Letter from Matthew J. Farrell to Father Bernard, 29 January 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Matthew J. Farrell

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Matthew J. Farrell writes to his cousin, Father Bernard, asking him to write a letter in support of his application to join The Royal Welsh Fusiliers by writing to the Colonel, Major Lawrence.

National Library of Ireland NLI10561/6/10 https://letters1916.ie/item/5395 English Matthew J. Farrell 1916-01-29 Father Bernard Grange, Co.Sligo, Ireland Male World War I (1914-1918) World War I (1914-1918)

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 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 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 Rev.Father Crehan C.C., Grange, Co.Sligo, Ireland Matthew J. Farrell Letter from Matthew J. Farrell to Father Bernard, 29 January 1916 Grange, Co.Sligo, Ireland Letter from Matthew J. Farrell to Father Bernard, 29 January 1916