Editing David Ervine (section)

== Early life ==
David Ervine was the youngest of five children born to Walter and Elizabeth Ervine. He was raised in a [[Protestant]] working-class area of east [[Belfast]] between the Albertbridge and Newtownards roads. His household was not loyalist at all: his father Walter described himself as a socialist, had no time for [[Ian Paisley]] and didn't attend church.<ref>Moloney, Ed (2010). Voices From the Grave: Two Men's War in Ireland. Faber & Faber. p.309</ref> When Ervine joined the [[Orange Order]] aged 18, he said he was the first member of his family to ever be a member. His membership, however, did not last long.<ref>Moloney, Ed (2010). Voices From the Grave: Two Men's War in Ireland. Faber & Faber. p.315</ref> Like many in his situation, he grew up closely identifying with his community and absorbed its [[Ulster Unionism|unionist]] ideals and opinions. Ervine left [[Orangefield High School]] (Orangefield Boys Secondary School) at 14 and, aged 19, joined the UVF, believing this step to be the only way to ensure the defence of the Protestant community after the events of [[Bloody Friday (1972)|Bloody Friday]]. A neighbour of Ervine's, William Irvine, who was a member of the [[Ulster Defence Association]] (UDA), had died in one of the bomb blasts on that day.<ref>Moloney, Ed (2010). Voices From the Grave: Two Men's War in Ireland. Faber & Faber. p.304</ref>

Before joining the UVF Ervine had attempted to join the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] (RUC), but due to a misdemeanour in his childhood involving a stolen bicycle he was refused entry.<ref>Moloney, Ed (2010). Voices From the Grave: Two Men's War in Ireland. Faber & Faber. p.306</ref>