Editing Ulster Defence Regiment (section)

===1974 Ulster Workers Council Strike===
The first [[Ulster Workers' Council strike]] took place between 15 and 28 May 1974.  This is arguably the greatest test of integrity and loyalty the UDR had to endure, along with the RUC.<ref>Ryder p77</ref> The regiment was not called out but 3 UDR, then at annual camp in [[Magilligan]] was deployed on Sunday 19 May by road and air to the south Tyrone and south Fermanagh areas usually patrolled by 4 UDR and 6 UDR. Two days previously on 17 May loyalist paramilitaries had carried out a series of bombings in [[Dublin and Monaghan bombings|Dublin and Monaghan]]. The authorities believed the Provisional IRA would retaliate so had provided the 3rd Battalion as reinforcements to the local battalions.<ref>Potter p129</ref>

Despite there being no call out UDR soldiers flocked to their bases for duty.<ref name="Potterp">Potter p130</ref> They were frustrated in not being able to take any direct action against the strikers but the only orders they got were to "stand back and observe".<ref name="Potterp" /> A patrol from 7 UDR was able to prevent loyalists from throwing stones and bottles at regular troops in the [[Ballybeen]] estate in [[Dundonald, County Down|Dundonald]]. Barricades preventing soldiers from the [[Newtownabbey]] company of 10 UDR who lived in [[Monkstown, County Antrim|Monkstown]] from getting to their base were lifted when the platoon commander and platoon sergeant went down and warned the people manning the barricades that they would "regret it in the future" if they continued to prevent the UDR from getting out on patrol.<ref name="Potterp" />

Some soldiers took their turn manning the barricades alongside the UDA. These were men who lived in UDA dominated housing estates and had been threatened.  Those soldiers in such areas who did not take a turn on duty were not allowed to get out of the estates to report for duty and had their cars and homes damaged and in some cases they and their wives were refused service in local shops following the strike.<ref>Potter pp130-131</ref>

There were two reported instances of loyalists trying to subvert the loyalty of UDR units. One was against an entire company of 3 UDR and one against a platoon from the 8th battalion.  Both failed.<ref name="Potterp_a">Potter p131</ref>

Units from 7 UDR took up positions around key points at the shipyards, an oil refinery in [[Sydenham, Belfast|Sydenham]] and an electricity sub station in the [[Castlereagh (borough)|Castlereagh]] hills.<ref name="Potterp_a" /> Forty drivers were drafted in from 1, 9 and 10 UDR battalions to assist the [[Royal Corps of Transport]].<ref name="Potterp_a" /> Eventually 10 UDR and regular units forcibly dismantled the barricades in Monkstown.<ref name="Potterp_a" />

Prior to the strike some army commanders and the Brigadier UDR had expressed doubts about who the UDR was loyal to and who they would support in the event of such an action by loyalists. Brigadier Baxter later commented: "During the strike the UDR came of age".<ref name="Potterp_a" />