1 Irish Prisoners,
Internment Camp,
Frongoch. 14th Oct. 1916. Al. Byrne
L. Ginnell Wm. O'Brien Esq., M.P.
House of Commons. Sir:- We much regret the necessity which compeles us to send to you
additional complaints regarding the rations supplied to us by the
authorities. In accordance with the intention to refuse the ration
of herrings as indicated in the second para. of the third item of
our letter to you dated 11th inst., the Prisoners' Quarter Master
declined to take over the ration of herrings from the military
yesterday, and asked that some other food stuffs be supplied in lieu.
No other article of food would be issued in lieu; and yesterday's
(Friday 13th inst.) dinner, in consequence, cost the prisoners
£3: 15: 10., out of their private fund. Item No2
14/10/16
B
V This morning when the prisoners ration party attended the
military stores for the purpose of drawing the daily meat ration, the
prisoners' Quarter Master complained to the Orderly Officer of the
day that the meat, in his opinion, was unfit for human consumption,
as the stench from it was very noticeable. The officer admitted that
the stench was bad, but that if it was washed with vinegar and water
the stench would disappear. The military butcher remarked, in the
hearing of the Quarter Master, that this meat was intended for the
Guard, but that they refused it, and were supplied with sausages in
lieu. In view of the order and directions of the Orderly Officer, the
prisoners' Quarter Master, had no option but to accept the meat for
the time being. On arriving in Camp, the attention of the Head Camp
Leader was drawn to the meat, and he called the doctor to the kitchen.
When he arrived in the Camp at 10 o' clock a.m. the military staff
sergeant on duty in the Camp, on becoming aware of this notified the
Adjutant, who came to the the prisoners kitchen shortly after the doctor,
and immediately tried, by his language and attitude, to brow-beat the
doctor, and was most insulting to the prisoners Quarter master. The 2 doctor, in view of the Adjutant's attitude, considered it advisable
to call in his assistant, who at once condemned 176lbs. out of a
total 268lbs. as being utterly unfit for human consumption —
that is a proportion of nearly 2/3 of the total. The meat was then
changed. You will agree with us that this is a serious state of affairs,
especially as it is the third occasion on which the meat had to be
condemned, as being utterly unfit, and we hope that you will
endeavour to seize an early opportunity of letting in the light
of public opinion on the matter. We desire to remain, Sir,
Your obedient servants, Michael Staines Head Leader
J.J. O'Neill (acting) Leader No1. Room
Edward A. Misken Leader No 2. Room
R.J.Mulcahy Leader No 3. Room
Thos. D. Sinnott Leader No 4. Room
J.J.