst. that we may draw on the Canteen a/c up to £25 for this month, but we are not allowed to check accounts. Frongoch Internment Camp, Bala, Wales Letter from Irish Prisoners, Frongoch to Laurence J. Ginnell, Esq., MP, 9 October 1916Letter from Irish Prisoners, Frongoch to T. M. Healy Esq., KC, MP, 10 October 1916Letter from Irish Prisoners, Frongoch to Alfred Byrne, MP, 13 October 1916Letter from Irish Prisoners, Frongoch to William O'Brien, Esq., MP, 14 October 1916Letter to the Commandant, Prisoners of War, Frongoch, 25 October, 1916 Laurence J. Ginnell Letter from Irish Prisoners, Frongoch to Laurence J. Ginnell, Esq., MP, 9 October 1916Letter from Laurence Ginnell to Mabel FitzGerald, 26 May 1916Letter from Francis Sheehy Skeffington to Laurence J. Ginnell, 27 February 1916