Hi, mate , I served 6yrs with 2 Para and then 18 years with the UDR couple of yrs part-time then after internment, I went full-time. We did not live in camp, we bought/rented our own accn! I retired not long before the UDR merged with the R.Irish
Thank you for your service and keeping us safe. I would loved to have been in the UDR but unfortunately got turned down for my hearing. Big respect to you Sir.
My father was a member of the B specials before he met my mother. He said to me that he still had his MK 3 Lee Enfield rifle which was kept in the gun cabinet at his mother's house in Northern County Derry. He handed the Lee Enfield into the local RUC station after his mother passed away. He also handed in a Martini-Henry Rifle from the Boar War, a 410 shotgun and a 12-bore shotgun.
The UDR Soldier As poppy petals gently fall, Remember us who gave our all, Not in the mud of foreign lands, Not buried in the desert sands. In Ulster field and farm and town, Fermanagh’s lanes and drumlin’d Down, We died that violent death should cease, An Ulstermen should live in peace We did not serve because we hate, Nor bitterness our hearts dictate, But we were they who must aspire, To quench the flame of terror’s fire. As buglers sound and pipers play The proud Battalions march away. Now may the weary violence cease, And let our country live in peace. By Maj. John Potter UD.
I am a former member of the 11th (Craigavon) Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment, I would like to thank you sir for your excellent, balanced and well presented history of my old regiment, I was particularly pleased to hear you say you spent time with my battalion in Mahon Barracks, Portadown. Quis Separabit.
Thank you and all the lads and lasses from your Regiment. I remember the first time a drove to your Barracks and I saw there was a Crossbow Factory near by.
When I joined I enlisted into the 7th Battalion. We later merged with the 10th Battalion and became 7/10 Battalion. Served with pride. Wearing the uniform of the British army and serving alongside the regular army filled me so much with pride. As you said there was a few bad apples within the regiment but the VAST majority of the U.D.R. soldiers were doing the job with devotion. Thank you so very much for your video. Means so much to those who served in the regiment to hear the honest views from a "brother in arms" from England.
I was a member of the UDR great regiment and thought to myself that we were out on the streets at night and the regular soldiers got to sleep in a guarded barracks safe but we went home and were defenceless other than my shotgun. One day I took a trip to London to the tower were I met a yeoman of the guard he had a line if ribbons on his chest I caught sight of the NI ribbon at the end as we chatted about motorcycles I said to him that’s an interesting ribbon at the end what’s that for he looked at me and said that’s the exact same as the one you have sir ! I was not only touched but astonished he knew I had the same one. He said to me you know we served there alongside you guys but at night we went to our barracks and had guards looking out for us so we were safe. You lads went home and were at risk 24-7. You could have knocked me down with a feather I got quite emotional that’s hard to admit but held it in when I left I said thank you sir for your service and to my surprise he said thank you for yours sir . I thought it was only me that thought that about the regulars being safe at night. So any other U.D.R. Veterans out there that have thought the same as I did well we were very much mistaken the regulars thought the same. Now at 72 with my gift that’s still giving every day PTSD from I was 22 is still making sure I’m on point with gifts. But that day I felt that it was all worth it to hear a Yeoman of the guard say what I thought for years and say thank you for your service. That brave man had a row of ribbons thanking me for my service. Big salute 🫡 to you sir. Buck private 9239 . I thank you also for this video sir. You just brought this one memory that helped me no end.
Jim, that's a lovely and touching story, thank you for sharing it. I'm glad my small Tribute to the UDR was enjoyed, I wish I could do you all real justice with a flashy edited video with music and pictures but I'm just not that clever. Thank you Jim for your Service in those terrible times in your Country. I was very proud to have served alongside some of you. ALL THE BEST BROTHER.
Thank you for your remembrance of the UDR/ RIR our son did 11 years with them his best mate in the unit 3UDR was murdered hit him very hard indeed, btw B specials knew their enemy too well and that is why they were disbanded after many republican protests ! Faugh a Ballagh
You are 100% correct. The B Specials knew their enemy extremely well, they knew their comings and goings. If an incident happened, the B Specials could have all roads shutdown and covered very quickly and I mean quickly. My Grandfather served in the B Specials. Thank you for your sons service. .
Was at Crowborough Camp must have been about 1990 I guess. There were some UDR guys there, and got chatting to them in the bar. They were really enthusiastic blokes, really keen to be there on whatever course they were doing. Respect those guys doing their job while living in the community. Got to be brave to do that. Good guys.
Thank you so much mate, I was in the 11th battalion and maybe rubbed shoulders with you. I respect you so much and thank you for the tribute.. I live in USA now and my friends here have said that the British army is small but bad ass. I take my hat off to you for your service in the British Army. Salute.
My Dad served in the UDR when we lived in Ballymena. Remember going with him to the Barracks to collect pay and such. St Patrick's Barracks RIR was right next door. Little did i know 😆
@@doctorpc4x4 We had a Kiwi Officer on exchange with us, early 90’s. Captain Noyes, we would have followed him to hell and back. Really one of the best officers I ever had. As Orderly Officer he’d bring the guys a tea and a cigarette and man their arcs for 5 minutes to enjoy the brew and feg. Wherever you are Boss I pray you’re well!
I served with the RIR’s in the Falkland Islands, where they were the Resident Infantry Company, great bunch of lads and I was fortunate enough to take part in one or two training exercises during their tour on the Islands. I shared a few yarns with them and quite a lot of swifty ones in the NAAFI Club 🍻
Good memories started in the Rangers 1st Battalion Germany, then joined 2 UDR in Armagh Drumadd Barracks then we became 2/11 and for a short time 6 if i remember right and then we became 8 RIR and i finished in 3 RIR 2007 before the Disbandment, and Spent the whole time stationed in Drumadd Barracks from the time i joined 2 UDR to the end we also had the highest loss of life for a UDR Battalion.
Perhaps a bit off topic to this video, but I wanted to share this. I began a job in the private sector where the manager of my department told me he was the head of a medical section in the Paras in NI. He seemed to have the banter and terminology to confirm his serving credentials. I'll call him JT. But he recalled stories of his reg going out and deliberately "slapping" Irish locals, with no intelligence, to justify their "mission" both for gathering intelligence but, as he put it, "for the pure fun of it". I was shocked but understood why ordinary, perhaps sometimes innocent, Irish people turned against the British. This is exactly what happened with the Americans in Vietnam. Feel free to pile on my guys.
When the UDR was formed, about 20% were Catholic, but they were very quickly targeted attacked and intimidated to leave by the IRA, and as they lived in the same areas as the IRA, they soon as some where murdered omand others homes and families attacked I think by the end it was about 2% Catholic members of the Regiment I served by served Catholic lads and would happily do so again
I had the privilege and proud to have served in the Ulster Defence Regiment from 1977 until the amalgamation them until 1999 a total of 22 amazing yrs with three of my family which 2 was part time and 2 was full time which was. Thanks for your comments
Great little Army with a very proud Heritage, we used to call Them in jest “You’ll Do Rightly” as an army cadet in Ulster, such a Regiment of Distinction and Bravery, thank you Keith for doing a Chat on them Faugh a ballah to each and every one of them, and to you sir , in this climate when your tabbing , keep an eye on your 5 and 20’s nice one Keith💂🏽♂️👍🇬🇧
When you said you done a little stint with 11 UDR were you attached to the battalion ? what year if you can remember it was awhile ago we might have rubbed shoulders
Thank you for that. Many of us didn't have PPW's, so it was a case of constantly trying to stay alert and looking over your shoulder and checking your vehicle etc. Initially I had to walk home in the early hours of the morning after duty, and had to pass by the fringes of Catholic/Nationalist/Republican areas. I was forever watching every vehicle that was coming along. Some of my mates/colleagues were murdered by Irish Republican Terrorists. Republicans would have you believe that we murdered Catholics, which is most certainly not true. Yes, like everywhere, there was a few - just a few - bad apples. The vast majority of us were there to protect everyone in Northern Ireland, from all terrorists. We also did stints of border patrols like Crossmaglen, Forkhill, Middletown... I still enjoyed it though and would do it all again. 10 UDR, Belfast, Girdwood.
Oh my goodness, it’s no wonder you we’re keeping your wits about you, walking home from Girdwood Barracks of all places. Thank you for serving and keeping us safe.
Genuinely Keith, I’m very touched that you have taken the time to give this fantastic history of my first Regiment. And for your description of how much the Greenfinches contributed. They were also our Signallers, Medics etc too. And they did this unarmed!!!! Very late 80’s (or very early 90’s) they got 9mm for personal protection on patrol. Very soon after they were issued L85a1’s like the rest of us. We definitely were used in Public Order particularly after amalgamation. When my French missus first came to NI and saw I carried a 9mm off duty, well you can imagine! The French Army have a pamphlet on IS Operations and is entirely based on the British Army one. The majority of UDR Soldiers were indeed killed off duty and many several years after retiring. The bad apples were a minority and the vast majority of folk I was proud to call my brothers and sisters in arms were decent people, want to ´protect border and state against terrorism’. 7/10 (City of Belfast) Battalion , The Ulster Defence Regiment. 7th Bn Royal Irish Regiment. 2nd Bn Royal Irish Regiment. Quis Seperabit ? Faugh a Ballagh! Wee Ian the Bugler (to anyone who knows me).
I felt I had to put some kind of small tribute up to highlight the UDR. Many people, not just overseas people, are not aware of the UDR are how much the contributed and sacrificed during OP Banner. Thank you. 🫡❤️
Good to see you are still doing the 'Walk', not enough though, I saw at least three people behind you today, and you never know, they could be extremists of some sort! I know your area is pretty safe but stay alert Soldier! (And I still think you are saying 'Subscribe!'
Actually you make a good point there. Early on in that video a small white van drove up slowly behind me, I had clocked them the passenger was watching me and looked a little suspicious. I'm on me toes still. Cheers 🫡👍
In this heat? No, just bits and bobs and then the rest of the weight is made up with water bottles to make a total of 10kg, not much weight I know but I'm old....and honest.
The army issued Walther PP in 22. If a soldier was under a heavy threat, they were issued a Browning 9mm or soldiers were able to buy their own pistols for personal protection if they chose to do so I walked behind to many coffins of friends and comrades murdered all of duty who didn't get the chance to defend themselves but it was the pistol was there it you ever got the chance to defend yourself X 7/10 then 7 R Irish
We're just forgotten about... Swept out of history.... The lads knew NI tactics inside out ...and the skills and drill were later taken on for Iraq and Afghan....wee fact check for ya ..our regiment was formed 1st April 1970 not 1st January....the full timers also lived in the community none of us lived on base
Thank you Brian and thanks for correcting me apologies for my mistake. Much respect. I wanted to pay a small tribute because as you say not much seems to be mentioned about the UDR 🫡❤️
Love your videos .. us that served in the British Forces either 1 day or full career we just get forgotten about .. especially in Northern Ireland we still have to be careful who knows about our service.... As Gerry Adams (oh I'm not and never have been an IRA leader) said ....we haven't gone away you know.
Love the video But a wee pointer In the later years very few of us part timers had any ppw or rifle I know personally both loyalist and Republicans had targeted me an I was turned down on 3 occasions for ppw . Just to say lots of us part timers were totally unprotected off duty
The lads in the UDR were very brave men, they had to live in civilian housing estates with no protection, us lot got to go home, they were home! Not to mention all they were armed with most of the time were old Lee Enfield 303s,
@@DigitalMan6627 lol, I was just trying to point out what a good job you lads were doing despite the underfunding that the armed forces were going through at the time, and I do remember lads from the UDR carrying SMLE's, I was carrying an SLR initially but then we were issued with the SA80, Will be honest I preferred the SLR for 'green Field's ' combat but i digress, so to sum up, im sorry if my comment offended you but i was only pointing out that you done a good job, a f*****g dangerous job that didn't get any safer when you clocked off and went home, and all that on a shoestring budget, i doff my hat to you men.
A great UDR history lesson there Keith. I was with a TA artillery regiment in the late 60's early 70's. We had the armoured Pig vehicles as command vehicles. It was decided that they would be better used in Northern Ireland, so we got Saracens to replace them. The funny thing is when the Saracens where delivered they were literally left in the middle of our drill hall. Come our 'drill' night our BSM suggested we push them out the way. No one knew how to drive them. I had previously served with another regiment and had held an AFV (class 3) addition to my driving licence, so I saved the lads from pushing tons of steel without the power steering working..... and got the job of quick teaching lessons.
If you need a deployment of 22 years you really have to question the Politics of it all 🤣, Glad an imperfect peace was achieved living through it was like a madhouse at times 🇬🇧
No, the emblem of the CGC is carried on the two Battalion Colours but individuals are not allowed to wear the ribbon. There was talk of allowing relevant personnel to wear a slightly different ribbon on their GSM 1962 medal but it never materialised. The RUC medal ribbon did change when they were awarded the George Cross.
My uncle served in the UDR. When my cousin was born, his mum was rushed to a hospital near the Falls Road Belfast. My uncle had three stars (red, white and blue) tattooed on his earlobe, which identified his as a member of the British army. He was given a Browning Hi Power as a PPW when he went off to meet his son for the first time. It was thought someone could potentially spot the stars on his ear, then pass the info on to local members of the IRA.
How many members and include those expelled before being charged, in murder and attempted murder , possession of kill lists , explosives and illegal weapons It is in the 100s . WHY DO YOU THINK THEY WERE QUIETLY DISBANDED..... Go and read a book.
Far more good was achieved by the regiment than harm done by the very very few rotten apples. The vast majority of members despised those who crossed the line and brought shame on themselves. Anyone who believes the regiment was riddled with loyalist paramilitaries and criminals has been listening and reading too much deliberate republican propaganda. Republicans conveniently forget that their IRA heroes murdered more Roman Catholics during the troubles thank all the rest of the protagonists put together. Yet they’d rather concentrate on the very few UDR soldiers who betrayed their oath of allegiance to the Queen. Far too much republican campaigning and lies succeeded in the merger, thus ended a fine and honourable body of men and women.
@@rabrice2311Eire has not existed since 1949. The arms crisis, caused the fall of the government, and it certainly was not policy to arm the IRA or any other paramilitary outfit. The Irish Army considered the IRA to be the single most significant threat to state security, and spent more time on counterterrorism than anything else.
ruclips.net/video/bqDxOxmZS8A/видео.htmlsi=M3yhXGQieaZZTQ4R Was ambushed off duty by IRA unit armed with assault rifles , fought them off killing one armed only with a walther 9mm pistol
Just watched your video as an ex UDR part timer with 18 yrs service in Belfast i commend your video and thank you for the praise you gave our regiment
Big respect from all OP Banner veterans to the UDR 🫡🇬🇧🪖
Hi, mate , I served 6yrs with 2 Para and then 18 years with the UDR couple of yrs part-time then after internment, I went full-time. We did not live in camp, we bought/rented our own accn! I retired not long before the UDR merged with the R.Irish
Jim, what a career you had mate, well done, big respect. 🫡🍻
Wow that is amazing. Thank you.
Well worded buddy and thanks for covering my Regiment …ex 6 UDR and 4 Royal Irish ….currently still serving with the PSNI as a custody officer 🫡🇬🇧
Thank you for your service and keeping us safe. I would loved to have been in the UDR but unfortunately got turned down for my hearing.
Big respect to you Sir.
@@Drivemap thanks 🫡
You are more than welcome. Thank you for your service with the UDR and now with the PSNI. All the best stay safe.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd thanks 🫡
My father was a member of the B specials before he met my mother. He said to me that he still had his MK 3 Lee Enfield rifle which was kept in the gun cabinet at his mother's house in Northern County Derry. He handed the Lee Enfield into the local RUC station after his mother passed away. He also handed in a Martini-Henry Rifle from the Boar War, a 410 shotgun and a 12-bore shotgun.
The UDR Soldier
As poppy petals gently fall,
Remember us who gave our all,
Not in the mud of foreign lands,
Not buried in the desert sands.
In Ulster field and farm and town,
Fermanagh’s lanes and drumlin’d Down,
We died that violent death should cease,
An Ulstermen should live in peace
We did not serve because we hate,
Nor bitterness our hearts dictate,
But we were they who must aspire,
To quench the flame of terror’s fire.
As buglers sound and pipers play
The proud Battalions march away.
Now may the weary violence cease,
And let our country live in peace.
By Maj. John Potter UD.
Never heard that before, thank you, very moving.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd
It is a touching poem.
Thanks
Beautiful, thank you for sharing.
@@Drivemap Thank you for commenting, genuinely. 🫡🇬🇧☘️
Ian
Read out at every monthly Regimental meeting, we're getting old but we haven't gone away
Ulster Protestants are great folks and they have one of the best cultures in the UK. They are the most patriotic too.
I agree 👍 💯
Royal Irish Soldier is still called a "Ranger" and the name Greenfinche name still lives on!
My greatest respect to all of the UDR, they were always in daily danger. They fought for the protection of their families and local communities
I am a former member of the 11th (Craigavon) Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment, I would like to thank you sir for your excellent, balanced and well presented history of my old regiment, I was particularly pleased to hear you say you spent time with my battalion in Mahon Barracks, Portadown. Quis Separabit.
Thank you and all the lads and lasses from your Regiment.
I remember the first time a drove to your Barracks and I saw there was a Crossbow Factory near by.
When I joined I enlisted into the 7th Battalion. We later merged with the 10th Battalion and became 7/10 Battalion.
Served with pride.
Wearing the uniform of the British army and serving alongside the regular army filled me so much with pride.
As you said there was a few bad apples within the regiment but the VAST majority of the U.D.R. soldiers were doing the job with devotion.
Thank you so very much for your video. Means so much to those who served in the regiment to hear the honest views from a "brother in arms" from England.
🫡🪖🇬🇧👍
Thanks for this tribute mate. I served with the UDR in Fermanagh and Tyrone.
Thank you Rob, all the best mate, you guys did so well on Op Banner and are too often overlooked.
I was a member of the UDR great regiment and thought to myself that we were out on the streets at night and the regular soldiers got to sleep in a guarded barracks safe but we went home and were defenceless other than my shotgun. One day I took a trip to London to the tower were I met a yeoman of the guard he had a line if ribbons on his chest I caught sight of the NI ribbon at the end as we chatted about motorcycles I said to him that’s an interesting ribbon at the end what’s that for he looked at me and said that’s the exact same as the one you have sir ! I was not only touched but astonished he knew I had the same one. He said to me you know we served there alongside you guys but at night we went to our barracks and had guards looking out for us so we were safe. You lads went home and were at risk 24-7. You could have knocked me down with a feather I got quite emotional that’s hard to admit but held it in when I left I said thank you sir for your service and to my surprise he said thank you for yours sir . I thought it was only me that thought that about the regulars being safe at night. So any other U.D.R. Veterans out there that have thought the same as I did well we were very much mistaken the regulars thought the same. Now at 72 with my gift that’s still giving every day PTSD from I was 22 is still making sure I’m on point with gifts. But that day I felt that it was all worth it to hear a Yeoman of the guard say what I thought for years and say thank you for your service. That brave man had a row of ribbons thanking me for my service. Big salute 🫡 to you sir. Buck private 9239 . I thank you also for this video sir. You just brought this one memory that helped me no end.
Jim, that's a lovely and touching story, thank you for sharing it. I'm glad my small Tribute to the UDR was enjoyed, I wish I could do you all real justice with a flashy edited video with music and pictures but I'm just not that clever. Thank you Jim for your Service in those terrible times in your Country. I was very proud to have served alongside some of you. ALL THE BEST BROTHER.
Superb video really enjoyed it. My Auntie was a greenfinch in the UDR for 3 years, you brought back memories of those days.
Great video again Keith, hope you are keeping well.
Thanks John, all good here. Thanks for your support.
Great video! Thanks for doing that!
Thank you for your remembrance of the UDR/ RIR our son did 11 years with them his best mate in the unit 3UDR was murdered hit him very hard indeed, btw B specials knew their enemy too well and that is why they were disbanded after many republican protests ! Faugh a Ballagh
You are 100% correct. The B Specials knew their enemy extremely well, they knew their comings and goings.
If an incident happened, the B Specials could have all roads shutdown and covered very quickly and I mean quickly.
My Grandfather served in the B Specials.
Thank you for your sons service. .
Was at Crowborough Camp must have been about 1990 I guess. There were some UDR guys there, and got chatting to them in the bar. They were really enthusiastic blokes, really keen to be there on whatever course they were doing. Respect those guys doing their job while living in the community. Got to be brave to do that. Good guys.
Thank you so much mate, I was in the 11th battalion and maybe rubbed shoulders with you. I respect you so much and thank you for the tribute.. I live in USA now and my friends here have said that the British army is small but bad ass. I take my hat off to you for your service in the British Army. Salute.
Great bunch of lads at Portadown, had a few good nights in the Bar with you lot....crazy, but very professional out on the ground.
Eddie Lindsay E coy
I was in 21 platoon
My Dad served in the UDR when we lived in Ballymena. Remember going with him to the Barracks to collect pay and such. St Patrick's Barracks RIR was right next door. Little did i know 😆
That was Lowfield Camp. It became the HQ of 107 (Ulster) Brigade in 1987 which was the TA Brigade in Northern Ireland.
Being from NZ I hadn;t heard of the UDR. Interesting bit of history
@@doctorpc4x4 We had a Kiwi Officer on exchange with us, early 90’s. Captain Noyes, we would have followed him to hell and back.
Really one of the best officers I ever had.
As Orderly Officer he’d bring the guys a tea and a cigarette and man their arcs for 5 minutes to enjoy the brew and feg.
Wherever you are Boss I pray you’re well!
Now that what I call proper Man Management, a really good example of a really good Officer.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd Genuinely a top Officer👍🏼
Thank you
🫡
I learned a good bit. Thank you Keith!
Thankyou for the acknowledgement." Faugh A Ballagh"
Thank you for your service 🫡
Great video sir thanks 🎉🎉
My Mum was UDR during the 80s in Omagh.
🫡❤️
@@markmyers5582 A brave woman, a heroine. She served unarmed in the face of danger.
She has 100% of my respect 🫡🇬🇧☘️
I served with the RIR’s in the Falkland Islands, where they were the Resident Infantry Company, great bunch of lads and I was fortunate enough
to take part in one or two training exercises during their tour on the Islands.
I shared a few yarns with them and quite a lot of swifty ones in the NAAFI Club 🍻
Good memories started in the Rangers
1st Battalion Germany, then joined 2 UDR in Armagh Drumadd Barracks then we became 2/11 and for a short time 6 if i remember right and then we became 8 RIR and i finished in 3 RIR 2007 before the Disbandment, and Spent the whole time stationed in Drumadd Barracks from the time i joined 2 UDR to the end
we also had the highest loss of life
for a UDR Battalion.
Respect Brother
Ex 1/9 UDR then 9 R Irish here .. from England, went across the water and joined at 18 in 1991.
Nice one mate, well done and all the best 👍
Good video thanks
Thank you sir, some great comrades some great memories though some sad one's too, regards from an old former 1 UDR member
Thank you for your service 🪖🫡
Hi Keith, Thanks for the history of the UDR, brave people who served through challenging times. Good wishes to you and Tracer.
I've met loads of Irish (North&South) throughout my many, many years on this planet - never met a bad one yet. To me, that speaks oceans Keith...
I second that Martin thank you
I take it you never served in the Army, in N.I.!!!🤔 Martinthehun59 !!
@@northwalesmod No, never. The Irish I've met were either work or social surroundings.
@@Martinthehun59 Not the ones that killed 100s of British Soldiers!!
Perhaps a bit off topic to this video, but I wanted to share this. I began a job in the private sector where the manager of my department told me he was the head of a medical section in the Paras in NI. He seemed to have the banter and terminology to confirm his serving credentials. I'll call him JT. But he recalled stories of his reg going out and deliberately "slapping" Irish locals, with no intelligence, to justify their "mission" both for gathering intelligence but, as he put it, "for the pure fun of it". I was shocked but understood why ordinary, perhaps sometimes innocent, Irish people turned against the British. This is exactly what happened with the Americans in Vietnam. Feel free to pile on my guys.
Well done Keith, you’re doing the rounds of the Regimental Facebook pages 👍🏼
Wow, I didn't know as I don't have Facebook
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd Better off mucker, for me it’s just for keeping up with the auld hands 👍🏼
Lovely house and garden sergeant major. Keep tabbing.
Thank you Ben 👍
All very brave men. Thankyou
Fantastic, a fine tribute to a brave bunch of guys & girls...many thanks
Many thanks!
When the UDR was formed, about 20% were Catholic, but they were very quickly targeted attacked and intimidated to leave by the IRA, and as they lived in the same areas as the IRA, they soon as some where murdered omand others homes and families attacked I think by the end it was about 2% Catholic members of the Regiment I served by served Catholic lads and would happily do so again
Both my mother and father served in the UDR.
Thank you for your service and for keeping us safe.
Fantastic tribute Keith worked with a few RUC lads utmost respect
Hi Keith during my time in NI the UDR was very good to have on hand I Hope you and Tracer round are OK
👍❤
Good video thanks 🎉🎉🎉
Great tribute Keith ,brave men and women 👏👏 tab on 👍
🫡👍
I had the privilege and proud to have served in the Ulster Defence Regiment from 1977 until the amalgamation them until 1999 a total of 22 amazing yrs with three of my family which 2 was part time and 2 was full time which was. Thanks for your comments
Thank you for your support and for your service during OP BANNER
Great little Army with a very proud Heritage, we used to call Them in jest “You’ll Do Rightly” as an army cadet in Ulster, such a Regiment of Distinction and Bravery, thank you Keith for doing a Chat on them Faugh a ballah to each and every one of them, and to you sir , in this climate when your tabbing , keep an eye on your 5 and 20’s nice one Keith💂🏽♂️👍🇬🇧
When you said you done a little stint with 11 UDR were you attached to the battalion ? what year if you can remember it was awhile ago we might have rubbed shoulders
It was Portadown 1984
Thank you for that.
Many of us didn't have PPW's, so it was a case of constantly trying to stay alert and looking over your shoulder and checking your vehicle etc.
Initially I had to walk home in the early hours of the morning after duty, and had to pass by the fringes of Catholic/Nationalist/Republican areas. I was forever watching every vehicle that was coming along.
Some of my mates/colleagues were murdered by Irish Republican Terrorists.
Republicans would have you believe that we murdered Catholics, which is most certainly not true. Yes, like everywhere, there was a few - just a few - bad apples. The vast majority of us were there to protect everyone in Northern Ireland, from all terrorists.
We also did stints of border patrols like Crossmaglen, Forkhill, Middletown...
I still enjoyed it though and would do it all again. 10 UDR, Belfast, Girdwood.
Oh my goodness, it’s no wonder you we’re keeping your wits about you, walking home from Girdwood Barracks of all places.
Thank you for serving and keeping us safe.
Great respect to you and all your lads and lasses. Well done out there, you served the Nation well, with distinction, courage and integrity .
Let's TAB 59 a other brilliant video keep them coming mate .
Thanks 👍
Genuinely Keith, I’m very touched that you have taken the time to give this fantastic history of my first Regiment.
And for your description of how much the Greenfinches contributed.
They were also our Signallers, Medics etc too.
And they did this unarmed!!!!
Very late 80’s (or very early 90’s) they got 9mm for personal protection on patrol. Very soon after they were issued L85a1’s like the rest of us.
We definitely were used in Public Order particularly after amalgamation.
When my French missus first came to NI and saw I carried a 9mm off duty, well you can imagine!
The French Army have a pamphlet on IS Operations and is entirely based on the British Army one.
The majority of UDR Soldiers were indeed killed off duty and many several years after retiring.
The bad apples were a minority and the vast majority of folk I was proud to call my brothers and sisters in arms were decent people, want to ´protect border and state against terrorism’.
7/10 (City of Belfast) Battalion ,
The Ulster Defence Regiment.
7th Bn Royal Irish Regiment.
2nd Bn Royal Irish Regiment.
Quis Seperabit ?
Faugh a Ballagh!
Wee Ian the Bugler
(to anyone who knows me).
I felt I had to put some kind of small tribute up to highlight the UDR. Many people, not just overseas people, are not aware of the UDR are how much the contributed and sacrificed during OP Banner.
Thank you. 🫡❤️
Good to see you are still doing the 'Walk', not enough though, I saw at least three people behind you today, and you never know, they could be extremists of some sort! I know your area is pretty safe but stay alert Soldier! (And I still think you are saying 'Subscribe!'
Actually you make a good point there. Early on in that video a small white van drove up slowly behind me, I had clocked them the passenger was watching me and looked a little suspicious. I'm on me toes still. Cheers 🫡👍
You could get into the UDR bars for a pint. Some nights they would have a good sing song.
Keith what’s in your patrol pack ? Mars bars ? 😂
In this heat? No, just bits and bobs and then the rest of the weight is made up with water bottles to make a total of 10kg, not much weight I know but I'm old....and honest.
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd You’re doing well. Keep up the great work. Let’s Tab.
Bless all veterans. We're here because they served.
Exactly 💯 thank you 🫡
Did the UDR carry a .22 chambered side arm for home defence ?
I have a feeling they were issued with Walther PPKs? Not 100% sure.
The army issued Walther PP in 22. If a soldier was under a heavy threat, they were issued a Browning 9mm or soldiers were able to buy their own pistols for personal protection if they chose to do so I walked behind to many coffins of friends and comrades murdered all of duty who didn't get the chance to defend themselves but it was the pistol was there it you ever got the chance to defend yourself X 7/10 then 7 R Irish
They were allowed to buy their own also. My father-in-law had a Beretta.
@@davidthefirst6195 👍
@@davidthefirst6195Same brother, I was Malone.
Ian
Mate mate mate, please keep tabbing 😊
Cheers Richard, we'll go for as long as we can. Thank you for your support 👍🫡
We're just forgotten about... Swept out of history.... The lads knew NI tactics inside out ...and the skills and drill were later taken on for Iraq and Afghan....wee fact check for ya ..our regiment was formed 1st April 1970 not 1st January....the full timers also lived in the community none of us lived on base
Thank you Brian and thanks for correcting me apologies for my mistake. Much respect.
I wanted to pay a small tribute because as you say not much seems to be mentioned about the UDR
🫡❤️
Love your videos .. us that served in the British Forces either 1 day or full career we just get forgotten about .. especially in Northern Ireland we still have to be careful who knows about our service.... As Gerry Adams (oh I'm not and never have been an IRA leader) said ....we haven't gone away you know.
@@brianboruvll4704 You are 100% correct. 👍
Love the video
But a wee pointer
In the later years very few of us part timers had any ppw or rifle
I know personally both loyalist and Republicans had targeted me an I was turned down on 3 occasions for ppw .
Just to say lots of us part timers were totally unprotected off duty
Special Branch ? British coppers in NI ?
As part of the UK, the RUC was a British Police force, albeit armed. They has their own Special Branch the same as forces on the mainland.
The lads in the UDR were very brave men, they had to live in civilian housing estates with no protection, us lot got to go home, they were home!
Not to mention all they were armed with most of the time were old Lee Enfield 303s,
Apart from the time when we had SLR’s & then SA80’s
@@DigitalMan6627 lol, I was just trying to point out what a good job you lads were doing despite the underfunding that the armed forces were going through at the time, and I do remember lads from the UDR carrying SMLE's, I was carrying an SLR initially but then we were issued with the SA80, Will be honest I preferred the SLR for 'green Field's ' combat but i digress, so to sum up, im sorry if my comment offended you but i was only pointing out that you done a good job, a f*****g dangerous job that didn't get any safer when you clocked off and went home, and all that on a shoestring budget, i doff my hat to you men.
@@Screwball70 no offence mate,preferred the SLR myself,I have a tendency to jump in to the UDR’s defence 👍
Mate that white van looked iFFY as fuck🤔👍🇬🇧
I know, and the two guys in it really scoped me
@@LetsTab59-bd4fd 5-20s young squirrel 🫡🇬🇧
Thank you.
🫡👍🙏💯
A great UDR history lesson there Keith. I was with a TA artillery regiment in the late 60's early 70's. We had the armoured Pig vehicles as command vehicles. It was decided that they would be better used in Northern Ireland, so we got Saracens to replace them.
The funny thing is when the Saracens where delivered they were literally left in the middle of our drill hall. Come our 'drill' night our BSM suggested we push them out the way. No one knew how to drive them.
I had previously served with another regiment and had held an AFV (class 3) addition to my driving licence, so I saved the lads from pushing tons of steel without the power steering working..... and got the job of quick teaching lessons.
7UDR CGC ☘️ Palace Barracks
🫡🙏
If you need a deployment of 22 years you really have to question the Politics of it all 🤣, Glad an imperfect peace was achieved living through it was like a madhouse at times 🇬🇧
Does that mean everyone in the regiment is entitled to wear the cgm ribbon ?
Of course mate. Still British Army after all
No they aren’t it’s the regiment that got it and it is sewn into the regimental colours also.
@@DMAC1966 👍
No, the emblem of the CGC is carried on the two Battalion Colours but individuals are not allowed to wear the ribbon.
There was talk of allowing relevant personnel to wear a slightly different ribbon on their GSM 1962 medal but it never materialised.
The RUC medal ribbon did change when they were awarded the George Cross.
👍
Make Ireland Irish ☘️
It's never been anything else! 😮
My uncle served in the UDR. When my cousin was born, his mum was rushed to a hospital near the Falls Road Belfast. My uncle had three stars (red, white and blue) tattooed on his earlobe, which identified his as a member of the British army. He was given a Browning Hi Power as a PPW when he went off to meet his son for the first time. It was thought someone could potentially spot the stars on his ear, then pass the info on to local members of the IRA.
How many members and include those expelled before being charged, in murder and attempted murder , possession of kill lists , explosives and illegal weapons It is in the 100s . WHY DO YOU THINK THEY WERE QUIETLY DISBANDED..... Go and read a book.
Yes I welcome any book recommendations
I know who they are.
I respect you sir
But I believe Provo Irish
Thank you and respect back Sir.
Feeding weapons and intel to loyalists. Offering heads on plates . Glenanne gang etc. animals
Far more good was achieved by the regiment than harm done by the very very few rotten apples. The vast majority of members despised those who crossed the line and brought shame on themselves. Anyone who believes the regiment was riddled with loyalist paramilitaries and criminals has been listening and reading too much deliberate republican propaganda.
Republicans conveniently forget that their IRA heroes murdered more Roman Catholics during the troubles thank all the rest of the protagonists put together. Yet they’d rather concentrate on the very few UDR soldiers who betrayed their oath of allegiance to the Queen. Far too much republican campaigning and lies succeeded in the merger, thus ended a fine and honourable body of men and women.
There was very, very few who did that. But you could always mention the Eire Government and their involvement with IRA Terrorists.
@@garydeane9783 bore off
@@rabrice2311Eire has not existed since 1949. The arms crisis, caused the fall of the government, and it certainly was not policy to arm the IRA or any other paramilitary outfit. The Irish Army considered the IRA to be the single most significant threat to state security, and spent more time on counterterrorism than anything else.
your talking crap
Thank you for commenting
ruclips.net/video/bqDxOxmZS8A/видео.htmlsi=M3yhXGQieaZZTQ4R Was ambushed off duty by IRA unit armed with assault rifles , fought them off killing one armed only with a walther 9mm pistol
I've watched the video. Your a very brave man and a typical example of the courage shown by so many UDR Soldiers. 🫡🇬🇧