Constable, Auxiliary Division, Royal Irish Constabulary, 1919.jpg

To provide additional resources to the Royal Irish Constabulary volunteers from amongst the demobilising Army were recruited into the Auxiliary Division

These men, some of whom were decorated for bravery during the war, were known by many names, including ‘auxies’ and ‘black and tans’. The latter came from their original uniforms which were a mixture of the dark green of the RIC and the khaki of the Army.

The uniform of this temporary Constable illustrates that mix of colour. His balmoral cap and breeches are made from RIC material, whilst his tunic and breeches are Army stock. Later Army khaki was dyed to ‘green’ to blend in with the RIC items.

Over the jacket he carries a mix of RIC (waistbelt, ammunition pouch and holster) and army (1903 bandolier) equipment. His weapons may also be a mix, a RIC revolver (although it may be army issue) and an army SMLE rifle.

The Auxiliaries were not trained for internal security tasks and fought the war they had been fighting for four years. Their reputation was severely tarnished by a number of acts of indiscriminate violence. In the end, when the RIC was disbanded, many went on to join the Palestine Gendarmerie and subsequently the Palestine Police.