Irish War of Independence Jan. 1919 -- July 1922. In an earlier reference I confused dates for the forming of the Black and Tans and the Police Auxiliary Cadets ( Auxies). The following notes are extracted from the PPP. ( "Irish Republican Brotherhood Recollections" recorded in a copy book and uncovered by Jean Casey recently.) "The Black and Tans were formed in December 1919 when British ex-soldiers and sailors were recruited as a support force for the Royal Irish Constabulary. Their wage was 10 shillings per day and cigarettes. The "Tans" arrived in Ireland on the 25th March 1920 ( many of the participants in the struggle for independence would refer to the period following their arrival as "the Tan war"). The Auxiliaries were formed in June 1920, those who joined were demobilized officers of the British army. They arrived in Ireland in July 1920. Their wage was £1.00 a day. The "Auxies" were not under military discipline and they soon gained a reputation for brutality and ruthlessness. A distinctive feature of their dress was that they wore a belt with two holsters each containing a revolver. The term "Black and Tans" was often applied by the Irish to the Auxiliaries and also to British-born constables in the R.I.C. and sometimes even to the soldiers in the regular British army."

Thanks Mick, Any idea how many Black and Tans were killed in the war? Wikipedia gives the following casualties: IRA - 550 dead British - 714 dead, including 410 RIC, 261 British Army and 43 USC (Ulster Special Constabulary). A further 750 civilians are also said to have died. Best, TB On 26 Mar 2010, at 17:30, michael purcell wrote: > Irish War of Independence Jan. 1919 -- July 1922. > In an earlier reference I confused dates for the forming of the > Black and > Tans and the Police Auxiliary Cadets ( Auxies). > The following notes are extracted from the PPP. ( "Irish Republican > Brotherhood Recollections" recorded in a copy book and uncovered by > Jean > Casey recently.) > "The Black and Tans were formed in December 1919 when British ex- > soldiers > and sailors were recruited as a support force for the Royal Irish > Constabulary. Their wage was 10 shillings per day and cigarettes. The > "Tans" arrived in Ireland on the 25th March 1920 ( many of the > participants > in the struggle for independence would refer to the period following > their > arrival as "the Tan war"). > The Auxiliaries were formed in June 1920, those who joined were > demobilized officers of the British army. They arrived in Ireland in > July > 1920. Their wage was £1.00 a day. The "Auxies" were not under military > discipline and they soon gained a reputation for brutality and > ruthlessness. > A distinctive feature of their dress was that they wore a belt with > two > holsters each containing a revolver. > The term "Black and Tans" was often applied by the Irish to the > Auxiliaries > and also to British-born constables in the R.I.C. and sometimes even > to the > soldiers in the regular British army." > ======================================= > Before you post a message to the IRL-CARLOW mailing list you must > subscribe to the List. Its FREE! > --------------------------------------- > To subscribe to the IRL-Carlow mailing list, send an email to IRL-CARLOW-request@rootsweb.com > with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the Subject box. > No additional text is required. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-CARLOW-request@rootsweb.com > with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and > the body of the message >