Jack Nelson is loosely based on Joseph Kennedy.
The Catholic church Tommy goes to is Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. The floor stone of the architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott is clearly visible.
Diana Mitford says 'God, I hate Paris'. This is most likely a cheeky nod to the fact the Mitford and Moseley spend most of their life living in Paris after the war as their reputations were irreparably damaged in the UK after their internment for their Nazi and Fascist views and their friendship with Hitler.
The exterior of the building where Tommy addresses the South Birmingham Labour Party is the Salford Lads Club as featured on the inside cover of The Smiths 'The Queen is Dead' album.
Supporters of the British Union of Fascists, led by Sir Oswald Mosley, were known as 'Black Shirts' after the uniforms they wore.