The Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) was an infantry regiment of the British Army. Formed in 1970, it was designed to replace the B Specials of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the security of Northern Ireland. 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. The full time element of the regiment eventually expanded to encompass half the total personnel. The UDR was also the first regiment in the British Army to fully integrate women into its structure, when the so called Greenfinches took over clerical and signals duties, which allowed male members of the regiment to return to patrol duties. The regiment was reduced to first nine battalions in 1984, then to seven in 1991 through amalgamations, before being amalgamated as a whole with the Royal Irish Rangers in 1992 to form the Royal Irish Regiment.

Between the 1st April 1970 and 30th June 1992, a total of 197 members of the UDR were killed as a result of terrorists during the Troubles.

Battalions

• 1st (County Antrim) Battalion [1970-1984]
• 1st/9th (County Antrim) Battalion [1984-1992]
• 2nd (County Armagh) Battalion [1970-1991]
• 2nd/11th (Craigavon) Battalion [1991-1992]
• 3rd (County Down) Battalion [1970-1992]
• 4th (County Fermanagh) Battalion [1970-1991]
• 4th/6th (County Fermanagh and County Tyrone) Battalion [1991-1992]
• 5th (County Londonderry) Battalion [1970-1992]
• 6th (County Tyrone) Battalion [1970-1991]
• 7th (City of Belfast) Battalion [1970-1984]
• 7th/10th (City of Belfast) Battalion [1984-1992]
• 8th (County Tyrone) Battalion [1971-1992]
• 9th (Country Antrim) Battalion [1972-1984]
• 10th (City of Belfast) Battalion [1972-1984]
• 11th (Craigavon) Battalion [1972-1991]

External links

• Ulster Defence Regiment