Joshua Bennett
The Black and Tans were constables recruited into the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) during the Irish War of Independence. The nickname Black and Tans arose from the improvised uniforms they wore, which were a mixture of dark green RIC tunics and caps, and khaki British Army trousers. The majority of the recruits were from England, Scotland, and Wales, with some sources stating that around 10% were Irish-born Roman Catholics. The Black and Tans gained a reputation for brutality, committing murder, arson, looting, and reprisal attacks on civilians and civilian property. They were often confused with the Auxiliary Division, a separate counterinsurgency unit of the RIC also recruited during the conflict.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religious Composition | 82% Protestant, 17.4% Catholic, 10 English Jews |
| Irish-born recruits | 19% |
| Irish Catholic recruits | 10% |
| British recruits | 78.6% |
| Scottish recruits | 15% |
| Welsh recruits | Not mentioned |
| Colonial recruits | Not mentioned |
| Prior Military Service | 70% of English recruits, 80% of Scottish recruits, 40% of Irish recruits |
| Recruitment Locations | 1/3rd in London, 36% in Liverpool and Glasgow, 14% in Ireland |
| Training | 3 months |
| Deployment Locations | Dublin, Munster, Eastern Connacht, Southern and Western Ireland, County Tipperary |
| Functions | Sentries, guards, escorts, reinforcement to the regular police, crowd control |
| Uniform | Dark green RIC tunics and caps, khaki British Army trousers |
| Nickname Origin | Colour of uniforms resembled the Scarteen Hunt's Kerry Beagles |
| Number of Recruits | 9,500-10,000 |
| Wages | 10 shillings a day plus full board and lodging |
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What You'll Learn
The Black and Tans were mostly Protestant
The Black and Tans were a force of constables recruited to assist the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) in maintaining control over the IRA during the Irish War of Independence. Recruitment began in Great Britain in January 1920, and about 10,000 men enlisted during the conflict. The majority were unemployed former British soldiers from England, Scotland and Wales who had fought in the First World War.
A study of the Tans and Auxiliaries, who joined the RIC at the beginning of 1920, found that while 78.6 per cent of the Black-and-Tans were British, nearly 19 per cent of them were Irish-born. A breakdown of the religion of the Black-and-Tans and Auxiliaries found that 82 per cent of them were Protestant, 17.4 per cent were Catholic, and there were 10 English Jews. The largest proportion of Catholics was found among the Irish recruits, that is, 59 per cent of the 478 Catholics in the survey. Fifty-five per cent of the Irish recruits were Catholic, mostly concentrated among the Black-and-Tans.
The Black and Tans gained a reputation for brutality as the RIC campaign against the IRA and Sinn Féin members was stepped up and police reprisals for IRA attacks were condoned by the government. They committed murder, arson and looting and became notorious for reprisal attacks on civilians and civilian property. Their actions further swayed Irish public opinion against British rule and drew condemnation in Britain.
The Black and Tans were sometimes confused with the Auxiliary Division, a counterinsurgency unit of the RIC, also recruited during the conflict and made up of former British officers. The Auxiliary Division was far more brutal than the Black and Tans, and many of the atrocities popularly attributed to the Black and Tans were probably committed by this group.
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10% of the force was Irish Catholic
The Black and Tans were constables recruited into the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) as reinforcements during the Irish War of Independence. About 10,000 men enlisted during the conflict, with recruitment beginning in Great Britain in January 1920. The majority were unemployed former British soldiers from England, Scotland and Wales who had fought in the First World War. However, it is important to note that some sources do count Irish recruits to the RIC from 1920 as "Black and Tans".
The Black and Tans gained a reputation for brutality, committing murder, arson, looting and reprisal attacks on civilians and their property. Their actions further swayed Irish public opinion against British rule and drew condemnation in Britain.
Now, addressing the specific focus of your query, it is indeed true that 10% of the Black and Tans were Irish Catholics. A study of the Tans and Auxiliaries, who joined the RIC at the beginning of 1920, found that while 78.6 per cent of the Black-and-Tans were British, nearly 19 per cent were Irish-born. This is a significant finding as it contradicts the popular memory that the force was predominantly British.
The study also revealed that 82 per cent of the force was Protestant, 17.4 per cent was Catholic, and there were 10 English Jews. The largest proportion of Catholics was among the Irish recruits, with 59 per cent of the 478 Catholics in the survey. Fifty-five per cent of the Irish recruits were Catholic, mostly concentrated among the Black-and-Tans. The breakdown by region showed that those born in Connacht and Munster were predominantly Catholic (78 per cent and 60 per cent respectively), while Ulster-born Black-and-Tans were mostly Protestant (72 per cent).
In conclusion, while the Black and Tans were predominantly British and Protestant, it is important to acknowledge that a significant minority, approximately 10%, were indeed Irish Catholics. This adds a layer of complexity to the historical narrative and challenges previously held assumptions about the composition of this force.
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They were recruited in Great Britain and Ireland
The Black and Tans were constables recruited into the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) as reinforcements during the Irish War of Independence. Recruitment began in Great Britain in January 1920, with advertisements in British cities targeting men willing to "face a rough and dangerous task". About 10,000 men enlisted during the conflict, with a majority of them being unemployed former British soldiers from England, Scotland and Wales who had fought in the First World War.
The Black and Tans gained a reputation for brutality, committing murder, arson, looting and reprisal attacks on civilians and civilian property. Their actions further fuelled Irish anti-British sentiment and drew criticism in Britain. The British government had sanctioned "official reprisals", which often involved burning the property of IRA members and suspected sympathisers.
While the majority of the Black and Tans were recruited from Great Britain, about 19% were Irish-born, and they came from both Protestant and Catholic backgrounds. A study found that 78.6% of the Black and Tans were British, 17.4% were Catholic, and there were 10 English Jews. The largest proportion of Catholics was among the Irish recruits, with 59% of the 478 Catholics in the survey. The study also revealed regional variations, with 55% of recruits from Connacht and Muster being Catholic, compared to 60% in Leinster and 28% in Ulster.
The Black and Tans were known for their distinctive uniforms, a mixture of dark green RIC tunics and caps, and khaki British Army trousers, which gave rise to their nickname. They served in all parts of Ireland, but most were deployed to southern and western regions where fighting was heaviest. By 1921, they made up almost half of the RIC in County Tipperary.
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They were notorious for their brutality
The Black and Tans, a paramilitary force recruited primarily from unemployed ex-soldiers to assist the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) during the Irish War of Independence, became infamous for their brutal tactics and unrestrained violence. Their actions often targeted the Catholic population, and they were responsible for numerous atrocities and human rights abuses.
The group earned their nickname from the makeshift uniforms they wore, which included a mix of dark police uniforms and lighter khaki military tunics, creating a distinctive black-and-tan colour combination. They were deployed to Ireland in 1920, a period marked by intense political and religious conflict. The force was largely made up of English, Scottish, and Welsh Protestants, with a significant number also coming from Ireland, particularly from the Ulster region, which had a strong Protestant and Unionist identity.
The Black and Tans quickly gained a reputation for their heavy-handed and ruthless approach to suppressing the Irish independence movement. They employed tactics of intimidation and terror, often carrying out reprisal attacks on the civilian population in response to Irish Republican Army (IRA) actions. These reprisals included burning homes, businesses, and even entire towns, as well as beatings, torture, and extrajudicial killings. One of the most notorious incidents was the burning of Cork City in December 1920, where the Black and Tans set fire to numerous buildings, leaving much of the city centre in ruins.
Their actions caused widespread anger and resentment among the Irish population, and they became a symbol of British repression and brutality. The force's lack of discipline and disregard for human life led to international condemnation, even from some within the British establishment. The Black and Tans' brutal methods ultimately proved counterproductive, as they galvanised support for the IRA and the cause of Irish independence, hardening attitudes against British rule.
The force was disbanded in 1922, following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which brought an end to the War of Independence and led to the establishment of the Irish Free State. The legacy of the Black and Tans remains a sensitive and controversial aspect of Anglo-Irish history, with their name still synonymous with state-sanctioned violence and sectarianism. Their actions during this turbulent period had a profound impact on the course of Irish history and continue to shape political and cultural memory.
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They were paid well
The Black and Tans, a paramilitary force recruited primarily from unemployed ex-soldiers, was established by the British Government during the Irish War of Independence. The force was intended to bolster the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and help counter the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The name "Black and Tans" came from the colours of the uniform they wore, a combination of dark green RIC tunics and dark brown army trousers.
Indeed, one of the attractions of joining the Black and Tans was the offer of good pay. Recruits were offered a starting salary of £3 (around £150 in today's money) per week, plus food and accommodation, which was a significant sum at the time, especially considering that many of the recruits were unemployed and had previously served in the military on much lower wages. In comparison, a constable in the RIC was paid £2.2s.6d a week in 1920, while a labourer might earn only £1 a week.
The high wages offered to Black and Tan recruits caused resentment among some members of the RIC, who felt that their own pay was inadequate, and this may have contributed to the tensions and divisions within the forces. The Irish Times, in an article from 1920, reported on the grievances of the RIC constables, who felt that the Black and Tans were being paid more for less dangerous work, stating: "The constables are aggrieved at the disparity of treatment, especially as they are the men who know the country and have to bear the brunt of the danger."
In addition to the attractive wages, the Black and Tans were also offered a number of other perks and incentives to join. These included a war gratuity of £15 (around £750 today), which was a significant bonus, and the promise of priority treatment for any members who wished to join the police force in Britain after their service in Ireland.
The high pay and benefits offered to the Black and Tans reflected the British Government's urgency in trying to quell the IRA and the rising tide of Irish nationalism. However, the force became notorious for their heavy-handed and often brutal tactics, which included reprisal attacks on civilians and the burning of towns and villages.
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Frequently asked questions
The Black and Tans were constables recruited into the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) as reinforcements during the Irish War of Independence. They were known for their brutality and committed murder, arson, looting, and reprisal attacks on civilians and civilian property.
The majority of the Black and Tans were Protestant, with about 10% being Irish Catholics. The largest proportion of Catholics was among the Irish recruits, with 55% of them being Catholic.
No, the Black and Tans were recruited from various parts of Great Britain, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland itself.
