The Ulster Defence Regiment was raised following severe rioting and prolonged sectarian
violence in the Summer of 1969. The Regiment, intended solely for security duties in Ulster. The UDR
developed rapidly and became operational on the 1st April 1970. Originally it numbered seven battalions, one for each County and the City of Belfast. By late 1972 it had
expanded to eleven battalions. The full list was 1st (County Antrim); 2nd (County Armagh); 3rd (County Down); 4th (County
Fermanagh) 5th (County Londonderry); 6th (County Tyrone); 7th (City of Belfast); 8th (County Tyrone); 9th (County An trim);
10th (City of Belfast) and 11th (Craigavon) battalions.
Regimental headquarters was at Lisburn and peak strength was 9,000 men. In 1973, women were recruited for the first time
and soon became nicknamed 'Greenfinches'. All seeking to join the UDR were subject to independent security screening by the
army before being accepted. In 1984, the number of battalions was reduced to nine, the two Antrim and two Belfast battalions
being merged into one each: the lst/9th (County Antrim) and the 7th/lOth (City of Belfast). Originally composed of part-timers
with a small regular cadre, the UDR changed its nature over the years and at the end, was composed of locally recruited
regulars and part-timers in a roughly 50:50 ratio. Over 40,000 individuals served with the UDR during its existence. A
minuscule faction of this total were convicted of criminal activities: 17 for murder and 121 for other serious offences. However, because the UDR was controlled from
Westminster, the British Government has firmly defended the record of the UDR which was overwhelmingly, one of courage,
restraint and self-sacrifice.
In 1992, as part of post-Cold War defence cuts and a radical restructuirng of the British army, the UDR was merged with the
Royal Irish Rangers, to form the Royal Irish Regiment. The new Regiment is divided into two elements: an all-regular battalion,
for service all over the world, in a conventional role and six mixed regular/part-time security battalions for Ulster. This latest
development thus marks a joining of two main strands of Ulster's military history.
In it's brief but distinguished history, the Regiment earned massive respect for it's contribution to the fight against terrorist violence. Indeed it can claim the distinction of having seen more prolonged active service
than any other regiment in the history of the British Army.
