The Black and Tans were a special force recruited by the British Government to wage a ‘counter-terrorist campaign’ against the Irish Volunteers in 1919. 

Their methods included torture, killing and mutilation of prisoners and wholesale destruction of property.

Sir Henry Wilson (Chief of the Imperial General Staff), writing in his diary about multiple summary murders, noted that Winston Churchill saw ‘very little harm’ in such atrocities. In 1920 alone, over 2,000 unarmed civilians, including women and children, were murdered by British Forces.

On June 17 1920, Lt. Col. Smyth, on his appointment as Division Commander of the RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary/Black and Tans), spoke to his constables: ‘If a police barracks is burned or if the barracks already occupied is not suitable, then the best house in the locality is to be commandeered, the occupants thrown into the gutter!

‘Let them die there – the more the merrier.  The police and military will patrol the country. They are not to confine themselves to the main roads, but make across the country, lie in ambush and, when civilians are seen approaching, shout ‘Hands up!’ Should the order not be immediately obeyed, shoot and shoot with effect.

‘If the persons approaching carry their hands in their pockets, or in any way are suspicious looking, shoot them down.

You may make mistakes occasionally, and innocent persons may be shot, but that cannot be helped, and you are bound to get the right parties some time. The more you shoot, the better I will like you, and I assure you that no policeman will get into trouble for shooting any man.’

The distance between England and Ireland is less than the distance between Shropshire and Yorkshire.  Oswald Mosley, as a young Member of Parliament, was one of the few to suffer the wrath of the ruling class because he heartily condemned the Amritsar Massacre and the atrocities carried out against the Irish population by your Black and Tans. You can share this story on social media: TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

FORTY SHADES OF VERSE Michael Walsh. Packed to the last page with illustrated stories and heartfelt verse, the perfect gift for those inspired by Ireland. GETS TO THE HEART OF IRELAND. https://michaelwalshbooks.wordpress.com/