British Auxiliary Speaks of the IRA

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This is an interview of Thomas Mobey, a member of the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary. He speaks of his experiences with the irish Republican Army (IRA) and his life while stationed in Macroom Castle, County Cork during the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921).

[@MrLeadb1]

So, he says his General wrote a book afterwards distancing himself from the atrocities inflicted on the people even though he was the General that ordered them to do it. Thereby, he's admitting that there were atrocities for the General to distance himself from. When asked what did the auxies do.....he says that they only protected the police and that they did nothing else. So, how can he blame his General for the atrocities that he himself says were aload of nonsense and 'that didn't happen' and then blame his General for trying to distance himself from giving the auxies orders to commit atrocities....that never happened? This is how a liar gets tied up in the details trying to distance themselves from actual events.

[@seanohare5488]

True he came off ridiculous really like the interview getting annoyed having to prod him for more information from him seemed liked he just wanted to show his knew dragon teeth

[@johnroche7541]

At the end of the day some of the worst attrocities of the conflict were committed by the Auxiliaries. In November 1920 in Co.Galway members of "D" Coy would murder Fr Michael Griifin, when Crozier went to Galway in relation to establish details of his murder he uncovered a plot by the Auxiliaries to murder the Bishop of Killaloe, the members of this same company "D' murdered the Loughnanne brothers Patrick and Henry. They were arrested on 26th November 1920 and their charred burned bodies were discovered in early December 1920. No doubt a lot of people have seen photographs of the charred burned bodies in some history books. Members of "K" Coy would be involved in the burning of Patrick St,CorkCity in December 1920 followed a few days later by the murder of 73 year old Catholic clergyman Canon Thomas Magnier and an innocent civilian which was witnessed by a Justice of the Peace.

[@tellitlikeitis4740]

Guilty conscience...

[@johnroche7541]

I would highly recommend the TV documentary drama set in WW1 titled "In Suspicious Circumstances". It was made in 1994. It tells the true story of an underage recruit James Crozier who joins the Royal Irish Rifles. He just shares the same surname with Frank Criozier who as Lt General Frank Crozier of the Royal Irish Rifles in WW1 would play a pivotal role in the fate of young Private James Crozier.

[@susanoconnell1314]

Exactly.

[@Demun1649]

My grandfather fought against these out-dated occupiers between 1919-1922. We are all proud of him.

[@douglaskelly9173]

And as you should be

[@Demun1649]

​@@douglaskelly9173 Do shláinte

[@ShaneGallager]

Did he fight against the British-backed Free States.

[@Demun1649]

@@ShaneGallager Look at the dates. He fought in the War of Independence, once, at the same time and place as the "Big Fella". He was in the IRA, that is all I care about. He was opposed to the occupation of the 6 Counties by the Anglo-Saxons, he was opposed to any allowing of foreigners to occupy Eire. Like many, he did not join the split between the traitor de Valera, and Michael Collins, and he did help to go after the assassins paid for by de Valera. Your statement is fake. The ENGLISH backed anything that could interfere with a peaceful transition. The biggest threat to Irish Independence was de Valera, a Yenghi through and through, a member of the Mafia. A traitor. My grandfather had to leave Ireland because of that traitor. You should learn that the people made the best they could have of the infighting, the back-stabbing, the egos, and worked for what they achieved. A FREE IRELAND.

[@ShaneGallager]

@@Demun1649 If you believe that the British did not help the Free State Army you simply don't know history and haven't a clue what you are talking about. Michael Collins never fought in battles of the War of Independence, he fought in the Easter Rising, but his role in the Tan War was as an organizer of the "The Squad" in Dublin, and he was also working as the Minister of Finance for the Dail. They're simply both traitors. Collins signed away the six counties to the British, he didn't have to, he was instructed by Churchill to attack the Four Courts & he did just that, shelling it to pieces & his successors after he died Cosgrave, O'Higgins & Mulachy executed three times the amount of Republican prisoners than the British did during the Tan War of 1919 - 1921.

[@Jen999]

Davy.. your channel is best at keeping us informed and aware.. learn something with every video and each podcast.. thanking you d much💜💙☘️

[@davyholden]

Thank you Jen 😊💚

[@Jen999]

@@davyholden So welcome you are Davy.. so grateful for you we are 🌹☘️💜💙

[@johnroche7541]

@@davyholden Hi Davy. There was a brilliant TV documentary drama made in 1994( I wrongly thought it was later) titled "In Suspicious Curcumstances". It is a true story about our friend Crozier. It is set in WWI and tells the story of underage recruit James Crozier(coincidentally same surname) who joined the Royal Irish Rifles and what happens him. Lt General Frank Crozier plays a pivotal part in the fate of this young soldier. Hope it is of interest.

[@Fenian1213a]

Davy, I am really enjoying these old interviews. Really adds substance to your efforts. Keep up the good work.

[@davyholden]

Thank you so much!

[@glenpower1749]

Yet another interesting and thought provoking post. Keep 'em coming, Davy!

[@davyholden]

Thank you!

[@Conero08]

Fascinating take from the other side. Thanks a lot for posting Davy. I think the head of the Auxiliaries was called Frank Percy Crozier. The book he wrote was called "Ireland Forever". I've not read it, but it's meant ro be quite sympathetic to the Irish cause. Which is incredible, considering who wrote it. Crozier actually resigned over the behaviour of the Auxiliaries, specifically the Robinstown incident in Meath. He became a pacifist in later life.

[@MitchMurray-my8qy]

Crozier resigned after a dispute over discipline with the Police Adviser. Crozier had dismissed 21 Temporary Cadets accused of looting a shop belonging to Protestants in County Meath. When these men were reinstated pending an official inquiry, Crozier left the Force.

[@seanohare5488]

He aso mentioned which is hardly mentioned by Irish revisionist historians now that there was a false surrender at kilmichael based on his interview of the sole survivor of the kilmichael ambush in his book Ireland forever

[@seanohare5488]

That sole survivor at kilmichael ambush was forde

[@fionnmcnessa]

​@seanohare5488 which Tom Barry stated many times never happend . Tom Barry being then man he was i would take his word over any auxiliary .

[@davyholden]

Thank you so much. I love hearing the stories from both perspectives. It’s crucially important

[@seanohare5488]

Women played a important big part in Ireland s war of independence they were the best spies transported arms money medical supplies put men up in safe houses fed nursed the men really invaluable and this auxie didn't know anything about the women at that dramatic time shows they lost right there

[@Dom-fx4kt]

Maire Comerford

[@garygallagher7269]

Well done Davy great Chanel

[@seanohare5488]

Agree they don't call him big bad Davey Holden for nothing

[@seanohare5488]

They don't call him big bad Davy Holden for nothing

[@davyholden]

Thank you Gary!

[@johnfinbarr1160]

Thanks John. This is indeed extraordinary research you have done. I’m really astonished at your level of knowledge.

[@johnroche7541]

Coincidentally I have been in Ireland for the last few days as Irish historian Padraig Og O' Ruairc will be launching his new book "The Disapperard". He kindly invited me. He has written several books on the revolutionary period. A number of years ago he wrote a book about the conflict in Co.Clare called "Blood On The Banner". It was an excellent book but from my own knowledge of the conflict I knew he was confusing the identity of two Scottish regiments deployed in Clare and his casualty roll for Crown Forces were missing a few soldiers. You guessed it. Smart ass me got in touch with him through his publishers and we have been in touch sporadically over the years. I am lucky I have studied the conflict from both sides.

[@johnroche7541]

You might also like to read my replies to "@henrys4852" below. No doubt I came across as a pompous ass but I felt duty bound to correct him!

[@steveobrien7177]

He seemed like a really reasonable old man at times. But there were a few howlers. Reminded me of a programme I saw once where twinkly eyed old Wermacht veterans were being interviewed about fighting on the Russian front.

[@Iazzaboyce]

His kind fought against the Wehrmacht.

[@jackspring7709]

People like him are very good at appearing civilised, affable and decent. The Auxiliary division of the RIC were no different to the SA and SS, but, as you pointed out, the murderer and savage does reveal himself at a few unguarded moments.

[@Iazzaboyce]

@@jackspring7709Did those fighting against the UK do anything that might be considered 'against the Geneva Convention'?

[@jackspring7709]

@@Iazzaboyce Learn your history. During the war of independence no attacks were carried out in England against military or civilian: the IRA were fighting the UK on Irish soil and they beat them into a hoop on Irish soil before throwing them out of the country. You would be better off learning some history instead of asking ignorant questions. Smh.

[@jackspring7709]

@@Iazzaboyce I strongly suggest you do some research on the Irish War of Independence before asking some lazy and question. During that war not one single place in the UK was targetted. The fight was in Ireland and that's where they kept it. Seriously learn some history about that war instead of relying on some weak attempt at a 'gotcha'.

[@rightiswrongrightiswrong806]

There were no RIC killed at Kilmichael, those Auxis were out terrorising the Irish public, not protecting police. The Auxiliaries were shock troops, like the Paras and SAS who were later sent to Ireland, soldiers trained to attack and terrorise civilian populations with acts of savagery and state sanctioned slaughter. Listening to that Auxillary is the same as listening to a SS officer talk about his service in Russia, they always say they did no wrong and were only doing their job. He killed for money, not for his own land or freedom, but money. Where's the honour in that.

[@jackspring7709]

Exactly. I'm glad to see a number of people watching this haven't been fooled by this lying savage.

[@mattsmith7086]

V interesting and brilliant interview however the Black and Tans plus Auxiliaries were notoriously brutal thugs whose reputation for brutally terrorising Irish people still remembered today over 100 years on, his version of events is very Rose tinted

[@darrengriffin9842]

Great work Davey. Keep it up.

[@caseyaylward8853]

Hey man, I just found your channel today. It's awesome, the videos are great. Do you know of any stories of IRA guys in America besides the Valhalla boat story?

[@johnroche7541]

I know of a couple of IRA men that went to America after the Irish Civil War. Two Irish Americans who had served with the AEF in WW1 came to Dublin in the summer of 1921 to show the IRA Thompson sub machine guns. The IRA were impressed with this weapon and placed an order for 500 but these were discovered by US Customs at Hoebrooken,New Jersey in June 1921.. However the Thompson sub machine gun made it's military debut in Dublin, Ireland in the summer of 1921 and the IRA were the first to use it in actual combat in a conflict.. A fact never acknowledged in the plethora of books written and the numerous documentary's dedicated to this iconic weapon.

[@johnroche7541]

The following facts might enhance this gentleman's story. This is Auxiliary Cadet Thomas Stanley Mobey. He was born on October 6th 1896. He served with the RAF in WW1. He served with "J" Coy Auxiliaries which was based in Glengariff,Co Cork. On 4th December 1920 he attended the funeral in Bury,UK of Auxiliary Cadet William Hooper Jones who was killed on 28th November 1920 as a result of the Kilmichael Ambush.. Thomas Mobey died in June 1984 in Staffordshire. He refers to Frank Percy Crozier who was in overall command of the Auxiliaries. Crozier dismissed a lot of Auxiliaries due to discipline problems. Crozier was a veteran of the Boer War. He was a member of tbe UVF and was ready to fight against Home Rule. He served with the Royal Irish Rifles which was part of the famous 36th Ulster Division in WW1. He had men under his command executed for "cowardice" in WW1. He was attached to the Lithuanian Army during tbe Russian Civil War before taking over the Auxiliaries. He offered his services to Michael Collins at the outbreak of the Irish Civil War. He wrote a couple of books including "Ireland Forever" in the 1930's which surprisingly had a lot of pro national sympathies. He advised Gandhi to take heed from what happened in the Irish War of Independence.

[@seanohare5488]

Crozier also in his book Ireland forever said there was a false surrender at kilmichael by interviewing the sole survivor of kilmichael ambush by the name of h forde

[@johnroche7541]

@@seanohare5488 No doubt you have seen some of my previous posts in relation to the content of Davy's documentaries on other sites. I gave the information in relation to this Auxiliary featured here. I wrote the lengthy one recently also in relation to the conflict in Co.Kerry. I am well aware of Cadet Frederick Forde who I gave details about in Davy's post on the Kilmichael Ambush a few weeks back. I digress but Cadet Frederick Forde served with the RFA on various fronts in WW1 and was awarded the MC. According to Cadet Reginald Cafferata who served with "C" Coy based in Macroom with Cadet Frederick Forde the latter gave him details about the Kilmichael ambush which gives no mention of a false surrender and gives other details which are dubious. Cadet Reginald Cafferata wrote down what Forde stated to him. Cadet Reginald Cafferata like many former Auxiliaries and Black & Tans would join the Palestine Police Force. The notes he wrote down in relation to Fordes statement can be found in the Archives at Oxford. As I stated I dont trust them and could be the work of British propaganda.Frank Percy Crozier was injured in a traffic accident on 23rd November 1920 travelling from Naas to Dublin and would spend a month in hospital. In Ireland the Irish War of Independence is taught in the school curriculum in such a way that to deviate from the national narrative is almost sacrilege. Unfortunately almost every Irish person who reads Tom Barry's memoir erroneously believes it is 100% truthful but it is certainly not. Barry new Forde survived but omits this fact in his memoir. I have reserached the Irish War of Independence for over 25 years including the Auxiliaries and Tom Barry etc. I have been to the Kilmichael ambush site several times over the years. I certainly dont believe Barry's account in his memoir and I certainly dont believe the black British propaganda version. Let me emphasise that Barry was a brave officer that led an effective guerilla unit(3rd West Cork Brigade Flying Column) with great skill and elan and made it a formidable unit with sound tactics and strategy. Too many discrepancies in his memoir. Also Barry never mentions and neither does his devoted biographer Meda Ryan that he failed an exam for a position in India for the British Colonial Office in February 1920. It is in the archives. If Barry had passed those exams there would have been no Kilmichael,Crossbarry etc and look how different the conflict in Cork would have been.

[@seanohare5488]

You cover that very well big bad John Roche

[@LordYanSpeaks]

Very informative. Many thanks

[@johnfinbarr1160]

That’s an incredible amount of detail you have John. How did you find out all this details a out this auxy Thomas Mobey?

[@liammacaodha4783]

Bloody great Davy, where'd you get it?

[@seanohare5488]

Agree they don't call him big bad Davy Holden for nothing

[@davyholden]

Found it deep into the Rte archives!

[@phillipnoone8044]

Thanks for this great post.

[@Rydonattelo]

Richard E Grant is fantastic isn't he? He really pulls off the accent in this performance ❤.

[@Dom-fx4kt]

I thought he looked like Richard E Grant too haha

[@edwardgriffin3922]

What is often confused is Auxilleries and Black and Tans, with that said Ireland as a whole voted 80per cent plus in 1918 for independence , so the people had already politly asked them to leave they did also carry out acts of collective punishment on the civilian population. A population that was part of the UK at that time

[@johnfinbarr1160]

Incredibly encyclopaedic John. I take my hat off to you. 👍

[@lukemurphy6244]

Keepers Of The Peace what does that remind me of?

[@josephshields2922]

Okay Davy, this guy says that after the truce "We had our guns taken away" and then claims he was harrassed on the street. So the fact he did not "Go back to England" leads me to believe he was a resident of Ireland. Is that correct? nice to know where this guy was from? i thought all the tans and auxiliaries were recruited in the UK to replace Irish police who resigned?

[@steveobrien7177]

The auxiliaries remained in Ireland in the period of the truce. No one knew if it would hold.

[@seanohare5488]

True big bad Steve 0 Brien

[@johnfinbarr1160]

This man’s accent is rural England. I’d say he is from the midlands of England and judging by the interviewer’s accent which is very received pronunciation like the BBC newsreaders, I’d say this interview is taking place in England.

[@Kitiwake]

Not a chance he lived in Ireland afterwards.

[@johnroche7541]

@@Kitiwake There was Black & Tans and British soldiers that stayed behind and married local girls. They must have been ok as the IRA never interfered with them.

[@georgemcneill6408]

Wgere can i get info on the flattening of dublin by warships?

[@johnfinbarr1160]

What are you talking about? Dublin was never flattened by bombarding from warships? Though I’m sure many of the British establishment at the time would have loved to have done it. 😂 The revenge burning of Cork City and several of the towns in the Munster hinterland…Mallow and Ennisdiamond were probably the worst atempts at flattening but I’ve never heard of Dublin being flattened by gun boat bombardment. How did you come by such a reference, George?

[@genghisthegreat2034]

​@@johnfinbarr1160you need to read up on The Helga, the British gunboat on the Liffey that shelled the GPO and city centre streets. The destruction is clearly evident in all the photographs of the aftermath.

[@missk1942]

​@@johnfinbarr1160 "...While Britannia’s Huns, with their long range guns sailed in through the foggy dew"

[@edwardbourke5240]

The Helga fired a small number of white phosphorous shells burning the block between abbey street and the quays. the main shelling was by field artillery from Athlone brought by train to Ashtown

[@bouse23]

It always interesting hearing the voice of a fella from the other side.. his accent sounds bristol. It sounds like he was talking about the dripsey ambush..he didnt seem to want to say the captured men were executed..

[@johnroche7541]

He was born in Oxfordshire and died in Staffordshire. Served with the RAF in WW1. He served with "J" Coy Auxiliaries based at Glengariff,Co.Cork. See my post above.

[@seanohare5488]

Agree he downplays omits avoids alot of things like when he says about the IRA we really didn't worry about them much yeah right like say that to the auxies wiped out at kilmichael in Cork at clonfin in Longford rathcoole in Cork neither did the protect the police at all at dromkeen in Limerick at rathmore in Kerry at carrowkennedy in Mayo at modreeny in Tipperary all wiped out

[@bouse23]

@seanohare5488 when he talks about the pay and stuff. They were well paid. But The auxies never paid for anything. even from unionist owned businesses. they would take what they wanted and refuse to pay.

[@johnroche7541]

This gentleman with all due respect contradicts himself. Officially the Auxiliaries were policemen. He is a policeman. The full title of this unit is Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary(ADRIC). However if one looks at them through a military lens they were one of the first prototype counter-insurgency units ever formed. They were arned and supplied by the War Office in the UK and in strictly miltary terms could be considered mobile motorised infantry. They had several companies deployed throughout Ireland especially in areas of high IRA activity. No doubt when we see a senior person we think of our own grandparents. However this gentleman served in an Auxiliary company "J" which was based at Glengariff,Co.Cork which I stated earlier and Cork was an epicentre of the IRA military campaign. This county of Cork was responsible for almost half of all Auxiliary KIA. Personally the passing of time and talking to elderly veterans of a conflict long over does not mean they are transformed individuals. This gentleman as a senior citizen comes across as a very affable person in this interview. However he served in the Auxiliaries which committed several barbaric acts including the murder of two Catholic clergymen and torture and murder of IRA prisoners. As I stated in my original post this gentleman attended the funeral in Bury,UK of an Auxiliary killed at Kilmichael. The deaths of his comrades would have an effect on him. Tom Barry as a senior citizen stated "We didn't kill enough of the bastards". Check out Meda Ryan for aforementioned quote. I remember watching the "Discovery Channel" a number of years ago and it focused on the Waffen SS unit "Das Reich". This unit committed several war crimes in France including the destruction of a French village that was burned down and the ruins stand as a memorial today and several citizens were burned in a church. Anyway this SS veteran who was at the village came across as very affable in his interview also. Take the Auxiliary in this interview for example. Would you have liked to have run into him in Cork when he was a younger man when he was armed to the teeth with his comrades in arms and his mission was the destruction of the IRA?

[@johnroche7541]

You are incorrect in relation to the Dripsey ambush on 28th January 1921 as this was the Manchester Regiment that was involved and not the Auxiliaries. However this gentleman's Auxiliary company "J" were involved in an unsavoury incident on 11th February 1921. Two Crossley Tenders of Auxiliaries from "J" Coy passed a destroyed bridge at Clondrohid,Co Cork.. An Irish civilian ran away from this patrol and was shot. The civilian was 15 year old Daniel O'Mahoney. All one has to do is consult the local Co Cork papers for confirmation of this.

[@Bob-v3g4m]

0:44 with gnashers like those, a field of carrots would be gone within an hour.... do I hear the cry of rebellion... rabbit rebellion.

[@anthonyduffy1278]

🤣

[@Peter-k2j]

8:02 Does anyone know what he meant here by 'cork'?

[@johnfinbarr1160]

He means either of 2 places. The “gaol” as the old spelling would have it, in Jail Walk in Cork City which was knocked save for its very elegant Victorian front columns and portico and can be seen today and is part of UCC, the university in Cork city. The women were brought to a prison up in Sundays Well, Cork city, which has been restored now and is visitable as a tourist heritage centre.

[@Peter-k2j]

@@johnfinbarr1160 Interesting. Thanks for the info.

[@jojokeavy2835]

Hi Davy 👋 This Fellow...is lucky to be telling his story, especially serving Co Cork... People should always Remember that the Irish did not cause their own War🇮🇪 When you play with Fire you will get burned 🔥. Both my grandfather's from Cork & Kerry fought for Ireland . " Éire go deo 💚 "

[@stephenroche5107]

Thank you Davey interesting video. just watching Ireland beating Italy six nations come on ye boys

[@davyholden]

I’m watching it right now! This is some win 😊

[@stephenroche5107]

Cracking win I as a Brummie have always been proud of my Irish parentage till my dying day

[@michaelm5285]

Funny the real anthem was played election time

[@TheTimdoyle]

What year is this? Can we get more details?

[@DevRSVR]

Where is his accent from? Also, what year is this interview? Very interesting.

[@xpat73]

I am English would say it's a generic London/South East accent.

[@matthewstorar3417]

I don't know, it's almost a Bristol accent.

[@SeanONeill-mw4jc]

Devon/Somerset

[@Puffball-ll1ly]

Haha reminds me of my grandfather who was in WW2 Royal Navy. Buggers not a word you hear much now.

[@johnfinbarr1160]

Amazing, never heard of gun boats before. Thank you.

[@murigrim]

A very interesting video. Having family with northern roots I find it amazing he said he had no clue if woman had any involvement with the IRA or if they thought they were normal city residents or not. It shows how bad British intelligence was because the Irish mothers, daughters and wife's played a massive roll in intelligence gathering and support roles.

[@robertsansone1680]

Interesting. Thank You

[@johnfinbarr1160]

Sorry I must read up on it for sure. Not sure how a gun boat would get up the Liffey that far and accurately shoot at the GPO, a good way down O’Connell St. I always thought it was those old 18 pounder guns that shelled the GPO. Thank you I’ll have to look that up.

[@missk1942]

HMY Helga Log- “26 April. Proceeded up River. Stopped near Custom House. Opened fire on ‘Liberty Hall’ in conjunction with Military. Fired 24 rounds (8.00 am).” Liberty Hall was headquarters of the ITGWU and the Irish Citizen Army, they had marched from Liberty Hall to the GPO.

[@edwardbourke5240]

@@missk1942 you are correct but Helga only fired some 20 rounds of white phosperous setting the quayside block on fire between Butt bridge and o;Connell bridge. The Loop line bridge was in the way and shells went over Liberty Hall. the bulk of the shelling was by batteries brought from Athlone which came by train to ashtown two guns with limbers and two ammo carts - about 300 shells. This is recorded in RA recorded in RA records which used be at Woolwich.

[@liammacaodha4783]

Most of them were like ourselves back in the day. Tough as nails and one arm longer than the other. Paupers fighting paupers.

[@johnroche7541]

Nonsense. The social background of the Auxiliaries was mostly lower middle class.

[@seanohare5488]

Disagree many of the auxies well educated some well off financially not equal of status there

[@johnroche7541]

Over 420 of the Auxiliaries like this gentleman were ex RAF. Some were both ex Royal Navy and Merchant Navy. Most Auxiliaries were commissioned from the ranks.. When people especially Irish hear the term "ex Officer" they get this stereotype image of an upper class wax moustached Sandhurst educated British Army officer. This is erroneous as this type of officer took huge casualties and an appalling attritional rate in WW1 hence the promotion very quickly from the rank and file. The Auxiliaries would murder 2 Catholic clergymen Fr Michael Griffin in Co.Galway in November 1920 by members of "D" Coy and 73 year old Canon Thomas Magnier in December 1920 at Dunmanway,Co.Cork. The youngest Auxiliary was a 16 year old. God knows how he was accepted as the recruitment was very strict despite Republican propaganda afterwards. There was 3 VC holders with the Auxiliaries. Nine Auxiliaries would be decorated in Ireland for bravery with 8 earning the Constabulary Medal and one the Kings Police Medal. The father of Irish comedian Dave Allen was an Auxiliary Cadet and so was the step father of English actor Sir Alec Guiness. The nephew of A.W. Mason(wrote the "Four Feathers" which was made into several movies) served with "F" Coy based in Dublin Castle.

[@johnfinbarr1160]

They were on a pound a day. That was a fortune. In 1928, my grandmother paid 300 pounds for her house. The auxies’ could have bought a good chunk of it on a years salary if he had saved. Make no mistake, these are paid mercenaries and knew what they were there for.

[@bryanpatrickmchugh]

The IRA weren't paupers. Where did you get that idea?

[@Conero08]

A few interesting things about this for me: - for whatever flaws he had, he doesn't seem to be anti-Irish. He clearly had no problem drinking with Irishmen while he was here. The way he talks is just matter-of-fact. - he says their job was "to protect the police". I've never heard it put that way in anything I've read/seen from this period. Very interesting choice of words. It almost makes them sound like the good guys! In reality, the Auxiliaries were a counterinsurgency division. Their job was to take the fight to the IRA. - Very interesting that he mentions possible tensions between the auxiliaries and regular British army. I've often wondered what the relationship was like between the two. In all the accounts I've heard from the Irish side, it's striking how people say that the British soldiers could be reasoned with in a way the Black and Tans/Auxiliaries couldn't. - his observation that the ambushes usually happened at bends in the road is accurate. The reason for this was because the vehicles had to slow down, so were presumably easier to shoot. Dromkeen was probably the most successful example of this. - I also had to laugh at him implying it was hard to survive on a pound a day. That was twice what the Black and Tans were being paid!

[@johnroche7541]

Well a bit of basic reserach at grass roots level of this conflict will highlight the outrages of the regular British Army. For example the Essex,South Staffordshire,QOCH, and Hampshire Regiments would all earn a heinous reputation in Co.Cork for brutality. The Royal Scots(Lothian Regiment) would earn a similar reputation in Co.Clare. Plenty of other examples of the outrages throughout Ireland committed by the regular British Army. It was also the regular British Army that implemented the burning of houses in "official" reprisals in the MLA. Major Bernard Montgomery of the 17th Infantry Brigade stated later he did not care how many Irish dwellings were burned down. He is better known to history as the British General who defeated Rommels DAK and it's Axis allies at the Battle of El-Alamein and would later become a Field Marshall.

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@Conero08]

​@@johnroche7541 oh I'm well aware of the atrocities committed by the BA during the war. Not denying that. Perhaps I could have phrased that part of the comment better. What I simply meant was, in some of the civilian accounts I've heard, people said the BA were more reasonable in general than the Tans/Auxiliaries - but then, that's probably not saying very much!

[@davyholden]

Excellent points!

[@garymcgahan9089]

The regular army hated the auxillary because they were paid 1 pound per day way more than them

[@catpainblackudder01]

The full interview uncut would be interesting....

[@chad_8110]

"We're just keeping the peace" LOL Imperialism 101

[@charliedoherty5965]

Were u there..

[@Fredders88]

What did he mean that 'we had staff officers in our crowd' [so we didn't salute the army officers]? I take it that he means that he had ex-staff officers in his mob and they had achieved a much higher rank to the junior army officers so didn't feel they needed to salute them.

[@olieahern1318]

Their deeds would shame all the devils in hell this man is the horrible face of British occupation of its time 1969 his kind were again on ireland streets great video boy👍

[@steveobrien7177]

But not as much shame as the Free Staters who killed far more of our fellow countrymen than the Tans ever did

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@demusmorgan9622]

"Come out ye black an tans..." 😁

[@tomlinnane4979]

9:30

[@liamanderson1960]

Did Thomas Mobey stay in the army all his life or take up a new career when he went home?

[@finbarrokeeffe9985]

The Auxies only came West when they had big input of reinforcement,only then did they come out West. Macroom and Ros😮Rosscarbery Auxie's barrack's go it hard !!!

[@killingtime7350]

Hi Davy, I love your channel but I’m so concerned with Ireland’s current immigration and government that all the past suffering and sacrifices for Irish independence thereby giving todays Irish their own country is being wasted. I grew up in the North during the 70’s.

[@michealhand1001]

And mehole Martin standing up in the Dail and saying That Irish Sovereignty should be done away with that it,s an old fashioned idea.Bloody Traitor.

[@michealhand1001]

In 2017

[@lordmopton]

Keep your nose out of our business, you have done enough damage to our country..

[@seanohare5488]

I agree resist the great reset a sick globalist elitist plan

[@ciananmacreamoinn9253]

You are really uninformed and not worthy of calling yourself an irishman if you do not know your history...you should remember irelands long history of being accepted as immigrants around the world

[@christophersimon8339]

These are hugely important sources. A lot of Historians say that one shouldn't rely on first hand account as memory is different for everyone ,but I disagree . These are hugely important archives. Here we see and hear a real person . Not a caraciture from a rebel song or a second hand adaptation .

[@charliedoherty5965]

This man tried to shoot a man that had nothing on him only a knife and fork. This is a typical example of the people that was sent by the British to so call subdue the Irish on there own soil..go home British soldiers go on home.......

[@lindahughes4409]

Heat of battle Charlie’s,you would do the same

[@nogojo2]

its still partly governed by the brits so wether soldiersare there or not dont make a difference does it. the paddies can never understand that though

[@suino1433]

@@nogojo2 Is a people willing to be humiliated? Do you understand the question?

[@Adam-hi4mg]

He had been caught laying an ambush, do you really think they'd let him run away

[@billybyrne523]

Brits were experts at 'shooting in the back' just look up the records

[@edwardbourke5240]

Auxiliaries murdered Prendergast in Fermoy by throwing him in the river, canon Magner in Dunmanway but were officers so no real sentences. Mitchell the Black and Tan was hanged in Mountjoy in June 1921.

[@joehart7260]

Reminds me of those old Nazi SS officers you sometimes see being interviewed in old age and looking like they wouldn't hurt a fly. Would like to have seen a photo of him in his Auxies uniform at the time.

[@johnroche7541]

Well there is a picture of "J" Company which he served in taken at the Eccles Hotel,Glengariff,Co.Cork where he was based. It appears in one of Jim Herlihy's books who has written extensively on the police forces during this turbulent period.. No doubt this gentleman in this documentary is in that photo but there is no names given. It certainly will take someone with better eyes than me to locate him.

[@joehart7260]

@GreenGrenouille Not from you frog.

[@joehart7260]

@GreenGrenouille You mean like making a statement without backing it up with any facts? Yeah, that's ignorant alright.

[@joehart7260]

@GreenGrenouille Sounds like a cop out to me.

[@joehart7260]

@GreenGrenouille Well try expressing yourself without expletive deletives, or for whatever reason they did not publish it.

[@jackspring7709]

I'm always amazed at how civilised and proper these savages sound when they're being interviewed by credulous journalists. These guys were like a cross between the SA and SS: that's all they were - nothing more: and a suit, tie and accent doesn't change that.

[@Fredders88]

Interviewer's accent's -- classic

[@ChrisinHove]

Fascinating. So much is wilfully downplayed - or simply ignored - in British history. Our entire colonial history is where anyone who looked, sounded or prayed differently was deemed inferior, simply to enable the exploitation, and everyone was taught this. It’s this mindset that allows “normal” men to kill and torture - just like “the end justifies the means” does.

[@Iazzaboyce]

Who told you this?

[@mfdoyle5879]

Crozier's book is called "The Men I Killed", he afterwards became a Pacifist, and returned to Ireland after it gained Independence. This mans story doesn't ring true , he says that their job was to keep the peace in the Country. The only fighting in the Country was against the Auxies an Black and Tans.

[@johnroche7541]

Check out the the TV documentary drama made by the BBC in 1994 titled "In Suspicious Circumstances". It tells the true story of a young underage soldier named James Crozier who joins the Royal Irish Rifles in WW1. His commander is yes you guessed it Lt General Frank Crozier of the Royal Irish Rifles. They are not related. It tells of the part Lt General Frank Crozier played in the fate of young James. Hope this is of interest.

[@mfdoyle5879]

Thanks for this info James. Is this James , the young soldier, that refused to fight,and was shot, By Frank Crozier, on the orders of Kitchener.?? @@johnroche7541

[@elzorro7of9]

4 mins 38, they went home and gave up all the information on yiz lol. That's why they were not attacked.

[@liammacaodha4783]

This guy seems to be one of the more genuine good aulde soldiers compared to some of the vicious stories we've heard. Sitting with the pub with the freedom fighter all afternoon. 😂😅😅😂

[@davyholden]

Definitely.

[@FannyShmellar]

I wonder if he knew he was drinking with a rebel whilst they were chatting? I mean the rebel must surely have know he was drinking with a Brit.

[@mgk7963]

Why ,do you think he was telling the truth?

[@douglasspencer745]

Ireland have a big uphill struggle, to regain their Country. As do all of Europe

[@Slievenamon]

There should have been no drilling at all. Drilling provided the enemy with too many opportunities. This was guerrilla warfare. It appears some of the guys at GHQ up in Dublin were out of touch.

[@johnfinbarr1160]

Haven’t heard that term shinners for a while. Like that term Paisley used to use fenians. Interesting to hear what he describes as a priest informing on the boys and on of them shot dead in the back. Interesting to know who that priest was and if he has been recorded as giving up information on why he did this. There’s a few of these interesting with old auxies on the RTE archives as well. One fellow talks of the great reception they got in Dublin but when they were posted in Fermoy, it was very hostile with women shouting at them in the streets.

[@johnroche7541]

If you look at my reply to "@bouse23" above I give information in relation to the Dripsey ambush which might be the incident this Auxiliary is referring to as it also involved a priest.

[@andrewgamble5332]

Are they going to fight to save Ireland grom being overwhelmed like they did for a united Ireland?

[@stephenholmes1036]

They were on £1 a day, The army hated them.

[@NiSiochainGanSaoirse]

Jesus, this fella makes hard work of talking.

[@KimPhilby203]

Look at Northern Ireland now , free healthcare , good roads , excellent infrastructure, housing.....

[@annied9864]

I didn’t know you can shout when you can’t breath out

[@jofasable]

May all the Tans scream in their grace forever.

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@phillord90]

Bit like the politicians who sent the Army into the troubles then blame them for doing what they were sent to do

[@bronxcheer1484]

Why does the camera focus on those teeth?

[@finbarrokeeffe9985]

Tom.Barry sorted the Auxies out !!!

[@jaythebarbarian195]

He reminds me of a German minimizing what he did during the War.

[@MrSmegfish]

Just the EU to fight now...

[@obbhoy]

Mudering filith Tiocfaidh Ar La

[@seanohare5488]

Dragon teeth

[@johnrogan7473]

How arrogant this man is. How economic with the truth.

[@russellhogan2708]

He seems to think it was a joke to persecute people.

[@munch762]

You know the journos biased by the use of the word shinners. Still bitter over a few sods of flaming turf 😂

[@fintanotoole3514]

Would you believe him?

[@andrewjones1649]

I'm English, with zero Irish connection, but that bloke was deeply unpleasant and a poor liar I wouldn't like to say what he'd been up to in his time. Certainly not to be trusted.

[@anthonydonlan3140]

Gaza didn't start on the Seventh of never

[@billybyrne523]

Hahaha....'we didn't know anybody who was on their side'...the whole feckin country

[@lrdisco2005]

Another war criminal whose lies catch him out.

[@niallcnoc9646]

The peacekeepers of West Cork 😂 I’ve heard it all now.

[@billybyrne523]

😂😂😂😂

[@Pokesus]

I knew he was British after see those teeths.

[@steveobrien7177]

‘Teeths’ !

[@SEANPOL203]

😁

[@seanohare5488]

Dragon teeth

[@brendos5289]

Indeed. I saw a documentary once where citizens of various european nations were invited to offer their opinions on citizens of neighbouring nations. When a frenchman was asked what came to mind when thinking about the english he said 'bad manners and bad teeth'.

[@FannyShmellar]

@@brendos5289Funny, the French are renowned for their appalling manners and the Brits are known to actually be a stickler for them. Especially in the North of England.

[@aaronruss6331]

Animals the way they acted in Ireland.

[@trisgilmour]

Very interesting 🤔

[@lmc4964]

the banality of evil

[@darrenfarrell-bn2cb]

Black and Tans done Awful atrocities no Irish can forgive this

[@susanmoriarty7533]

Can see in his face he’s a wrong un “they got very cheeky” in their own country? Sad that Ireland have a new invasion to worry about what is it about our country that everyone wants it 💚

[@seanohare5488]

Ireland is very beautiful wild cliff oats beaches many mountains thousands it seems of rivers and lakes lush rolling hills forestry but also very friendly helpful humorous people

[@johnkelly1027]

It’s a pity this old guy can’t tell the truth.

[@freespirit3508]

In there latter yrs . They still laugh disgusting

[@henrys4852]

Brave men. Wore uniforms while their enemies skulked in hedgerows wearing civilian clothing.

[@johnroche7541]

There is no denying the Auxiluaries were brave as can be confirmed by the gallantry rewards they received in WW1. Nine Auxiliaries would be decorated for bravery in Ireland. Eight would receive the Constabulary Medal and one Auxiliary the Kings Police Medal. I totally refute your analysis of the IRA. Hundreds were veterans of WW1 and 5 were decorated for bravery including a VC recipient. The IRA had an official volunteer uniform which some wore as can be seen in contemporary photographs of the time. However the IRA had a rudimentary uniform consisting of gaiters,leggings,trench coat,Sam Browne belt, peak cap. The Irish government issued a medal in the 1940's for surviving g IRA veterans and the IRA figure displayed on the obverse of the medal is wearing the aforementioned rudimentary uniform.

[@johnroche7541]

Just to add to my above post. Tom Barry served with the Royal Field Artillery in WW1 in the Middle East. He was the most successful IRA Field Commander in the conflict. Emmet Dalton won the Miltary Cross for bravery at Guinchy in September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme while a Lieutenant serving with the 9th Bn Royal Dublin Fusiliers. He would later hold the post of Director of Training at IRA GHQ in Dublin. Remember those IRA veterans saw action at Mons,Cambrai,Loos,Gallipoli,Somme Passchendaele,Salonika and Middle East.

[@johnroche7541]

Again just to add to my above posts.The IRA used guerilla warfare. Just like the Boers before them and the Partisans of occupied Nazi Europe,Vietcong and the Mujahideen against tbe Soviets after them. Have you ever served in the miltary? Anybody who has will recognise some basic IRA infantry doctrine that a modern soldier would recognise today. A)On foot I hasten to add the IRA travelled to and from POC(Points of Contact) with the enemy. B)The IRA engaged more experienced opponents in CQB(Close Quarter Battle). C)The IRA orchestrated elaborate ambushes and KZ's(Kill Zones). D)After successful operations the IRA conducted sound E&E(Escape and Evasion) manoeuvres. E) The IRA(1920-1921) were one of tbe first to utilise the IED. There is no doubt the experienced IRA Volunteer that emerges at the end of tbe Irish War of Independence could be justifiably considered a first rate light infantry soldier. By the way under Martial Law which was declared in December 1920 it was a capital offence for an IRA Volunteer to A) wear official IRA Volunteer uniform and B) it was a capital offence for an IRA Volunteer to wear the uniform of the Crown Forces with tbe intent to deceive. I think we all should do a bit of research before we make erroneous assumptions. Would'nt you agree?

[@seamust1181]

Brave men armed to their teeth with armoured vehicles & dozens of men against a couple of lads with dodgy rifles. All we know for sure though is that you’re a coward. Can’t even show your face.

[@mrsuperger5429]

A very decent man first and soldier second. He served his King and Country well. The role of the old IRA is wildly exaggerated by the Irish into misplaced legend, usual by silly Hollywood movies. The Irish rebelled against civilian policemen when the real tough Irishmen were at the Front at the Somme and elsewhere.

[@johnfinbarr1160]

O that’s right you mean like the real Irish that were subjected to wave after wave of genocide for the previous 800 years. And you were there with the real Irishmen at the Somme were you?

[@steveobrien7177]

The Irish didn’t rebel ‘against civilian policemen’…whatever that means

[@verali164]

What happened to my comment davy

[@obbhoy]

Not a man he's a murderer

[@patob4868]

Another ignorant fool who knows nothing about irish history, get the facts before you comment

[@19dec1981]

this is just like those old Israelis telling stories about how they burned Palestinians during the Nakba and laughing.

[@peteybwoyee]

He has auxiliary teeth

[@vinlennox7658]

Not a nice man

[@silverkitty2503]

This is British propaganda.