England’s Janissary

Peter James Cottrell

The Book

Kevin Flynn thought soldiering would be a great adventure but on the bloody killing fields of The Somme it became a nightmare. Disillusioned by war, he is unprepared for the bitter troubles dividing his home in Ireland, a squalid back street feud he neither understands nor cares for.

Million Book Project

feeds@yuku.com (redcoat) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:02:51 PST

There are several scanned books of interest available online:

Sketches of the Royal Irish Constabulary (1886) http://www.archive.org/details/sketchesroyalir00bropgoog

The History of the R.I.C. (1871) http://www.archive.org/details/historyroyaliri00curtgoog

Road and Route Guide for Ireland of the R.I.C. (1893) http://www.archive.org/details/deviahiberniaroa00daggrich

Steve

Cathedral Constables

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:21:12 PST

I never knew of this 'constabulary' but it has a long and venerable tradition - well worth a look at http://www.cathedralconstables.co.uk

Liverpool Parks Police

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:17:52 PST

And another very interesting link - read the story and view the images of this remarkable police force disbanded in 1972. Dedicated by ex-Liverpool Parks Police constables to their colleagues. Visit www.liverpoolparkspolice.co.uk

Liverpool City Police historical website

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:14:20 PST

This is a great site and full of historical photographs. The Liverpool (and Bootle) Constabulary employed quite a few ex-RIC and a detective squad of RIC was also based there. Visit - http://www.liverpoolcitypolice.co.uk/

The Black and Tans: British Police and Auxiliaries in the Irish War of Independence, 1920-1921

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:39:14 PST

The Canadian historian and academic David M. Leeson (Assistant Professor, Laurentian University) is to publish a new book in September 2011. The subject is 'The Black and Tans: British Police and Auxiliaries in the Irish War of Independence, 1920-1' and it will be published by Oxford Press.

Leeson has contributed several papers to the study of the RIC and the Black and Tans, most notably
'The Scum of London's Underworld'? British Recruits for the Royal Irish Constabulary, 1920-21'

The Police Roll of Honour Trust

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:19:18 PST

By kind permission of the Police Roll of Honour Trust, the web links below are reproduced. These will give summary details of the men of the Irish Police Forces who died or were killed whilst on duty, from 1801 to the present day.

The Trust home page can be found at http://www.policememorial.org.uk/

IRELAND

(United Kingdom 1801-1922)

Tudor's Toughs - a new book on the Auxiliary Division RIC

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:01:21 PST

Forum member Ernest McCall has published a new book on the Auxiliaries - "Tudor's Toughs - A study of the Auxiliary Division Royal Irish Constabulary 1920-1922".

This is a very informative reference copy and will add to the body of knowledge about the world's first mobile counter-insurgency force.

Copies can be ordered by writing to "Tudor's Toughs, PO Box 262, Newtonards, Belfast BT23 9DP (Northern Ireland, UK)".

(Please note I have no connection with the author or publisher and do not receive any fee or commission for promoting this book).

Some old books about the RIC

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:19:45 PST

The following area selection of old books pertaining to the RIC. They are still available through antique bookshops, and some have been re-printed recently and are available on Amazon. All are well worth getting and reading.

The most famous, and gives the history of the force up until the Fenian Rising of 1867.
"The History of the Royal Irish Constabulary" by Robert Curtis, County Inspector RIC. Dublin, Moffat & Co; 1869

"In the Royal Irish Constabulary" by George Garrow Green, D.I. RIC; James Blackwood & Co 1904.
An extremely well written and amusing book.

"Devia Hibernia - The Road and Route Guide of the Royal Irish Constabulary" by G A de M E Dagg, D.I. RIC; Hodges Figgis & Co...

Links of possible interest

feeds@yuku.com (GloriaW) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:29:42 PST

Sorry in advance if this information is already posted on your boards elsewhere, Peter.

http://www.movinghere.org.uk/galleries/roots/irish/irishrecordsuk/ric.htm

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=244&j=1

http://www.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6087

(Thanks Gloria - dead and/or commercial links removed - Peter)

Research resources and help notes

feeds@yuku.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:53:02 PST

In this topic I will attempt to give researchers some pointers to further their interest in the Irish Constabularies. I will add to and edit this topic from time to time.

Research material
1. Books
1.1 Jim Herlihy has written a number of books about the RIC. This one is excellent: "The Royal Irish Constabulary - A short history and genealogical guide" 1997. Worth getting or looking at a copy if you want to read more about the history of the RIC.

1.2 Jim has also compiled an index of names and service numbers "A complete alphabetical list of Officers and Men". It has no details other than the name and number of the men. I use it regularly as a guide, but please note that there may be inaccuracies in this carried over from mis-spellings...

Books, Reference Materials and Web Links

Irish Military Archives

Roscommon genealogical resource CD

England’s Janissary - a novel by Peter Cottrell