H. J. Tennant about Passes to France
This letter was written by Harold John Tennant (1865-1935), Under-Secretary of State for War, on 21 september 1914 from the War Office, London S.W. (UK), to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The header of the letter has 3 manuscript lines : « This was in answer to A.C.D.'s efforts, at the age of 55, to reach the Front in order that he might assist in rescuing the wounded from the field of battle. »
Letter
War Office,
- 21st September, 1914.
Dear Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
In reply to your letter of the 17th instant, I much regret that it is impossible for us to issue Passes to you as you suggest. The British Red Cross Society have been allowed to go about certain parts of France, especially the sites of the earlier battles in motor cars, and if anybody is able to pick up wounded, I think it would be they. We have had a very large number of applications like your own, and w have been compelled to refuse in every case where the applicant was not definitely connected with the forces engaged. I can only suggest that you should ask the Foreign Office for the ordinary Passport which will enable you to go about in France to a certain extent. I am sorry not to be able to grant your request.
- Yours truly,
- H. J. Tennant
