The Veteran Issue 7

Greenfinches
In 1973, the regiment began to recruit women for
clerical, radio and telephone roles to free up men for
patrol duties. They became known as 'Greenfinches' and,
although unarmed, were fully integrated into the unit
from the start. This was in contrast to the personnel of
the Women’s Royal Army Corps, who only merged into
the British Army in 1992.
Over 190 UDR
soldiers were killed
on active service
UDR Cap Badge
Structure
The unit was initially formed with
seven battalions, the highest
number for a single regiment in the
British Army at that time.
Four more had been added by 1972. In 1976, it ceased to be solely a part-time unit, when
it was given a cadre of full-time troops. Later, these expanded to make up half the force.
Its 11 battalions were reduced to nine in 1984, and then seven in 1991.
A soldier of the Black Watch
changes headgear with a UDR
Greenfinch
Collusion
Loyalist paramilitaries attempted to infiltrate the UDR and
several members of the regiment were involved in sectarian
crimes. Other soldiers were expelled for supplying weapons to
Loyalists or for being members of paramilitary organisations.
Alongside its largely Protestant make-up, such incidents
meant the UDR was distrusted by many in the nationalist
community. However, while the regiment came under
sustained criticism in the press and from politicians, the vast
majority of its soldiers served with honour and upheld the
law.
Legacy
In 1992, the UDR merged with The Royal Irish Rangers to
form The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling), 83rd and
87th and the Ulster Defence Regiment), becoming the new
unit's Home Service battalions.
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