Letter from Francis Vane of Hutton to Sir Reginald Brade, 5 October 1916. Letters 1916-1923 Francis Patrick Fletcher-Vane

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This is Vane's reply to a letter of 3 October from the War Office. He understands that, despite his record as a recruiting officer in Ireland and various positive comments and commendations from senior officers, he is 'no longer an officer'. He feels that his reporting of the murders of Sheehy-Skeffington, Dixon, and McIntyre, and his refusal to condone them, and his efforts to 'allay the feeling of anger' in Ireland, was beneficial to the reputation of the army and of H.M Government.He asks for an explanation from the Army Council of 'the reasons which led them to relegate me to unemployment' in view of the many commendations he received.Major Sir Francis Patrick Fletcher-Vane (1861-1934) was in command of Portobello Barracks during the Easter Rising. When he learned about activities of Captain J.C. Bowen-Colthurst he reported the matter to his superiors but, sensing a cover-up, went to London and reported to Lord Kitchener and Maurice Bonham Carter, private secretary to the prime minister. Although Bowen-Colthurst was court-martialed and found guilty, the outcome for Vane was that he was 'retired' from the military. John Dillon (1851-1927) was an Irish Party M.P. in the House of Commons. In a speech in the House on 11 May 1916 he strongly condemned the British handling of the Rising which had been put down “with so much blood and so much savagery”, and called for an immediate end to executions. Mr. Dillon assisted Mrs.Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington in her plea for a public inquiry and in various correspondence relating to the incident and raids on her home.

 Trinity College Dublin , Ms. 6837/27/5 https://letters1916.ie/item/1513 English Francis Patrick Fletcher-Vane 1916-10-05 National Liberal Club, London S.W., England. Reginald Brade War Office, London, England. Male Easter Rising Ireland 1916

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 Copy of reply to War Office letter 3rd, Oct, 1916. 29004/22 (C.I.) Sir Reginald Brade K.C.B. War Office National Liberal Club S.W. 5th October, 1916. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 3rd inst. I am, therefore, to understand that I am at present 'no longer an officer', in spite of the fact that for an action on the 27th April last, I was recommended for distinguished service in the field in command of men by the Brigadier, who was present. Moreover, for the command of the Defences, Portobello Barracks, during the week of the Rising, I was personally commended and thanked for this work and for the reorganisation of these posts, by the Officer Commanding the Troops. I beg to call the attention of the Army Council further to the fact that in reporting the murders of Messrs. Skeffington, Dickson, and McIntyre, and refusing to condone these murders, I performed valuable service for the Honour of the Army and for the reputation of H. M's Government in Ireland. This personal report of mine was carried through correctly. On the 1st May, six days after the illegal shootings, having remonstrated with the then Commanding Officer for placing Captain Bowen Colthurst in command of the Defences, he at the time being under accusation of murder, I proceeded in due sequence to report to the Irish Command, Park Gate. There receiving no assurance that the latter officer was to be placed under restraint, I proceeded to London and reported the facts to the Rt. Hon ble H. J. Tennant, late Parliamentary Secretary, W. O., (2nd May) and to the late Earl Kitchener, (3rd May). Mr Tennant in writing thanked me for this action, and Lord Kitchener, in the presence of Mr Bonham Carter, stated that I had acted quite rightly. Lord Kitchener in my presence dictated the telegram ordering Captain Bowen Colthurst to be placed under arrest, which in fact was not carried out until the 6th May - exactly ten days after the crimes had been committed. At the time of the occurrence of the Rebellion I was engaged in recruiting in Ireland, and at once volunteered my services for the suppression of the Rising. I was gazetted on the 31st March and posted by Garrison Order for duty during the Rebellion 24th April. May I point out that nothing has occurred to show that I failed in my duty as a recruiting officer and on the contrary so far as efficency in that work is concerned, it may be noted that at my own expense I raised 500 recruits in London between 24th August and 5th Sept., 1914. In addition there are the above reports proving my efficiency in the field. It is well known throughout Ireland that I did not spare myself in attempting to allay the feeling of anger which had arisen when the facts of the murders became known, by rendering every assistance in my power to the widow of the murdered man, and by making it known widely that the crimes were unauthorised. In these circumstances I must, therefore, ask you to convey to the Army Council my desire for an explanation of the reasons which led them to relegate me to unemployment on the 30th June, seeing that then I had only recently performed duties which earned me the recommendation of a Brigadier, of strong commendation of the Officer Commanding at Portobello Barracks and the thanks of Lord Kitchener, of Mr. Tennant, and of the Private Secretary to the Prime Minister. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, Captain, late Major R.M.F. War Office, London, England. Letter from Francis Vane of Hutton to Sir Reginald Brade, 5 October 1916. National Liberal Club, London S.W., England. Letter from Francis Vane of Hutton to Sir Reginald Brade, 5 October 1916. Francis Patrick Fletcher-Vane Letter from Francis Vane of Hutton to John Dillon M.P., 3 October 1916.Letter from Francis Vane of Hutton to Sir Reginald Brade, 5 October 1916.