11th Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment

Formation of the Land Forces in Northern Ireland (CLFNI)

11th (Craigavon) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment

Regimental Insignia

Active| 1970–1992
Country|  United Kingdom
Branch| British Army
Type| Infantry battalion
Role| Internal Security
Size| 772
Regimental Headquarters| Lisburn
Motto(s)| "Quis Separabit" (Latin)
"Who Shall Separate Us?"
March| (Quick) Garryowen & Sprig of Shillelagh.
(Slow) Oft in the Stilly Night
Commanders
Colonel Commandant| First: General Sir John Anderson GBE, KCB, DSO.
Last: General Sir Charles Huxtable, KCB, CBE, DL
Colonel of the Regiment| Colonel Sir Dennis Faulkner CBE

Military unit

The 11th (Craigavon) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment was formed from companies of the 2nd Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment (2 UDR) 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.

## Formation

[edit]

The battalion was formed in 1972 after an announcement by Major General Robert Ford, Commander Land Forces in Northern Ireland (CLFNI).[1] 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.[1]

The new battalion was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Robin Chappell, who had previously been commander of the neighbouring 2 UDR. He was the first regular officer to command the 2nd battalion, and the only regular officer ever to command two separate UDR battalions.[2]

In 1990 11 UDR was reported as having 772 members who patrolled an area of 1,500 square kilometres (580 sq mi).[3]

## Uniform, armament & equipment

[edit]

See also: Ulster Defence Regiment § Uniform, armament and equipment

## Greenfinches

[edit]

See also: Ulster Defence Regiment § Women's UDR (Greenfinches)

## Barracks

[edit]

A platoon of UDR soldiers salute their commanding officer at Mahon Barracks

From formation battalion HQ was based at Mahon Road Barracks, known by the troops as "Fort Mahon", a new purpose-built UDR base on the Mahon Road, Portadown beside the historic Mahon House.[4] 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.

## Companies

[edit]

Main Gate sign from Mahon Barracks

### HQ Company

[edit]

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 colonel. 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.

### HQ Company (Operations Platoon)

[edit]

Scarva Road Barracks, Banbridge – 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 of experience with the Royal Highland Fusiliers, fighting in colonial conflicts during the disestablishment of empire. His second in command was Colour Sergeant Robert (Bob) Beattie (Father of Captain Doug Beattie) who had fought in the Congo Crisis and in Cyprus with the Royal Ulster Rifles. 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)

[edit]

Based at Mahon Barracks – a part-time company. Later renamed B Company. Drawn from men (and later women) from the village of Tandragee and the surrounding area this company came on duty at 7 pm 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

[edit]

(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 and designated "A Company".

### C Coy (Lurgan)

[edit]

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.

#### Arms raid

[edit]

Subsequent to a raid against C Company, on 20 October 1972, the guard commander Sgt Billy Hanna MM was convicted of supplying information to loyalist paramilitaries.[5] Most were recovered in follow up operations but some were later proven to have been used by loyalist organisations to carry out crime, including murders.[6]

### D Coy (Banbridge)

[edit]

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.

The gated off centre of Portadown - guarded by E Coy, 11UDR

### E Coy (Portadown)

[edit]

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)

[edit]

After the amalgamation of 1 and 9 UDR in 1984[7] – 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 Belfast.

## Area of responsibility

[edit]

RUC J Division – taking in the sub-divisions of:

A soldier of 2 Platoon, A Coy, 11 UDR, armed with a 9mm pistol, checks vehicles at the permanent checkpoint outside Newtownhamilton RUC Station – December 1985

* 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)[8]

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:

* Bessbrook
* Newtownhamilton
* Caledon
* Keady[9]
* Middletown
* Omeath

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

[edit]

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.[10] No figures are available for those wounded.[10]

## The Miami killings

[edit]

Two soldiers from the 11 UDR's C Company, (also UVF members), were convicted of the 1975 killing of three musicians from the Irish showband, the Miami. This attack was led by Robin Jackson, a former ii UDR soldier who had been discharged for "undisclosed reasons".[11][12][13] Two soldiers from 11 UDR's E Company, Portadown(also UVF members), died in the premature explosion of their own bomb.[14]

## See also

[edit]

* Ulster Defence Regiment
* List of battalions and locations of the Ulster Defence Regiment
* Category:Ulster Defence Regiment soldiers
* Category:Ulster Defence Regiment officers

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Ryder p49
2. ^ Potter p87
3. ^ Ryder p 192
4. ^ Barracks: The History Behind Those Names (Part 4)
5. ^ Potter pp78–9, 90, 92, 96–7, 151–2
6. ^ Potter 2001, p. 293
7. ^ Potter p 241
8. ^ British Military Garrison in Ireland – RUC
9. ^ Potter p 299
10. ^ a b "Palace barracks memorial garden". Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
11. ^ UVF Rules out Jackal Link to Murder – The People (London, England), 30 June 2002. Archived on 2019-04-04
12. ^ "Collusion in the South Armagh/Mid Ulster area in the mid-1970s". Pat Finucane Centre Archived 26 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine
13. ^ "Net is closing in on Dublin car bombers". Sunday Independent. Joe Tiernan. 2 November 2003. Retrieved 12 April 2012
14. ^ 1976: UDR men jailed for Showband killings

## Bibliography

[edit]

* A Testimony to Courage – the Regimental History of the Ulster Defence Regiment 1969 – 1992, John Potter, Pen & Sword Books Ltd, 2001, ISBN 0-85052-819-4
* The Ulster Defence Regiment: An Instrument of Peace?, Chris Ryder 1991 ISBN 0-413-64800-1
* Lost Lives, David McKittrick, Mainstream, 2004, ISBN 184018504X
* Echo Company, The History of E Company 5th Battalion of the Ulster Defence Regiment, by Ronnie Gamble 2007. ISBN 978-0-9558069-0-2

* v
* t
* e

The Troubles
in Ireland

1960s and 1970s

* Battle of the Bogside/1969 riots
* RTÉ bombing
* Battle of St Matthew's
* Falls Curfew
* Crossmaglen bombing
* Scottish soldiers' killings
* Operation Demetrius
* Ballymurphy massacre
* Newry killings
* Red Lion Pub bombing
* McGurk's Bar bombing
* Balmoral showroom bombing
* Bloody Sunday
* Abercorn Restaurant bombing
* Donegall St bombing
* Battle at Springmartin
* Dungiven ambush
* Battle of Lenadoon
* Springhill massacre
* Bloody Friday
* Operation Motorman
* Claudy bombing
* Newry customs bombing
* Benny's Bar bombing
* Annie's Bar massacre
* Belturbet bombing
* Dublin bombings
* New Lodge Six shooting
* Coleraine bombings
* Rose & Crown Bar bombing
* Clogher barracks attack
* Dublin & Monaghan bombings
* Mountainview Tavern attack
* Bleary Darts Club shooting
* Strand Bar bombing
* Forkhill beer keg bomb
* Miami Showband killings
* Bayardo Bar attack
* Tullyvallen massacre
* October 1975 attacks
* Drummuckavall ambush
* Dublin Airport bombing
* Dundalk & Silverbridge attacks
* Central Bar bombing
* Reavey and O'Dowd killings
* Kingsmill massacre
* Castleblayney bombing
* Hillcrest Bar bombing
* Flagstaff Hill incident
* Charlemont pub attacks
* Store Bar shooting
* Chlorane Bar attack
* Ramble Inn attack
* Stag Inn attack
* Andersonstown incident
* Garryhinch ambush
* Jonesborough Gazelle shootdown
* La Mon restaurant bombing
* Warrenpoint ambush
* Dungannon land mine attack

* * *

1980s

* Dunmurry train bombing
* Lough Foyle attacks
* Altnaveigh landmine attack
* Glasdrumman ambush
* Divis Flats bombing
* Droppin Well bombing
* Ballygawley land mine attack
* Darkley killings
* Kesh ambush
* Strabane ambush
* Newry mortar attack
* Ballygawley barracks attack
* Birches barracks attack
* Clontibret invasion
* Loughgall ambush
* Remembrance Day bombing
* Milltown Cemetery attack
* Corporals killings
* Avenue Bar shooting
* Lisburn van bombing
* Aughanduff Lynx shootdown
* Ballygawley bus bombing
* Drumnakilly ambush
* Jonesborough ambush
* Derryard checkpoint attack

* * *

1990s

* Derrygorry Gazelle shootdown
* Downpatrick landmine attack
* Operation Conservation
* Armagh City roadside bombing
* Fort Victoria
* Proxy bombings
* Lough Neagh ambush
* Silverbridge Lynx shootdown
* Mullacreevie ambush
* Cappagh killings
* Craigavon mobile shop killings
* Glenanne barracks bombing
* Coagh ambush
* Musgrave Park Hospital bombing
* Craigavon Hyster killings
* Teebane bombing
* Sinn Féin Headquarters shooting
* Sean Graham bookmakers' shooting
* Clonoe ambush
* Cloghoge checkpoint attack
* Coalisland riots
* South Armagh sniper campaign
* Forensic Lab bombing
* James Murray's bookmakers attack
* Castlerock killings
* Cullaville occupation
* Battle of Newry Road
* Shankill Road bombing
* Greysteel massacre
* Fivemiletown ambush
* Crossmaglen Lynx shootdown
* 1994 Shankill Road killings
* Loughinisland massacre
* Killeeshil ambush
* Drumcree conflict
* Thiepval barracks bombing
* Coalisland attack
* 1997 riots
* Quinn brothers' killings
* Banbridge bombing
* Omagh bombing

* * *

See also: The Troubles in Britain & Europe, Assassinations during the Troubles, and Loyalist feud

* v
* t
* e

The Troubles

Participants

State security forces

United Kingdom

* British Army (Ulster Defence Regiment
* Force Research Unit)
* Royal Ulster Constabulary (Ulster Special Constabulary)

|

Ireland

* Defence Forces
* Garda Síochána

Irish republican paramilitaries

* Provisional IRA
* Official IRA
* INLA
* Irish People's Liberation Organisation
* Continuity IRA
* Real IRA
* Republican Action Force
* Saor Éire
* Irish Revolutionary Brigade

Vigilantes

* Direct Action Against Drugs

|

Ulster loyalist paramilitaries

* Ulster Volunteer Force
* Ulster Defence Association
* Red Hand Commando
* Ulster Resistance
* Loyalist Volunteer Force
* Ulster Protestant Volunteers
* Ulster Third Force
* Ulster Volunteer Service Corps
* Down Orange Welfare
* Protestant Action Force
* Woodvale Defence Association

Vigilantes

* Ulster Protestant Action
* Ulster Service Corps
* Orange Volunteers

|

Major events

* 1967–1972
* Northern Ireland civil rights movement
* 1969
* NI riots
* 1970
* Falls Curfew
* 1971
* Operation Demetrius
* McGurk's Bar bombing
* Balmoral showroom bombing
* 1972
* Bloody Sunday
* Abercorn Restaurant bombing
* Beginning of direct rule
* Bloody Friday
* Operation Motorman
* Old Bailey bombing
* Sunningdale Agreement
* 1974
* M62 coach bombing
* Ulster Workers' Council strike
* Dublin & Monaghan bombings
* Guildford pub bombings
* Birmingham pub bombings
* 1975
* Miami Showband killings
* Bayardo Bar attack
* Tullyvallen massacre
* Balcombe Street siege
* 1976
* Reavey and O'Dowd killings
* Kingsmill massacre
* 1978
* La Mon restaurant bombing
* Jonesborough Gazelle downing
* 1979
* Warrenpoint ambush
* 1981
* Republican hunger strike
* 1982
* Droppin Well bombing
* 1983
* Maze Prison escape
* 1984
* Brighton hotel bombing
* 1985
* Newry mortar attack
* Anglo-Irish Agreement
* 1987
* Loughgall ambush
* Remembrance Day bombing
* 1988
* Start of peace process
* Operation Flavius
* Milltown Cemetery attack
* Corporals killings
* IRA attacks in the Netherlands
* Aughanduff Lynx shootdown
* Ballygawley bus bombing
* 1989
* Deal barracks bombing
* Attack on Derryard checkpoint
* 1990–1997
* South Armagh sniper campaign
* 1990
* Augher Lynx shootdown
* Proxy bombings
* 1991
* Downing Street mortar attack
* Cappagh killings
* 1992
* Teebane bombing
* Sinn Féin Headquarters shooting
* Sean Graham bookmakers' shooting
* 1993
* Warrington bombings
* Bishopsgate bombing
* Shankill Road bombing
* Greysteel massacre
* Downing Street Declaration
* 1994
* Loughinisland massacre
* Crossmaglen Lynx downing
* Ceasefires of the Provisional IRA, UVF, UDA and RHC
* 1996
* Docklands bombing
* Manchester bombing
* 1997
* NI riots
* Second IRA ceasefire
* 1998
* Good Friday Agreement
* Omagh bombing

Political parties

Irish republican parties

* Sinn Féin
* Official Sinn Féin
* Republican Sinn Féin
* Irish Republican Socialist Party
* Communist Party of Ireland
* Irish Independence Party
* Republican Socialist Collective
* Unity

|

Ulster loyalist parties

* Ulster Unionist Party
* Democratic Unionist Party
* Progressive Unionist Party
* Vanguard Unionist Progressive Party
* UK Unionist Party
* Ulster Democratic Party

Other parties

* Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
* Social Democratic and Labour Party

* Segregation (peace lines)
* Irish republicanism
* Irish nationalism
* Unionism
* Ulster loyalism
* United Ireland
* Free Derry
* Films
* Flags
* Murals
* Parades
* Punishment attacks
* Finances
* Special Category Status
* Shoot-to-kill policy
* HM Prison Maze
* Five techniques

* * *

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