Note from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 19 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) regarding his day out with her son Owen (1909-1970) and offering her any assistance she may need. 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 33,608/1-10 https://letters1916.ie/item/3813 English Francis Fletcher-Vane 1916-05-19 2 South Circular Road, Portobello, Dublin, Ireland Hanna Sheehy Skeffington Male 1934 Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Personal Relations

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 2 South Circular RoadPortobello. 19 May 1916 My dear Ms.Skeffington Owen was splendid yesterdayand I hope he enjoyed himself.He is a dear little fellow. Please send him round to see mewhen you like. I will always beglad to see him. Believe me you have my heartfeltsympathy. I cannot get the horrorout of my mind — Yours sincerelyFrancis Fletcher-Vaneof Hatton.Major. I need hardly tell you that anything I can doto help you, I will do to the very best ofmy power and I am near at hand. 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 2 South Circular Road, Portobello, Dublin, Ireland Note from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 19 May 1916Note from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 22 May 1916