1
I am in receipt of the communication from the leaders
of the Rising in Enniscorthy dated 30th. April, 1916, and must
inform the leaders that the surrender must be unconditional
and at 2 p.m. today. G.A. French Colonel,
C.C.Troops, Wexford. May the 1st. 1916. 1) Restore thingsHands up 2Pm 85 E
2) Clear roads.
3)Arms up.
4)Barracks open.
5) ordertomorrow
6) Heggarty meets Col French
7) Police in charge
8) P.O. open
This is a letter from George A. French (1864-1950) to the leaders of the Easter Rising
in Enniscorthy. In this typed letter, Colonel French acknowledges the receipt of a
communication from the leaders of the Rising, and writes that their surrender must
'be unconditional and at 3 p.m. today'. Handwritten below the text of the letter is
a numbered checklist, apparently of actions to carry out relating to the defence against
the Rising. Born in Canada, French was the son of Major-General Sir G. French, first
commissioner of the North West Mounted Police ('the mounties'). He served in the British
Army, retiring in 1912 to live in Newbay House, Co. Wexford. In Easter 1916, French
came briefly out of retirement to command the Wexford defence against the rebels,
receiving their surrender at the end of the week.