1 CHPI/25/ 2 Royal Irish Rifles
B.E.F France 3/5/16 Dear Fr Provincial PC, We cannot think
of anything else than the terrible things which have
been going on in Dublin. Please God it is over now
and that the authorities will use - as I am sure they will -
tact in dealing with it. We only see the accounts
in English, and French, newspapers. I hope none of our
people have suffered in the affair. Nothing has effected
Irishmen out here more than this. I have to doubt
things will soon be righted again. But it has been a
big lesson. Many who ought have known better seem
to have been asleep. - But least said soonest mended.
I pity the poor young lads who got entangled into
so horrible an affair. I see the XVI Division have been in it.
We too have had a bad week, but being of an
Irish regiment lost in an English army corps we never
get any praise. Ground mines were sprung and rushed
by the Germans, but our boys got into them at
once and grabbed them back.It was most ticklish for
a bit, but they got more than they expected 2
It will be known some day. Personally I am well, but utterly
jogged out. Last 18 months with hardly a free day is
a long strain, officially when there is the responsibility for
well near a thousand souls scattered over any number of units.
The few days leave are certainly no rest, but relieves me
of the responsibility for a few days. You can judge from
newspapers quite as well as we can as to the chances of
another year. It will be time enough to consider the question.
Of my going in a few months hence, but as things go now,
I certainly do not feel that I ought to. I long for a comfortable
rest. It is as by sense centred I feelings and imagin-
ation that it is possible to keep going on. I know that a
chaplain can do just that as much or as little as suits him,
but I should be ytterly unhappy were I not able to do the work
which has to be done. I have not seen any of our people
since I saw Fr. Doyle some months ago, even he complained of
the physical fatigue! You see I'm a rather bad bit of
the hive, when there was a bout of fighting a year or
less ago. He has to walk over an old battlefield to get
to our trenches; but I cannot say where we are. Please
give my kindest regards to all. I believe the "Declaration" if any
is for the kings birthday list. The last declaration would be the
permanent possession if a blackcoat! Hoping all will soon
be quiet again, Believe me dear Rev Father. Yours by H.V. Gill