Letter from Arthur to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 14 January 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Arthur

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This letter was written by Arthur to Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer (1842-1917), who served as the Bishop of Limerick from 1888 to his death. In this letter Arthur refers to a letter previously sent by O‘Dwyer, in which the bishop sounded very pessimistic about things. In contrast, Arthur states that he believes the British forces grow stronger each day and the enemy weaker. Moreover, for him, British control over the seas ought to be a decisive factor. Arthur believes that both sides have made mistakes but that their side have fought with clean hands as they have been generous when sinking enemy ships and not a single female spy has been executed in England. This he regards as a sign of English chivalry. Arthur goes on to write that, sentiment aside, the loss of life and destruction caused by the war is lamentable. Arthur writes about the British withdrawal from the Dardanelles as a ‘ticklish’ operation, which was sure to have disappointed the Turks. Arthur wonders if any of his friends have shouldered a rifle before asking a favour of the bishop.

 Limerick Diocesan Archive LDA/BI/ET/F/3 https://letters1916.ie/item/2667 English Arthur 1916-01-14 Bannu, N.W.F., India Edward Thomas O'Dwyer Ireland Male World War I (1914-1918) World War I (1914-1918)

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 Bannu NWF India Jan 14 1916 My Lord I was delighted to get your very welcome letter, which appears to have just escaped the fate of the Persia. I'm seen very pessimistic about things. I am not one bit. Every day we grow stronger & stronger — the enemy weaker & weaker, and our control of the seas must prove a powerful factor. Of course we have made mistakes — so have the enemy. And one thing , we are fighting with clean hands. — or do you disagree? Even when we have sunk enemy ships, we have behaved generously towards them. And has a single spy woman in England been executed? Perhaps its all Quixotic chivalry — but still it is chivalry. But apart from all sentiment it is terrible to think of the loss of life, and destruction of farmers works. Europe has been turned into a shambles. Our withdrawal from the Dardanelles seems to have been skilfully planned and executed. It must have been as "ticklish" an operation as has ever been carried out, and it most sorely disappoint the Turks that they haven't "bagged" the crowd. Is Ralph Vincent Nash working at any of the "operation theatres" ? And have any of my other Limerick friends shouldered a rifle, or fixed spur to boot? I see a great friend of mine lost his life — namely Fr Brown By the way May I ask a favour. I haven't seen a " Clongownian " for the last year. I wrote to the Editor, but probably my letter miscarried. I would be so grateful if you could get it for me? I see the question of our promotion out here is again being pressed & I hope the present state of things will be remedied. It's hard luck having " youngsters" passed over our heads. & after the war ( when)? will not endure smooth working of the service. Hoping you are enjoying the best of health. Yours Affectionately Arthur Ireland Letter from George A. Lyons to the Honorary Secretary of Sinn Féin, 5 April 1916Letter from Seán Mac Diarmada to Tom Clake, 5 April 1916Letter from Michael O'Riordan to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 12 May 1916Letter from Eoin McNeill to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 18 April 1916Letter from R. Barry O'Brien to Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer, 12 February 1916Letter from Mairín Ní Ribhógh to James Ryan, 2 August 1916Letter from ‘One of the Hard Pressed’ to Mr. Samuel, 28 July 1916Letter from Emma Duffin to her aunts, 9 January 1916, Letter from Arthur to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 14 January 1916Letter from Fr. C. F. Maher to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 16 April 1916Letter from Michael O'Riordan to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 23 October 1916Letter from Michael O'Riordan to the Right Rev. Monsignor Denis Hallinan, 23 October 1916Letter from Peter Mooney to his sister Katie Mooney, 4 February 1916.Letter from Father Willie Doyle S.J. to Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan, 25 January 1916Letter from Father Willie Doyle S.J. to Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan, 25 February 1916Letter from Father Willie Doyle S.J. to Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan, 31 December 1915Letter from Father Willie Doyle S.J. to Mai, 22 January 1916Letter from Father Willie Doyle S.J. to Mai, 11 February 1916Letter from MW O'Reilly to 'A Cara', 1 June 1916Letter from Francis M. Shaw to Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan, 1 March 1916Letter from Francis M. Shaw to Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan, 10 March 1916Letter from Nora Ring to Susan Daly, March 1923Letter from Douglas Campbell (later Major General Sir Douglas Campbell) to his sister Catherine Agnes Meta Campbell (later Wetherall), 28 October 1917Letter from William Upton Tyrrell to Victoria Mary Tyrrell, 19 November 1919Letter from Mary McDonagh to her daughter-in-law Annie McDonagh, early 1920 Bannu, N.W.F., India Letter from Arthur to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 14 January 1916 Edward Thomas O'Dwyer Letter from Michael O'Riordan to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 12 May 1916Letter from Eoin McNeill to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 18 April 1916Letter from C. Moran to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 15 August 1916Letter from W. H. Grattan Flood to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 15 September 1916Letter from R. Barry O'Brien to Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer, 12 February 1916Letter from General John Grenfell Maxwell to Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer, 6 May 1916Letter from General Sir John Grenfell Maxwell to Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer, 12 May 1916Letter from Arthur to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 14 January 1916Letter from Fr. C. F. Maher to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 16 April 1916Letter from Fr. Peter C. Yorke to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 26 June 1916Letter from Michael O'Riordan to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 27 May 1916Letter from Michael O'Riordan to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 10 June 1916Letter from Michael O'Riordan to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 23 October 1916Letter from M. M. Carroll to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 1 June 1916Letter from the Limerick City Regiment of the Irish Volunteers to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 14 September 1916Letter from Bishop Edward Thomas O'Dwyer to General John Grenfell Maxwell, 17 May 1916Letter from Patrick Carey to Edward O'Dwyer, D.D., 29 November 1915 Arthur Letter from Arthur to Bishop E. T. O'Dwyer, 14 January 1916