Note from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 16 May 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Francis Fletcher-Vane

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Note from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane (1861-1934) to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946) arranging a meeting so that Vane may express his regrets and sympathy. Major Sir Francis Patrick Fletcher-Vane was a British officer in command of Portobello Barracks. When he learned about the activities of Captain J.C.Bowen-Colthurst during Easter Week he reported the matter to his superiors but, sensing a cover-up, he went to London and reported it directly to Lord Kitchener and Maurice Bonham Carter, Private Secretary to the Prime Minister. Although Bowen-Colthurst was court-martialled and found guilty, Vane was 'retired' from the military for his actions. Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946), suffragette, nationalist, language teacher, was the founder of the Irish Women’s Franchise League and a founding member of the Irish Women Workers’ Union. She was the widow of Francis Sheehy-Skeffington who was summarily executed on 26 April 1916. She was active during the Rising, bringing food to the Volunteers in the G.P.O. and the College of Surgeons. Four days passed before she found out what had happened to her husband, Francis (1878-1916), and it wasn't until almost two weeks later that the full details of his execution emerged.

 National Library of Ireland Sheehy Skeffington Papers, Collection List No. 47; Ms 33,608/1-11 https://letters1916.ie/item/3812 English Francis Fletcher-Vane 1916-05-16 Gresham Hotel, Sackville Street, Dublin, Ireland Hanna Sheehy Skeffington Male 1934 Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Politics Personal Relations

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 Gresham HotelSackville St. My dear Mrs. Skeffington. I am so sorry. Prof Kettle saidthat I should see you at 1pm —It is very kind of you to see me atall — but if I may come here tomorrowat 12 noon — it will afford mesatisfaction to express my profound sympathy. Yours sincerelyFrancis Vaneof Hutton. 16 May 1916 Francis Fletcher-Vane Postcard from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 25 July 1916Note from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 16 May 1916Note from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 19 May 1916Note from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 21 May 1916Letter from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 7 June 1916Letter from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 28 July 1916Letter from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 20 July 1916Letter from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 17 July 1916Letter from Francis Fletcher-Vane to Joseph Cyrillus Walsh, 23 June 1917 Gresham Hotel, Sackville Street, Dublin, Ireland Note from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 16 May 1916