Letter from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 17 July 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Francis Fletcher-Vane

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Letter from Major Francis Fletcher-Vane (1861-1934) to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946) detailing his recent activities. Aside from visiting H.G. Wells, Vane discusses his recent dealings with British politicians regarding an inquiry into the death of Francis Sheehy Skeffington during Easter Week. 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 33,608/1-1 https://letters1916.ie/item/3869 English Francis Fletcher-Vane 1916-07-17 National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, London, England Hanna Sheehy Skeffington Male 1934 Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Easter Rising Ireland 1916 Politics Law and Judiciary

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 National Liberal Club Whitehall Place, S.W. 17th July 1916. My Dear Mrs Skeffington, In have but now only returned from Essex, were I was with, (all yesterday), Mr H.G.Wells — with whom among other things I discussed the Irish question, and made him understand it. Though so brilliant a man, I do not really believe that he has quite grasped the recent developments of it, but now I feel sure he does. Being away, therefore, I could not arrange for the meeting between you and Mr Bonham Carter, and I am not sure that even if it had been here, that it would have been wise. You see the Prime Minister has all the papers, is dealing with these papers, is forced to attend to my claims through your lamentable affair, and has promised 1 To institute the Inquiry 2 To see according to his public statement as to my action, justice done. The admission which he has made of the justice of my case is a portion, the admission of yours, therefore I do not think that we need trouble about the matter so far. I put the Government under an obligation to me - the obligation involved a great injustice to you. If the 1st, so must be the 2nd. I leave here my declaration only signed by me and witnessed by a Magistrate. I do not think that they can send me away out of recall as a witness, and if they do, they must use this affidavit as evidence. I will let you know anything which happens, and you will do the same. My love and good comradeship to my young friend Owen. Yours very sincerely Francis Vane of Hutton . Major. Have I to pay up at once? Dr Js account How soon moving? Part the property? Vane Asquith Healy National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, London, England Letter 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 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