Along with the other 6 original battalions, 7 UDR commenced operational duties on 1 April 1970.
The first training major (TISO - training intelligence and security officer) was Major RW Wilson, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who took up his appointment at Palace Barracks just outside Belfast.[4] Part of his job was to find accommodation for the various companies of the new battalion. Where possible accommodation was sought in army bases although the old Ulster Special Constabulary platoon huts were vacant and available. To have used those would have attracted criticism from those who were already claiming that the UDR was the B Specials under a new name.[4]
Recruitment
The appointment of Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) was carried out in a variety of ways. In most cases, men were selected who had previously held non-commissioned rank in any of the armed forces or the USC. The filling of senior NCO posts in this manner did have a drawback in that many men of comparatively young ages who had considerable years of service before retirement or promotion created a "promotion block"[5]
Intimidation
Protestant and Catholic soldiers were both intimidated out of the regiment.[6] Following the introduction of internment however more Catholic soldiers found themselves the subject of intimidation from within their own community.[6]
The first soldier from the battalion to be killed was Private Sean Russell, aged 30 (D Company) who was killed as he sat at home with his wife and five children in the predominantly Catholic New Barnsley estate in Belfast. Private Russell was also the first Catholic UDR soldier to be killed by the Provisional IRA.[7] Following his death 40 Catholics resigned from the regiment.[8]
Potter, John Furniss. A Testimony to Courage – the Regimental History of the Ulster Defence Regiment 1969–1992, Pen & Sword Books Ltd, 2001, ISBN0-85052-819-4
Ryder, Chris. The Ulster Defence Regiment: An Instrument of Peace?, 1991 ISBN0-413-64800-1
