escaping from the "Black and Tans" ?? Ireland who were they ?

Question

Doing family tree research and an aunt has told me my great grandfather escaped from the Black and tans in Ireland to Hartlepool. He then joined the Spainish war ?? but not with the British army - may be some type of mercenary. What was this Spainish war.
He was in the first world war too - Name Edward O`Neill
Any help would be fantastic as im back to 1624 on one side but totally stuck with this side
thanks

Answer 1

They were the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force - British forces responsible for suppressing revolution in Ireland. Wikipedia link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_Tans

Answer 2

The Black and Tans were police auxilliaries mainly recruited in Britain. They fought for the British side in the Irish war of Independence. Their name comes from the improvised uniforms they wore. Their lack of discipline appaled many regular soldiers and policemen. At one point they burned down the centre of Cork City in reprisal for an ambush. They, and the similar "Auxilliary" force did far more harm than good for the British side, as their harsh methods antagonised the population and increased support for the Republicans. For later generations, they became a kind of bogey-man used by hard-line republicans to justify their own terrorist acts.

It's not clear which side of the Spanish Civil War your great grandfather fought on. Many idealistic people fought in the Spanish Civil War for the International Brigades. Unfortunately, once they got there they discovered that the Brigades were run by the Stalinists and more interested in wiping out other left-wing groups like the Anarchists than fighting Franco.

Ignore the person who said the war was between Franco and the Royal Family. It was essentially a left versus right-wing conflict, though that is admittedly a simplification. About 200 leftist Irish people took part as the James Connoly Column of the International Brigades.

About 600 Irish volunteers, conservative Catholics, also volunteered for the other (Francoist) side, under the leadership of the ludicrous Eoin O'Duffy. They spent most of the time drunk, and saw no action.

I don't think either group could really be called mercenaries, as they were motivated by genuine beliefs.

Answer 3

The Black and Tans were British soldiers who's job it was to terrorise the Irish people and force them into submission and stop fighting for their freedom and liberty.

Back in c1967/68 I met a former member of the Black and Tans, then aged about 70+ in a pub called the Anchor Tavern, Bankside, London. He was in plain English and unmitigating bastard and a murderer to boot.

The Black and Tans are very much a part of the Irish Revolution and are probably better remembered and understood by the Irish people.

Here in UK most people just either want to forget or simply do not know about the Black and Tans and would probably be horrified to learn of such dispicable people.

The last survivor of the Irish Revolution [sorry forgot his name] died a few days back, I think he was one hundred and something. He still remained a solid supporter of the IRA right to the end and said as much.

Answer 4

The black and tans were the British a police force specially put together to control the Irish uprising , so called because of there black and brown uniforms. the Spanish civil war was between the the Communist and other forces against the Spanish Fascists , many British men and other countries in sympathy rallied to help the ordinary people of Spain against the fascists .the british army was not involved , but Tito who was there leader won with the help of Hitlers Stuka bombers , and controlled Spain for many years , So your great grandfather was on the side of the facists

Answer 5

The Black and Tans as a subject still arouses controversy in Ireland. The Black and Tans were mostly former soldiers brought into Ireland by the government in London after 1918 to assist the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) in their work.

Answer 6

The black and tans were a military police force formed by the British Government after WW1 to suppress the independence movement in Ireland.
They were formed mainly of ex-soldiers and criminals and were called black and tans because their uniform was a combination of dark blue police uniform and army khaki.
They carried out many atrocities against the civilian population rather like the SS in Occupied Europe during WW2.
If one of their comrades was shot in an ambush they would take ten people from the nearest village and shoot them.
I knew a man whose grandmother died in this way.
The Spanish War was the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s which ended in 1939.
This was a rebellion by Franco's fascist forces against the elected Republican government.
Franco was backed by Hitler and Mussolini and he eventually won.
The Republicans were supported by irregular troops who went to Spain to fight against fascism and foreigners were generally enlisted in the International Brigade.
This was unfortunately divided by internal political disputes which did not help their fighting efficiency and many brave men died
A good book to give you an idea of that conflict is George Orwell's - Homage to Catalonia.

Answer 7

Thr Black & Tans were an British regiment formed from the dregs of Britain's prisons. In return for an amnesty they volunteered to fight the "Rebels" in Southern Ireland. They were detested because they murdered, raped and stole, not only from the rebels, but from the entire population. They got their name from the colour of their uniforms, Black and Tan.

The Spanish Civil war was between General Franco, (Who became ruler of Spain) and the Spanish Royal Family & it's supporters. The outcome was that the King of Spain was deposed and General Franco became the dictator that ruled Spain for many many years.

Answer 8

The black and Tans were mainly ex world war one soldiers who were employed by the English to squash the revolution which was looming in Ireland. They were not nice people killing and shooting in rural Ireland. They were called black and tans because of there uniform which was mainly made up of bits of other uniforms. The Irish hated them and many were tortured by them.

Answer 9

The Black and Tans were the british army units sent into Irelend to suppress the struggle for independance. My grandfather always said they were paid 10 shillings a day to kill irishmen. The wind that stirs the barley is an excellent recent film on the topic.(on DVD)

The spanish war was a conflict between socialist republican forces and Francos army dictatorship forces who overthrew the popularly supported republicans. Many irishmen went to join the 15th International brigade as it was know to fight as volunteers on the socialist republican side.

Franco was assisted by German fascist troops who used the conflict as preparatory training for world war 2

http://www.michaelcollins.utvinternet.com/viva.html

download this song, excellent history lesson.

No Passera!!!

Answer 10

The Black and Tans were (like the German freikorps) formed from former soldiers who hadn't been able to settle down in civilian life.. The idea that they came out of prisons is untrue.