11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 11th Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment
was formed from companies of the 2nd Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
and the 3rd Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
in 1972. In 1991 under the reductions planned in Options for Change
by the British Army, it again amalgamated with 2 UDR to form the 2nd/11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
.
The new battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
Robin Chappell, who had been the original commander of the neighbouring 2 UDR and was the only regular officer ever to command two separate UDR battalions.
In 1990 11 UDR was reported as having 772 members who patrolled an area of 1,500 square kilometres.
From formation battalion HQ was based at "Fort Mahon", a new purpose built UDR base on the Mahon Road, Portadown
beside the historic Mahon House. Assuming command and expanding platoons and companies once part of the Armagh
based 2 UDR in Lurgan, Portadown and Tandragee and also the Banbridge Company of 3 UDR. Fort Mahon later became known as Mahon Barracks.
The accommodation at the barracks consisted of:
In 1974 HQNI re-established 3rd Infantry Brigadeat Lurgan but subsequently moved it to Mahon Barracks where it included, along with Brigade Staff, 174 (Provost) Company, Royal Military Police
. It was joined later by a roulemont
unit from the regular army unit at the Maze
prison, G Squadron 22 SAS Regiment and elements of the Royal Ulster Constabulary
(RUC) including the HQ and Divisional Mobile Support Units
. The brigade was again moved to Drumadd Barracks in 1988 during a restructuring of land forces in Northern Ireland.
This required expansion and extra facilities. Added to the existing UDR infrastructure were:
team at Loughgall
RUC Barracks in 1987.
. Other regular soldiers on attachment included the adjutant
(a major
), a Training Major and permanent staff instructors. The Quartermaster
's stores were also part of this company as were the core services of the battalion which, although modified slightly on expansion, generally consisted of operational organisation, vehicles, radio services, catering and pay.
- an experimental permanent cadre platoon formed after Ulsterisation
which carried out the same duties as the regular army. Selected from the youngest and fittest soldiers with Commanders and NCO's who had, where possible, previous military experience. The commander was a Scottish WO2 who had 22 years experience with the Royal Highland Fusiliers
, fighting in colonial conflicts during the disestablishment of empire. His second in command was a Colour Sergeant
who had fought in the Congo Crisis
and in Cyprus
. Main duties were to quickly seal off the A1 Belfast - Dublin dual carriageway and to act as Quick Reaction Force (QRF) for 3 Infantry Brigade and RUC J Division. As the number of permanent cadre soldiers grew a new full time company was formed at Portadown and the Operations Platoon was integrated into it taking the designation A Company.
.
(3 UDR were responsible for Rathfriland town)
Both part-time and full time companies of 11 UDR took over operational responsibility in other areas to relieve the pressure on border battalions who had taken heavy casualties, particularly 2 UDR
. Part-time soldiers deployed for a weekend but the full time Operations Platoon (later A Company) and elements of HQ Company Conrate Guard deployed for up to two weeks at a time. Some of these detachments were at:
As well as manning permanent vehicle checkpoints (PVCPs) at these location the 11 UDR Platoons also engaged in urban and rural patrol work with the full time soldiers taking part in searches, observation activities and denial of territory to the enemy.
Ulster Defence Regiment
The Ulster Defence Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army which became operational in 1970, formed on similar lines to other British reserve forces but with the operational role of defence of life or property in Northern Ireland against armed attack or sabotage...
was formed from companies of the 2nd Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
2nd Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
2nd Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment was amalgamated in 1991 with the 11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment to form the 2nd/11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment....
and the 3rd Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
3rd Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
The 3rd Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment was formed in 1970 as part of the 7 original battalions. It was, along with the rest of the regiment, subsumed into the Royal Irish Rangers in 1992 to form the Royal Irish Regiment....
in 1972. In 1991 under the reductions planned in Options for Change
Options for Change
Options for Change was a restructuring of the British Armed Forces in 1990, aimed at cutting defence spending following the end of the Cold War....
by the British Army, it again amalgamated with 2 UDR to form the 2nd/11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
2nd/11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
The 2nd//11th Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment was formed in 1991 as a result of an amalgamation between the 2nd Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment and the 11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment. The resultant 2/11 UDR was subsumed into the Royal Irish Rangers in 1992 as part of the Options for...
.
Formation
The battalion was formed in 1972 after an announcement by Major General Robert Ford, Commander Land Forces in Northern Ireland (CLFNI). The raising of the new and final battalion of the UDR brought operational strength up to 9,000 men, making the regiment not only the youngest, but largest infantry battalion in the British Army.The new battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Robin Chappell, who had been the original commander of the neighbouring 2 UDR and was the only regular officer ever to command two separate UDR battalions.
In 1990 11 UDR was reported as having 772 members who patrolled an area of 1,500 square kilometres.
Mahon Barracks
Portadown
Portadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town sits on the River Bann in the north of the county, about 23 miles south-west of Belfast...
beside the historic Mahon House. Assuming command and expanding platoons and companies once part of the Armagh
Armagh
Armagh is a large settlement in Northern Ireland, and the county town of County Armagh. It is a site of historical importance for both Celtic paganism and Christianity and is the seat, for both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, of the Archbishop of Armagh...
based 2 UDR in Lurgan, Portadown and Tandragee and also the Banbridge Company of 3 UDR. Fort Mahon later became known as Mahon Barracks.
The accommodation at the barracks consisted of:
- Guardroom/Reception area with kitchen and sleeping accommodation for on-duty personnel
- Armouries & changing facilities for two part-time companies
- Indoor target range
- Drill Hall/Gymnasium
- Junior Ranks, WO's & Sgts and Officers Messes
- Administrative offices
- Communications centre/Operations Room
- Equipment Stores
- Motor Transport (MT) garages, service and parking areas
- 30 metre outdoor range
- 30 metre "pipe" range
- Helicopter pad
In 1974 HQNI re-established 3rd Infantry Brigadeat Lurgan but subsequently moved it to Mahon Barracks where it included, along with Brigade Staff, 174 (Provost) Company, Royal Military Police
Royal Military Police
The Royal Military Police is the corps of the British Army responsible for the policing of service personnel, and for providing a military police presence both in the UK, and whilst service personnel are deployed overseas on operations and exercises.Members of the RMP are generally known as...
. It was joined later by a roulemont
Roulement
Roulement is a term used by the British Army to signify major combat units that are deployed on short tours of duty, normally for 6-months duration....
unit from the regular army unit at the Maze
Maze (HM Prison)
Her Majesty's Prison Maze was a prison in Northern Ireland that was used to house paramilitary prisoners during the Troubles from mid-1971 to mid-2000....
prison, G Squadron 22 SAS Regiment and elements of the Royal Ulster Constabulary
Royal Ulster Constabulary
The Royal Ulster Constabulary was the name of the police force in Northern Ireland from 1922 to 2000. Following the awarding of the George Cross in 2000, it was subsequently known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC. It was founded on 1 June 1922 out of the Royal Irish Constabulary...
(RUC) including the HQ and Divisional Mobile Support Units
Headquarters Mobile Support Unit
The Headquarters Mobile Support Unit was a detachment of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, now re-named the Police Service of Northern Ireland .-Background:...
. The brigade was again moved to Drumadd Barracks in 1988 during a restructuring of land forces in Northern Ireland.
This required expansion and extra facilities. Added to the existing UDR infrastructure were:
- Brigade administration buildings.
- Regular army administration buildings for a single battery/company/squadron (Portakabin structures).
- Accommodation for regular soldiers (Portakabin structures).
- Soldier's NAAFI canteen.
- A prefabricated "English-style" pub called the "Black Swan", referred to universally as a "Plastic" or "Placcy" pub - seen in most major barracks in Northern Ireland.
- Squash Courts.
- Extra MT facilities for police and army.
- Self contained, secure compound for the SAS.
- Cookhouses - one for the army and UDR where food was served 24 hours a day at no cost and the RUC subsidised cafeteria where meals, generally of better quality, could be purchased for a small sum
- Char Wallah this throwback to the days of empire allowed for the establishment of a small cafeteria style building staffed by IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n nationals providing tea (char), burgers and a small selection of toiletries. This establishment was usually referred to in Indian Army parlance as a "Choggie" shop. - Married quarters - initially the barracks was served by estates of married quarters in the Craigavon are with regular army officers quartered at Bocombra on the outskirts of Portadown. Through time these were run down as the UDR and police acquired primacy in the area but new quarters were built as part of the Mahon complex.
Disposal
In 2008 127 army married quarter houses adjacent to Mahon Barracks were bought and renovated by a private developer and are now being offered for sale as "low cost" housing.SAS
Mahon Barracks was also the Headquarters of G Squadron, 22 SAS Regiment and was the centre of many of their operations in Northern Ireland including the interception of a Provisional Irish Republican ArmyProvisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
team at Loughgall
Loughgall
Loughgall is a small village and townland in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 285 people.Loughgall was named after a small nearby loch. The village is at the heart of the apple-growing industry and is surrounded by orchards. Along the village's main street...
RUC Barracks in 1987.
Companies
HQ Company
Mahon Barracks, Portadown. - a mixture of regular army and permanent cadre/part-time administration staff, instructors, watchkeepers, mechanics and a guard force of Conrate soldiers. The commander was the battalion commander who was a regular Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
. Other regular soldiers on attachment included the adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
(a major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
), a Training Major and permanent staff instructors. The Quartermaster
Quartermaster
Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations depending on if the assigned unit is land based or naval.In land armies, especially US units, it is a term referring to either an individual soldier or a unit who specializes in distributing supplies and provisions to troops. The senior...
's stores were also part of this company as were the core services of the battalion which, although modified slightly on expansion, generally consisted of operational organisation, vehicles, radio services, catering and pay.
HQ Company (Operations Platoon)
Scarva Road Barracks, BanbridgeBanbridge
Banbridge is a town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It lies on the River Bann and the A1 road. It was named after a bridge built over the Bann in 1712. The town grew as a coaching stop on the road from Belfast to Dublin and thrived from Irish linen manufacturing...
- an experimental permanent cadre platoon formed after Ulsterisation
Ulsterisation
Ulsterisation refers to one part 'primacy of the police' of a three part strategy by the British Government to pacify Northern Ireland during the conflict known as The Troubles...
which carried out the same duties as the regular army. Selected from the youngest and fittest soldiers with Commanders and NCO's who had, where possible, previous military experience. The commander was a Scottish WO2 who had 22 years experience with the Royal Highland Fusiliers
Royal Highland Fusiliers
The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland....
, fighting in colonial conflicts during the disestablishment of empire. His second in command was a Colour Sergeant
Colour Sergeant
Colour sergeant or colour serjeant is a non-commissioned title in the Royal Marines and infantry regiments of the British Army, ranking above sergeant and below warrant officer class 2....
who had fought in the Congo Crisis
Congo Crisis
The Congo Crisis was a period of turmoil in the First Republic of the Congo that began with national independence from Belgium and ended with the seizing of power by Joseph Mobutu...
and in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. Main duties were to quickly seal off the A1 Belfast - Dublin dual carriageway and to act as Quick Reaction Force (QRF) for 3 Infantry Brigade and RUC J Division. As the number of permanent cadre soldiers grew a new full time company was formed at Portadown and the Operations Platoon was integrated into it taking the designation A Company.
A Coy (Tandragee)
Based at Mahon Barracks - a part time company. Later renamed B Company. Drawn from men (and later women) from the village of Tandragee and surrounding area this company came on duty at 7pm on weekdays and all day on weekends. In addition to patrolling their own villages and rural areas they were also responsible for the relief of the regular army on the permanent guard post at Tandragee Power Station.B Coy
(Dromore) was never formed but the designation was later given to A (Tandragee) Coy when the full time rifle company was established at Portadown from the Operations Platoon.C Coy (Lurgan)
Kitchen Hill Barracks, Lurgan. - a part-time company with a small permanent cadre staff who ran the UDR centre within the regular army's barracks. This company was responsible for patrolling the town of Lurgan and its surrounding villages and rural areas.D Coy (Banbridge)
Scarva Road Barracks, Banbridge - a part-time company with a small permanent cadre staff who administered and guarded the barracks. Drawing its recruits from Banbridge, Dromore and surrounding rural villages and areas the company also patrolled these areas and provided extra checkpoints on the A1 dual carriageway.E Coy (Portadown)
A part-time company with a small nucleus of permanent cadre administrative staff drawn from the market town of Portadown and its surrounding villages and rural areas. The company provided patrols in the town and surrounding areas as well as the night guard on the telephone exchange at Edenderry.F Coy (Lisburn)
After the amalgamation of 1 and 9 UDR in 1984 - a part time company with a small nucleus of permanent cadre administration staff who ran the company offices and facilities within Thiepval Barracks. Recruiting from Lisburn and surrounding areas it too had a mixed patrol area of towns and villages but by its location also patrolled areas of south BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
.
Area of responsibility
RUC J Division - taking in the sub-divisions of:- MAHON ROAD: Divisional Command and barracks in Portadown Subdivision.
- PORTADOWN: Subdivisional Command.
- LURGAN: Subdivisional Command.
- MOIRA: Barracks in Lurgan Subdivision.
- CRAIGAVON: Barracks in Lurgan Subdivision.
- BANBRIDGE: Subdivisional Command.
- DROMORE: Barracks in Banbridge Subdivision.
- DROMARA: Barracks in Banbridge Subdivision.
- GILFORD: Barracks in Banbndge Subdivision.
- RATHFRILAND: Barracks in Banbridge Subdivision.*
(3 UDR were responsible for Rathfriland town)
Both part-time and full time companies of 11 UDR took over operational responsibility in other areas to relieve the pressure on border battalions who had taken heavy casualties, particularly 2 UDR
2nd Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment
2nd Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment was amalgamated in 1991 with the 11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment to form the 2nd/11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment....
. Part-time soldiers deployed for a weekend but the full time Operations Platoon (later A Company) and elements of HQ Company Conrate Guard deployed for up to two weeks at a time. Some of these detachments were at:
- BessbrookBessbrookBessbrook is a village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It lies about three miles northwest of Newry and close to the main Dublin–Belfast road and rail line...
- NewtownhamiltonNewtownhamiltonNewtownhamilton is a small village in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It is within the townland of Tullyvallan and the barony of Upper Fews. It is part of the Newry and Mourne District Council area...
- CaledonCaledon, County TyroneCaledon , historically known as Kinnaird , is a small village and townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is in the Clogher Valley on the banks of the River Blackwater, 7 miles from Armagh. It lies in the southeast of Tyrone and near the borders of County Armagh and County Monaghan. In the...
- KeadyKeadyKeady is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It is situated south of Armagh city and very close to the border with the Republic of Ireland. The town had a population of 2,960 people in the 2001 Census....
- MiddletownMiddletown, County ArmaghMiddletown is a small village and townland in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It lies two miles from Tynan and close to the border with County Monaghan. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 240 people...
- OmeathOmeathOmeath is a village on the R173 regional road in County Louth, Ireland, close to the border with Northern Ireland. It is roughly mid way between Dublin and Belfast, very near the County Louth and County Armagh / County Down border. Omeath has a population of 439, and is approximately from...
As well as manning permanent vehicle checkpoints (PVCPs) at these location the 11 UDR Platoons also engaged in urban and rural patrol work with the full time soldiers taking part in searches, observation activities and denial of territory to the enemy.
Casualties
The battalion lost nine men during its existence. A further eight were killed as a result of their membership after they had left the battalion. No figures are available for those wounded.Notable personalities
- Robert Smith, Democratic Unionist PartyDemocratic Unionist PartyThe Democratic Unionist Party is the larger of the two main unionist political parties in Northern Ireland. Founded by Ian Paisley and currently led by Peter Robinson, it is currently the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the fourth-largest party in the House of Commons of the...
politician, former Lord Mayor of CraigavonCraigavonCraigavon is a settlement in north County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It was a planned settlement that was begun in 1965 and named after Northern Ireland's first Prime Minister — James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon. It was intended to be a linear city incorporating Lurgan and Portadown, but this plan...
See also
- List of battalions and locations of the Ulster Defence Regiment
- Ulster Defence RegimentUlster Defence RegimentThe Ulster Defence Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army which became operational in 1970, formed on similar lines to other British reserve forces but with the operational role of defence of life or property in Northern Ireland against armed attack or sabotage...
- Palace Barracks Memorial Gardens