Misplaced Pages

Ulster Defence Regiment: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editNext edit →Content deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 15:17, 27 April 2008 edit86.175.64.224 (talk) WP:Verifiability, WP:No original research - learn to love them← Previous edit Revision as of 15:18, 27 April 2008 edit undoGDD1000 (talk | contribs)1,535 edits Undid revision 208536838 by 86.175.64.224 (talk)Original research confirmed by link to Northern Ireland Assembly recordsNext edit →
Line 112: Line 112:
Initially, seven ] were raised, immediately making it the largest regiment in the British Army. Within two years, a further four battalions were added, taking the total to eleven. To begin with, the regiment consisted entirely of part-time volunteers, before a full time cadre was added in 1976. Initially, seven ] were raised, immediately making it the largest regiment in the British Army. Within two years, a further four battalions were added, taking the total to eleven. To begin with, the regiment consisted entirely of part-time volunteers, before a full time cadre was added in 1976.


By the time the UDR became operational on ], it had a strength of 2440; of which 946 were Catholics.{{fact|date=April 2008}} By the time the UDR became operational on ] ], it had a strength of 2440; of which 946 were Catholics.{{fact|date=April 2008}}


The full-time element of the regiment eventually expanded to encompass more than half the total personnel. The UDR was also the first infantry regiment in the British Army to fully integrate women into its structure, when '''Greenfinches''' (so-called because of the code-name used to identify them by radio) took over clerical and signals duties, which allowed male members of the regiment to return to patrol duties. Greenfinches also accompanied many patrols so that female suspects could be searched<ref>{{cite web | author= | title=MOD Army|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/royalirish/history/the_ulster_defence_regiment.htm| accessdaymonth=]| accessyear=2008}}</ref>. Three Greenfinches were killed during ], Private Eva Martin, L/Cpl Jean Leggett and Pte Margaret A. Hearst. The full-time element of the regiment eventually expanded to encompass more than half the total personnel. The UDR was also the first infantry regiment in the British Army to fully integrate women into its structure, when '''Greenfinches''' (so-called because of the code-name used to identify them by radio) took over clerical and signals duties, which allowed male members of the regiment to return to patrol duties. Greenfinches also accompanied many patrols so that female suspects could be searched<ref>{{cite web | author= | title=MOD Army|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/royalirish/history/the_ulster_defence_regiment.htm| accessdaymonth=]| accessyear=2008}}</ref>. Three Greenfinches were killed during ], Private Eva Martin, L/Cpl Jean Leggett and Pte Margaret A. Hearst.
Line 189: Line 189:


In 1999 David Jordan, a former UDR soldier, allegedly broke down in a bar and admitted to being part of a patrol that killed ] councillor Patsy Kelly in 1974. Jordan also implicated former ] ] member ] in the murder <ref>See reference </ref> In 1999 David Jordan, a former UDR soldier, allegedly broke down in a bar and admitted to being part of a patrol that killed ] councillor Patsy Kelly in 1974. Jordan also implicated former ] ] member ] in the murder <ref>See reference </ref>

The argument over collusion between the UDR/Security Forces continues with allegations being made by both sides along party lines as to who was colluding with whom. Nationalist/Republican politicians allege various levels of collusion between the UDR, RUC, British Army and other agencies whereas, (predictably) the Unionist politicians of Northern Ireland insist this problem was never as bad as detractors of the security forces are attempting to make out and that similar collusion existed on an unknown scale between the forces of the Irish Republic and the IRA. Unionist politicians point out that the IRA actually killed more members of the Nationalist community than all the forces of the Crown combined. A transcript of a debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly of Tuesday 27th February 2001 reveals that this issue is still controversial.


== Awards, Honours & Decorations == == Awards, Honours & Decorations ==

Revision as of 15:18, 27 April 2008

Ulster Defence Regiment CGC
File:UDR.PNGSymbol of the Ulster Defence Regiment
Active1970 - 1992
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchBritish Army
TypeLine Infantry
RoleInternal Security
Size11 battalions (at peak)
MarchGarryowen
Commanders
Current
commander		Defunct
Colonel of
the Regiment		Colonel Mark Campbell.
Military unit

The Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) was an infantry regiment of the British Army formed in 1970 to replace the B Specials of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in assisting with security duties within Northern Ireland. It was the largest regiment in the British Army, formed with an initial seven battalions and an extra four added later. The regiment consisted entirely of part-time volunteers until 1976 when a full time cadre was added. Due to recruiting from the local community at a time of intercommunal strife, it faced accusations of collusion through most of its term. Even though intended to be non-partisan, and beginning with up to 18% Catholic recruits, the regiment's image problems with nationalists resulted in the Catholic membership declining, with only 3% being Catholic when it amalgamated in 1992 with the Royal Irish Rangers, forming the Royal Irish Regiment. In 2007 the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross was awarded to the regiment for its service during Operation BANNER, and the regiment is now allowed to use the postnominal letters CGC as part of its name (The Ulster Defence Regiment CGC).

History

The regiment was formed in 1970 after recommendations from the Hunt Report (1969), which suggested replacing the Ulster Special Constabulary, and specifically the part-time section called the B Specials which had a dubious reputation as a Protestant army, with a force that would be "impartial in every sense." Given that the stated aim of the regiment was the building of a non-partisan force it is of interest that the first two soldiers reported as signing up were a 19 year old Catholic and a 47 year old Protestant. Seven battalions were initially raised, making it the largest regiment in the British Army. Two years later, four more battalions were added, taking the total to eleven. The regiment consisted entirely of part-time volunteers until 1976 when a full time cadre was added. At first, the regiment was 82 per cent Protestant and 18 per cent Catholic, but this ratio had became 99:1 by 1992. The full time element of the regiment eventually expanded to encompass half the total personnel. The regiment was reduced to nine battalions in 1984, then to seven in 1991, at which point Tom King, the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, announced that as part of the restructuring of the armed forces the regiment would merge with the Royal Irish Rangers to form the Royal Irish Regiment. On 1 July 1992 the merger was officially complete. On 1 August 2007 the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, the second highest British military honour, was awarded to the regiment for its service during Operation Banner.

Throughout the UDR's history, there were allegations that members covertly aided the loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. Evidence believed to have been examined by British military intelligence in 1973 concluded that while there was "in no case proof positive of collusion" there was however "considerable suspicion".Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

To date it is the only unit in the history of the British Army to have been on operational deployment for its entire history, from the moment it was created until it was amalgamated with the Royal Irish Rangers in 1992.

Duties

The primary function of the regiment was to assist the police by guarding key installations and providing patrols and vehicle checkpoints on public roads to hamper the activities of terrorist groups. The regiment was not permitted to engage in "crowd control" situations.

As the force was initially predominantly part-time the presence of its members was mostly felt during evenings and weekends. The force was expected to answer to general call out and was indeed mobilised on a permanent basis on several occasions such as Operation Motorman to provide manpower assistance to the police or army.

As the regiment evolved into a predominantly full-time unit it assumed more duties previously assigned to the police or army in support of Operation Banner. By 1980 the full-time element had become the majority and the regiment's role had expanded to include tactical responsibility for 85% of Northern Ireland supporting the Royal Ulster Constabulary. By this time the sight of UDR patrols on the streets or countryside of Northern Ireland was commonplace 24 hours a day.

Members killed

Between 1 April 1970 and 30 June 1992, a total of 197 soldiers were killed as active servicemen. Another 61 members were slain after they had left the UDR. Many UDR soldiers were killed in the line of duty, or because of their association with the regiment.

Two UDR soldiers were killed by the regular army, three by loyalist paramilitaries, three others were killed as members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), and the remaining 192 by republican paramilitaries (mainly the Provisional Irish Republican Army). During this time members of the UDR were responsible for the killing of six civilians and two members of the IRA. Many unionist politicians in Northern Ireland today are former members of the UDR, Tom Elliott and Jeffrey Donaldson for example.

Structure

Initially, seven battalions were raised, immediately making it the largest regiment in the British Army. Within two years, a further four battalions were added, taking the total to eleven. To begin with, the regiment consisted entirely of part-time volunteers, before a full time cadre was added in 1976.

By the time the UDR became operational on 1 April 1970, it had a strength of 2440; of which 946 were Catholics.

The full-time element of the regiment eventually expanded to encompass more than half the total personnel. The UDR was also the first infantry regiment in the British Army to fully integrate women into its structure, when Greenfinches (so-called because of the code-name used to identify them by radio) took over clerical and signals duties, which allowed male members of the regiment to return to patrol duties. Greenfinches also accompanied many patrols so that female suspects could be searched. Three Greenfinches were killed during the Troubles, Private Eva Martin, L/Cpl Jean Leggett and Pte Margaret A. Hearst.

Battalions

Uniform

On operational duty male members of the regiment dressed in a similar fashion to regular army units. Camoflage jackets were worn and headgear was a distinctive green beret with a gold coloured "Maid of Erin" style harp, surmounted by the Royal crown (in later years this was dulled down by blackening). Female "Greenfinch" members wore rifle green skirts and jackets with the UDR beret and cap badge. For ceremonial occasions the men wore the standard British Army No 2 Dress uniform (also called Service Dress). The female "best dress" was exactly the same as their patrol uniform. The beret was retained as headgear.

Weaponry and vehicles

The most familiar weapon associated with the regiment was the standard issue L1A1 Self Loading Rifle, referred to as the "SLR". Other weaponry was available however such as; the 9 mm Browning pistol, the Sterling sub machine gun, the L4A4 Light Machine Gun and the L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun. Small stocks of Riot Guns were also kept. These were used to fire plastic bullets to knock down doors and other obstacles during search operations.

The regiment later exchanged its SLRs (as did all infantry units in the army) for the SA80.

The standard patrol vehicle was the 3/4 ton Land Rover used extensively throughout the British armed Forces. Following withdrawal from police service a number of Shorland armoured cars were allocated to the regiment but these were rarely used after initial service because the turret was designed to hold a General Purpose Machine Gun which was deemed unsuitable for urban use due to its rapid rate of fire and tendancy to be innacurate. The Shorland was not popular with the soldiers who used it due to its instability on the road because of the heavy turret. 3 ton and 4 ton Bedford trucks were used for large troop movements.

A range of unmarked civilian cars and vans was also used for staff, administration and covert activities.

The Ulster Defence Regiment was also deployed by helicopters supplied by either the Royal Air Force or Army Air Corps for rapid insertion or for duties in border areas where it was unsafe or unwise to use wheeled transport.

Information cards

A number of small information cards were carried by each UDR soldier to assist in the execution of his duties. These were generally referred to by their colour.

  • The Yellow Card was a list of the rules for opening fire.
  • The Blue Card was a detailed explanation of how arrests were to be made.
  • The White Card was to be given to next of kin or other appropriate person in the event of an arrest of a suspect.
  • The Green Card carried instructions on how to deal with accidental cross-border incursion into the Irish Republic and subsequent arrest by Irish security forces.
  • The Red Card contained instructions on how to summon helicopter support and the drills for entering and leaving helicopters.

Music

Each battalion had a number of pipers and these musicians participated in a centralised pipe band formally called the Pipes & Drums of the Ulster Defence Regiment. Their uniform followed the traditional military dress for Irish pipers, consisting of a saffron kilt, bottle green "Prince Charlie" jacket, bottle green cape and bottle green caubeen adorned with a double size cap badge. Unlike other Irish regiments in the British Army UDR pipers did not wear a hackle.

The regimental quick march was Garryowen.
The regimental slow march was Eileen Allanagh.

Attitudes and image

  • Approximately 50% of the UDR's initial recruits were former B-Specials.
  • The popular Catholic perception of the UDR was a "sectarian reincarnation" of the B-Specials. This, and IRA intimidation prevented them from joining.
  • In a late 1980s poll 89% of Catholics were opposed to any extension of the UDR's role.
  • In the mid-1980s the SDLP said the UDR "has by far the worst record for serious sectarian crimes of any Regiment presently in service with the British Armed Forces".
  • Between 1970 and 1985 seventeen UDR members were convicted of murder or manslaughter, 99 of assault, and "others" (no exact figure) were convicted of charged or convicted of armed robbery, weapons offenses, bombing, intimidation and attacks on Catholics, kidnapping, and membership in the UVF.
  • Only a small fraction were involved in such crime, but the proportion was higher than for the regular British Army or RUC.

Allegation of collusion

Original Anti-UDR poster

Throughout the UDR's history, there were allegations that members covertly aided the loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. Evidence believed to have been examined by British military intelligence in 1973 concluded that while there was "in no case proof positive of collusion" there was however "considerable suspicion".Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

  • In 1972/3 an estimated 5-15% of UDR soldiers were directly linked to loyalist paramilitary groups,
  • In 1972/3 it was believed that the "best single source of weapons, and the only significant source of modern weapons, for Protestant extremist groups was the UDR",
  • It was feared UDR troops were loyal to "Ulster" alone rather than to "Her Majesty's Government",
  • The British Government knew that UDR weapons were being used by loyalist paramilitaries, including the killing of a Roman Catholic civilian and other attacks.

Despite knowing that the UDR had problems and that over 200 weapons had been passed from British Army hands to loyalist paramilitaries by 1973, the British Government went on to increase the role of the UDR in maintaining order in Northern Ireland. This was part of the wider "Normalisation, Ulsterisation, and Criminalisation" strategy to quell the violence of the IRA.

Two UDR soldiers, who were also members of the Ulster Volunteer Force, were convicted of the 1975 killing of three members of the pop group the Miami Showband in a UVF attack.

In 1989, 28 UDR soldiers were arrested by the Royal Ulster Constabulary as part of the Stevens Inquiry into security force collusion with paramilitaries. Six of those arrested were later awarded damages over their arrests.

In 1999 David Jordan, a former UDR soldier, allegedly broke down in a bar and admitted to being part of a patrol that killed nationalist councillor Patsy Kelly in 1974. Jordan also implicated former Democratic Unionist Party Northern Ireland Assembly member Oliver Gibson in the murder

The argument over collusion between the UDR/Security Forces continues with allegations being made by both sides along party lines as to who was colluding with whom. Nationalist/Republican politicians allege various levels of collusion between the UDR, RUC, British Army and other agencies whereas, (predictably) the Unionist politicians of Northern Ireland insist this problem was never as bad as detractors of the security forces are attempting to make out and that similar collusion existed on an unknown scale between the forces of the Irish Republic and the IRA. Unionist politicians point out that the IRA actually killed more members of the Nationalist community than all the forces of the Crown combined. A transcript of a debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly of Tuesday 27th February 2001 reveals that this issue is still controversial.

Awards, Honours & Decorations

The most notable award to the Ulster Defence Regiment was the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross made by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second in 2007. This unit citation confers the right of the regiment to be known as The Ulster Defence Regiment CGC During the award ceremony in Belfast the Queen paid tribute to the regiment by saying "Your contribution to peace and stability in Northern Ireland is unique." "Serving and living within the community had required "uncommon courage and conviction". "The regiment had never flinched despite suffering extreme personal intimidation. Their successes had "come at a terrible price, many gave their lives. Today you have cause to reflect on the fine achievements, while remembering the suffering". "The Home Service Battalions of the RIR and the UDR which had preceded them won the deepest respect throughout the land." So that their actions would always be remembered, the CGC was awarded to the RIR/UDR "as a mark of the nation's esteem" with the citation, "This award is in recognition of the continuous operational service and sacrifice of the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Irish Regiment in Northern Ireland during Operation Banner."

A number of individual town councils in Northern Ireland honoured the regiment with "Freedom of the Borough" awards, most notably that given to the 7/10th (City of Belfast) Battalion where in addition to the Freedom of the City" the Wilkinson Sword of Peace was awarded for "community relations work". This prestigious award was also later given to the 8th (County Tyrone) Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment, successor to the 6th & 8th (Co Tyrone) Battalions of the Ulster Defence Regiment.

Many individuals received awards through the British honours system however for most UDR soldiers the presentation of decorations assumed the form of "service" or campaign" medals including:

The General Service Medal with "Northern Ireland" bar.
The Ulster Defence Medal replaced in 1992 by the
Northern Ireland Home Service Medal
The Accumulated Campaign Service Medal
The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

Notable Members

References

Notes

  1. EF/KMcA. "4NI website". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. "MOD website". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. "BBC ON THIS DAY". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-04-14. {{cite web}}: Text "10" ignored (help); Text "1969: Ulster's B Specials to be disbanded" ignored (help)
  4. "BBC NEWS". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-04-14. {{cite web}}: Text "Chequered history of Irish regiment" ignored (help); Text "Northern Ireland" ignored (help)
  5. ^ CAIN Archive:Public Records: Subversion in the UDR Although initially written in 1973, the report was only declassified in 2004.
  6. "The Regimental Association of The Ulster Defence Regiment". www.udrassociation.org. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
  7. ^ "CAIN: HMSO: Hunt Report, 1969". cain.ulst.ac.uk. Retrieved 2008-04-16.
  8. "B-Specials - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about B-Specials". encyclopedia.farlex.com. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
  9. "Untitled Document". www.udr.talktalk.net. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
  10. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/5411706.stm
  11. "MOD Army". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  12. "MOD Army". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  13. Search 5 more were killed after amalgamation with the Royal Irish Rangers www.cain.ulst.ac.uk/sutton database
  14. See http://www.army.mod.uk/royalirish/history/the_ulster_defence_regiment.htm
  15. See the following quotes of 1975's chapter of Sutton chronology:
    • 27 July 1975 William Hanna (46) Protestant Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF)
    Also off duty Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) member. Shot outside his home, Houston Park, Mourneview, Lurgan, County Armagh.
    • 31 July 1975 Harris Boyle (22) Protestant
    Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) Also Ulster Defence Regiment member. Killed in premature explosion while planting bomb on minibus belonging to Miami showband, Buskhill, near Newry, County Down.
    • 31 July 1975 Wesley Somerville (34) Protestant
    Status: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), Killed by: Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) Also Ulster Defence Regiment member. Killed in premature explosion while planting bomb on minibus belonging to Miami showband, Buskhill, near Newry, County Down.
  16. "MOD Army". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  17. Transforming Settler States: Communal Conflict and Internal Security in Northern Ireland and Zimbabwe, Ronald Weitzer, University of California Press, 1990. Page 208. ISBN 9780520064904.
  18. ^ May 2 2006 edition of the Irish News available here.
  19. Paisley by Ed Moloney & Andy Pollak Poolbeg Press Ltd., 1986 P.363-402
  20. 1976: UDR men jailed for Showband killings
  21. "A Chronology of the Conflict - 1989". CAIN. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  22. "Collusion - Chronology of Events in the Stevens Inquiries =". CAIN. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
  23. See reference here
  24. "UDR Association". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessdaymonth= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

Bibliography

  • A Testimony to Courage - the Regimental History of the Ulster Defence Regiment 1969 - 1992, Major John Furniss Potter, Pen & Sword Books Ltd, 2001, ISBN 0850528194

External links

Categories:
Ulster Defence Regiment: Difference between revisions Add topic