Irish Flames

Before Peter Waller, co-founder of the American School in London, died in 1990 – he is pictured on the left aged eight – he gave a partial manuscript to the author, his half-brother. Here is his story. Irish Flames is a thriller. It is based on Peter’s memories of his childhood and the 1920 arrival of the Black and Tans. It is set in heart-wrenching times, intertwining flames of freedom, flames of hate and flames of love, The white of peace links the Green and the Orange in the tricolour, the flag of free Ireland. Irish Flames brings together, in tender affection, the Green and the Orange in the War of Independence. They unite against the barbaric Black and Tans, brought over by the British to “beat the hell out of the Irish”.

“If the persons approaching (a patrol) carry their hands in their pockets, or are in any way suspicious looking, shoot them down. Innocent persons may be shot, but that cannot be helped. I assure you no policeman will get into any trouble for shooting any man.” (Englishman Lt. Col. Smythe, June 1920)