1 IRISH ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTEER TRAINING CORPS.
(Authorised by the Government as the recognised Central Body of all affiliated
Volunteer Training Corps in Ireland.) Telephone -Dublin 4772 18 South Frederick Street,
Dublin. 15th April, 1916. Sir, I am directed by the Executive Committee of this
Association to transmit herewith for the information of His
Majesty's Government in Ireland copies of five resolutions
which have been unanimously adopted by the undermentioned
affiliated Volunteer Training Corps and forwarded to the
Association, accompanied, in each case, by an urgent letter
requesting that prompt action in the direction indicated
should be taken. The Corps referred to are: - (1) Belfast Volunteer Defence Corps.
(2) City of Cork Volunteer Training Corps.
(3) Irish Rugby Football Union Volunteer Corps.
(4) Queen's University (Belfast) 'Veterans' Volunteer Corps.
(5) Rathmines Volunteer Training Corps. 2. While the resolutions of a similar character have not,
so far, been received from the other affiliated Corps the
Committee are aware that the accompanying resolutions
reflect accurately and without exception the views of the
entire body of affiliated Corps. As a matter of fact one Corps - The Howth & Sutton Volunteer Training Corps, quite
an excellent and efficient unit raised shortly after the
outbreak of the War — has actually disbanded in consequence
of the failure to obtain any duty for its members. The
Committee are apprehensive that other Corps, finding themselves
in a similar position and being unable to hold their members
together, may also disband. 2 3. The Committee are fully aware that, under the existing

law, it is impossible, at the present time, to hope for or expect
the same full measure of recognition for Irish Volunteer Training
Corps as has been accorded to kindred bodies in Great Britain.
Their earnest desire is to help and not hinder the Authorities,
and their sole plea is for such a measure of recognition as would
entitle the affiliated Corps to discharge such functions and duties
as may be preformed by such bodies of men and to do so not merely on
sufferance but with the express sanction and authority of the Military
Authorities. the Committee desire me to state that, where these
duties require the members of the affiliated Corps to act under
military discipline, every member so employed is prepared not only
to take the Oath of Allegiance but also to conform in every respect
to military law and discipline which it has been one of the principal
aims of the Affiliated Corps to inculcate. 4. It may be of interest to state that all the affiliated
Corps in and around Dublin have, for some time back, been under
taking a duty which has earned the approval of the General Officer
Commanding the Troops in Ireland. This duty consists in detailing
parties of picked men to attend at the North Wall and other Railway
termini in Dublin, there to assist the various civilian organisations
which have been created to deal with the needs of, and lend assistance
to, wounded soldiers and sailors and those going on, or returning
from furlough. Parties are furnished daily to meet boats and
trains and the reports received encourage the Committee to believe
that the services rendered by the Corps in this connection are much
appreciated alike by the organisations referred to and the men
whom it is designed to help. This duty, which involves the
meeting of long distance boats and trains at early hours in the
morning and also late at night and, in some instances, providing 3 means of transport by motor car, are most cheerfully
and enthusiastically carried out by our men. In no case
does their work conflict in any way with that of the
Transport Officers and their men. 5. So far, this is the only employment which has been
entrusted to the affiliated Corps, and it has been undertaken
at the request of civilian organisations and not of the
Military Authorities, although it has earned the approval of
the latter. It is obvious that this duty can only engage
the services of a very limited number of men, preferably, those
who have by experience familiarised themselves with all its
details and are specially qualified for it as it demands more
than ordinary tact, discretion and good temper. 6. The Committee feel sure that, in a city like Dublin,
there must be other duties in which the Volunteer Training Corps
could take a useful part. Their members are only too anxious
to be employed by the Authorities. The guarding of munition
factories, for example, might be delegated to them. The
Committee are also assured that the members of the affiliated
Corps would, almost to a man, be prepared to act as Special
Constables if so required, and they submit that a force of
several hundred experienced and disciplined citizens might
be of the greatest utility in case of emergency. 7. It will be seen, however, that, in order to keep
such a force in readiness, it is absolutely necessary to maintain
in the various Corps a certain degree of cohesion, efficiency
and discipline and, if no hopes that such employment under the
properly controlled Authority can be held out there is a
serious danger that the Corps
may grow weary and disperse by degrees. 8. There is, further, a reason which the Committee think
in itself justifies the existence and maintenance of these Corps
in a state of effectiveness. They have partially trained and have
sent to the Army and Navy almost every eligible member who was on 4 their rolls at their inception and they have stimulated, both
actively and by example, recruiting in Dublin. 9. The Corps affiliated to the Association have, through
it, bee recognised by the Irish Government as bodies entitled
to wear the uniform prescribed for Volunteer Training Corps
in Great Britain, and are authorised to wear the "G.R." brassard
which is issued by the War Office. They have been given
authority to bear arms. They have been afforded the use of
military barracks as headquarters and as drill and parade grounds.
They enjoy the services of a Military Advisor appointed by the
Lord Lieutenant. They have been inspected and highly complimented
by the G.O. Commanding Troops in Ireland. They have been
reviewed by His Excellency Lord Wimborne who has also done the
Association the honour to become its President. 10. Neither the Association nor any of its constituent
bodies have any political affiliations or aims. The Corps
are open to member ship to any man who is prepared to comply
with the nine conditions laid down by the Irish Government.
The sole aim of every member is to serve the State according
to his ability and in any capacity that may be assigned to
him and, in order to do so efficiently, every man has made
considerable sacrifices in time, in work and in money. The
Committee, therefore venture to express the hope that the
Irish Government may speedily find some way of utilising
the services of the Volunteer Training Corps in such a manner
as will not only encourage the present members to persevere
but also to increase their numbers and improve their present
high standard of efficiency. Even if it be not possible
at present to use the Corps in any of the ways indicated,
the Committee would respectfully suggest to the Irish 5 Government that a statement might be made that, in the
event of any emergency arising, the claims of the Corps
to be actively employed would be considered. I have the honour to be
Sir,
Your obedient servant, R. Anderson
Hon. Secretary. Lt. Colonel,
The Right Honourable Sir Matthew Nathan, G.C.M.G.,
Under Secretary for Ireland,
Dublin Castle. 6 IRISH ASSOCIATION OF VOLUNTEER TRAINING CORPS. Resolutions adopted by affiliated Corp
s with regard to recognition. 1. Belfast Volunteer Defence Corps: -
"That this Council approach the Central Association
and other affiliated Corps, to ask them to join us in a deputation
to the Victory of Irelaand to ask for recognition by the
Government." 2. City of Cork Volunteer Training Corps: -
"That the City of Cork Volunteer Training Corps,
as an affiliated unit of the Irish Association of Volunteer Training
Corps, most earnestly requests the central organisation to use
every possible means to impress upon the Government our claim to
receive the same recognition and status as has been accorded to
similar bodies in England and Scotland. We feel that our Corps is capable of doing good and
useful work in the service of our Country. We have striven patiently and loyally to fit ourselves
for the discharge of such duties as may be entrusted to us, in
full confidence of receiving such recognition and encouragement
as would justify the expenditure of valuable time and money in
training our members. We feel that the matter is now urgent and that the
efforts which we have made deserve the encouragement or some
assurance that our services will be practically utilised should
occasion arise. We feel deeply the importance at the present
moment of fostering, particularly in this country, the spirit
which has animated the members of our Corps, and we respectfully 7 suggest that some means be found to grant us a status similar
to that accorded to cognate bodies in other parts of the United
Kingdom." 3. Irish Rugby Football Union Volunteer Corps; -
"That the Committee of the Irish Rugby Football
Union Volunteer Corps desire to call the attention of the
Executive Committee of the Irish Association Volunteer Training
Corps to the fact that this Corps has now been in existence since
August 1914 and has attained an admitted efficiency for military
duties in the nature of home defence; That they desire to
urge upon the Executive Committee of the Irish Association
Volunteer Training Corps the necessity of pressing upon the
Government that a definite statement should be made as
to whether there is any likelihood of any such duties being
assigned to them, otherwise the Committee fears that the
existence of the Corps will be endangered." 4. Queen's University (Belfast) Veteran's Volunteer
Training Corps; -
" That the I.A.V.T.C., be requested to ascertain from
the Government whether there is any prospect of this Corps being
recognised in the same way as the Central Association in England,
and of its being utilised on the lines originally suggested, vix; -
For the performance of such military duties in Ireland as would
set free for Active Service as equivalent force of regular
soldiers." 5. Rathmines Volunteer Training Corps; -
"That the Irish Association of Volunteer Training Corps 8 be asked to ascertain from the Irish Government whether there
is any prospect of this Corps being utilised on the lines
originally suggested, viz: - For the performance of such
military duties in Ireland as would set free for active
service an equivalent force of regular soldiers."