Letter from Colonel Clive Wigram (on behalf of King George V) to John Redmond thanking Redmond for the gift, a book entitled "Irish at the Front" and hoping its circulation in America and Ireland reaches Redmond's expectations. Clive Wigram (1873-1960) was a British Army officer and court official. Wigram served as Assistant Private Secretary and Equerry to the King from 1910 to 1931. John Redmond (1856-1918) was an MP and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party. He was instrumental in securing the promise of Home Rule from Asquith's liberal government. Upon the outbreak of war, Redmond addressed a group of Irish Volunteers at Woodenbridge, Co. Wicklow, encouraging them to fight with the British Army to ensure the implementation of Home Rule. Redmond's words split the Irish Volunteers across the country. The Easter Rising shocked Redmond, who condemned it bitterly. Nonetheless he appealed for leniency towards those who had not been involved in planning the Rising.