1 address to get Colonel to
write to - The Commandant,
Cadet School,
G.H.Q., B.E.F. Cadet School
G.H.Q.
B.E.Force 29.1.16 Dear Father Bernard I suppose you have
already received my last letter. I am working
very hard here at present, and expect to be
able to get through all right after 4 or 5 weeks. We were only going to do 4 weeks
training first, but they have prolonged the
course to another two weeks. Our Instructor (Captain Finch - Cheshire
Regiment) told us a few days ago if we
wanted to get any particular Regiment
to write immediately to Colonel of that Regiment
and tell him to apply immediately for us
to above address The Commandant, Cadet School,
G.H.Q., B.E.F. For information the Commandant
is (Major Lawrence - Royal Welsh Fusiliers). It would also be very advisable
if he would say a few words in favour
of me, as they expect great efficiency of late
from all Cadet Students. This order applies
principally to all Territorial Regiments. However Is it a Territorial Unit, The
Tyneside Irish? However it does not 2 matter much wherewhether it is a regular unit
or not. The latest order is that in order
to get into any Territorial or special Regiment
you have to get Colonel of unit to apply
for you immediately, in order to fill
in required forms. If this is not
done you will be sent to any Regiment
where there is a vacancy. So I earnestly hope that you
will loose no time whatever in writing
immediately to either of these Colonels
Colonel Moore or Esmonde or any other
Colonel you may know in order to
apply for me. It does not matter to
me what Regiment I go to if you
know the Colonel of it. One thing I
would like of course to be in some
Catholic Unit. Once more I beg to remind you
of getting this done immediately as
I trust you will have no difficulty
whatsoever, judging from your influence. Trusting you are quite well, and
wishing you every good wish. I am Dear Father Bernard
Your fond Cousin Matthew J. Farrell Pte Matthew J. Farrell,
No.2 Division 3 Rev.Father Crehan C.C.,
Grange,
Co.Sligo,
Ireland