Letter from Thomas Smyth, 10 May 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Thomas Smyth

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 Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities Vienna, AT 2026

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This is a letter from Thomas Smyth detailing how on 2 May he was searched in a rough manner by members of the Staffordshire Regiment of the British army and had money and cigarettes taken from him. The letter requests that enquiries to be made on his behalf with a view to compensating him for his losses.

National Archives of Ireland Chief Secretary’s Office Registered Papers, CSO RP/1916/8767/1 https://letters1916.ie/item/2115 English Thomas Smyth 1916-05-10 31 Guild Street, North Wall, Dublin, Ireland Male Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Easter Rising Ireland 1916

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 31 Guild St. North Wall, Dublin. 10th May 1916 Hon Sir I beg to bring the following facts about your notice. On Tuesday morning May 2nd in or about 6 o clock I was coming from Kingsbridge Railway Station. I was challenged on a couple of occasions by some members of the staffordshire regiment who were on duty and allowed to proceed. When I arrived at Arron Quay I was held up by three members of the same regiment and brought round to the rere of Arron's Quay R C Church and these three soldiers searched my pockets in a very rough manner I had on my person the sum of £13 in Bank notes, on the Bank of Ireland and Provincial Bank, and a sum of about 3£ in copper & others. They forcibly took this from me, along with some other articles including cigarettes. I was satisfied from information I received the Times evening that a train would leave Kingsbridge for Cork at 6.30 am and it was it that brought me there. When I arrived there I made inquiries from a Corporal on duty & he very kindly made inquiries and informed me that the train was cancelled & it was, on my return home that the incident referred to took place. The amount stolen from me represented a years hard savings and I will esteem it a favour if you will cause inquiries to be made into the matter in order that recompense may be made me as it means a big loss to me in my circumstances. I have the honour to be Your Obedient Servant Thomas Smyth. Thomas Smyth Letter from Thomas Smyth, 10 May 1916 31 Guild Street, North Wall, Dublin, Ireland Letter from Thomas Smyth, 10 May 1916