1916 courts martial and executions: Tom Clarke

A map showing where three of those executed after the Easter Rising were buried and a document certifying they were dead before their bodies were disposed of, is included in the court martial file of Thomas Clarke.

The signatory to the proclamation was executed, along with Patrick Pearse and Thomas MacDonagh, on May 3rd, 1916. They were the first men to die after being court martialed, and their communal grave, at Arbour Hill Barracks, was numbered 1, 2 and 3, for the positions they were placed in.

The sketch map, contained in Clarke’s court martial file, held in the British National Archives, at Kew, London, is drawn in pencil on grid paper. It shows Arbour Hill, an outline of barracks buildings, the parade ground and where the grave was positioned, as well as an indication of direction. An accompanying page, marked “secret” and addressed to “headquarters 59th division”, is stamped “Headquarters, Parkgate Street, Dublin” and dated May 3rd.

It numbers the dead men as “1 PH Pearse, 2 Thomas MacDonough, 3 Thomas J Clarke”.

“It is thought that the MO [medical officer] who certified death was Capt Lynch RAMC,” it says.

“No1 is at north end of grave,” it says.

Clarke (58) was tried on May 2nd at Richmond Barracks before Brig Ge Charles Blackader, Lieut Col George German and Lieut Col William Kent.

The first witness was second Lieut SL King of the 12th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He said between 10am and 11am on Tuesday April 25th, he was on Sackville Street.

“Two men rushed across from the direction of the post office, and took me prisoner, taking me into the main entrance of the post office,” he said.

“While I was detained there, I often saw the prisoner. He appeared to be a person in authority although he was not in uniform.”

The officer said some of the men obtained a key from Clarke at different times and some wore uniform.

“I have no doubt that he was one of the rebels,” he said.

Under cross-examination by Clarke, the officer confirmed he had been “very well treated” during his term of imprisonment.

Clarke did not call any witnesses or make any statement.

Gen John Maxwell confirmed the sentence of death against him “by being shot”.

Also in the file, Capt HV Stanley, Royal Army Medical Corp, certified he was present at the execution of Clarke, MacDonagh and Pearse at Kilmainham Jail. The document, from Red Cross Hospital, Dublin Castle, appears to have accidentally dated the executions “3/5/19”.

“The prisoners were dead before the commandant disposed of the bodies,” the officer said.