1 In replying to this letter, please write on the envelope:
Number 1 Name H. J. Boland
Dartmoor Prison The following regulations as to communications, by Visit or Letter, between prisoners
and their friends are notified for information of their correspondents The permission to write and receive letters, is given to prisoners for
the purpose of enabling them to keep up a connection with their respectable friends
and not that they may be kept informed of public events. All letters are read by the Prison Authorities. They must be legibly
written and not crossed. Any which are of an objectionable tendency, either to or
from prisoners, or containing slang, or improper expressions, will be suppressed. Prisoners are permitted to receive and to write a letter at intervals,
which depend on the rules of the stage they attain by industry and good conduct;
but matters of special importance to a prisoner my be communicated at any time by
Letter (prepaid) to the Governor who will inform the prisoner thereof if expedient. In case of misconduct, the privilege of receiving and writing a letter
may be forfeited for a time. Money, Books, Postage Stamps, Food Tobacco Clothes, &c., should
not be sent to Prisoners, for their use in prison, as nothing is allowed to be received
at the prison for that purpose. Persons attempting to clandestinely communicate with, or to introduce
any article to or for prisoners, are liable to fine and imprisonment, and any prisoner
concerned in such practices is liable to be severely punished. Prisoners' friends are sometimes applied to by unauthorised persons to
send money, &c., to them privately, under pretence that they can apply it for the
benefit of the prisoners, and under such fraudulent pretence, such persons endeavour
to obtain money for themselves. Any letter containing such application, received by
the friends of a prisoner should be, at once, forwarded by them to the Governor. Prisoners are allowed to receive Visits from their friends, according
to rules, at intervals which depend on their stage. When Visits are due to prisoners notification will be sent to the friends
whom they desire to visit them. No. 243
(8254-20-4-00) 2 May 19th 1916 My Dear Mother , I arrived here on yesterday after travelling
24 hours. We left Mountjoy on Wed at 6.0 from North Wall we came
in a Troopship to Holyhead, we travelled across England & were 15 hours
in the train. we came thro' Nth Wales to Chester thence to Crewe on
thro' Staffordshire to Birmingham, where we delayed some time, we were
much looked at at all the stations, we had an escort of Soldiers who I must
say were fine fellows giving us every civility! We came along thro Warwickshire
Somerset & Devonshire to Plymouth & the Glories of the South West of
England were enjoyed by us. We had much speculation as to our
destination Some of us said Portland whilst others said Dartmoor
Shouldice & Donovan had many arguementsover their Geography
as we passed thro certain towns Jack would say thats in Warwick
Conn would say "twas in Staffs & so on we were all wondering where
we were bound for. when we arrived at Plymouth we were told
Dartmoor was to be our destination then we had much speculation
as to how many Irish were here before us but we were the first
contingent & I had the honour of being the first Irish man to cross
the threshold. there was 12 of us in the Party & we sang our
songs grave & gay as we travelled along. to west of England.
I am afraid I wont have many visitors here as it is so far
away from home. however some old friend may be holiday
making along this way & may call in to see me. At any rate I
can keep in touch with home as we all intend to earn every
privilidge we can while we are here. I was reading on my journey
that there is to be a settlement of the Irish Question by Carson
& Redmond consenting to agree it would be a great thing to
us who are suffering for our country to know that we had
settled the Question. I am very happy & quite resigned to my
fate & I feel sure that we shall be together soon when
we can resume our old happy life I pray God to keep
ye all safe & sound "till I come back I know it
will be a hard struggle for you to manage with out
me but God is good & you are such a great heart 3
that you will find a way to carry on tell Ned that I got his
message from Fr MacMahon I was glad to hear that Ned
was working away as I thought the town would be Idle for some
time. I was very sorry to hear I hope it is not true that
Ena lost her position over the trouble. God knows She lost enough
without this. This Dartmoor is beautifully situated I remember
reading with delight a book named Lorna Doone it dealt
with the place I little dreamt that the time would come when
I should be brought a prisoner thro the very country I so
much admired when I read of its beauty by Kingsley. So Dear
Mother if you read Lorna Doone you will have an idea
of where I am. I have had a visit from the Chaplain I think He
is an Irishman We also will be allowed reading 2 Books per
week & I have just had a very good dinner so you see Mother I
am in for a good holiday & as I have no thing to be ashamed
of I will be at rest spiritually & materially. Let me know
how things are with you at home. I hope Kathleen is keeping
well & is she at business also my Dear Aunt give her a
special word from me & tell her not to spoil the dog with
kindness. Tell Mr & Mrs Treacy I send them all my love. When you go into my old Firm Todd Burns & Co go round
to the Millinery & tell Mary OKeefe that I wish to be remembered
to her & all the girls in the house & tell Duggan to convey
the same to the men whom I worked with so long. Harty or
OToole might come over on a holiday to see me or Davy or
Tom Burke. if I gain the privilege of 2 letters per month
I will send one to OMahony & Davy & some of my friends.
I was told that 2 girls called to see me while I was in
mountjoy but were refused admissionn from the descriptin it
must have been Celia & Anna tell them the first opportunity I
have I will return the visit, I have no care on me now if
I am assured that you are able to manage I have no doubt
of your courage & I am sure you are better off now than you 4
when Father Died when you were left with 5 of us babies
to rear & you reared us all & gave us everything that was
necessary to us & as Fathers friends stood to you then you will
find others now. Poor Gerald was deported I believe but
I am sure when things settle down in Ireland all
these men will be allowed home & maybe some of us.
We are all to say a prayer that the we will all
leave here together & we have a grand holiday laid out
on our release. We are the most optimistic party that
ever entered this establishment we are convinced that when
all these wars are over then men will on reflection see that
we fought an old fight & they may, especially if the Irish
Question is settled give a General Amnesty as they did in South
Africa. At the same time we are prepared to go our full time.
I want you to tell all my friends that I am quite happy cheerful
& content I can not write to them all. If you would rather
keep my Croke Cup Medal & give Mrs OToole my Dublin Championship
medal you may do so as she was very nice to me & I promised
her that day on the field before the match that I would give
her the medal if we won you can keep the rest of them & give
her the other. I wonder will I be too slow to play when I come
out, the regular life here will have me in great form. We
arrived here at 7.0 & were a source of wonder to the
parish as I am sure it is an unusual sight to see 12
men some in uniform & some not marching under guard of
fixed Bayonets to prison but we marched with heads
up & firm foot as Irishmen the people were quite
respectful to us, I will now close this note hoping I have
convinced you that I am quite happy & settled & will face
this business in the proper spirit so now may God Bless you
give you comfort & keep ye all until happier days when we
shall all be united in home. You may be quite sure that
we will be well treated. Your loving son
Harry .