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Ulster Defence Regiment
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==Awards, honours and decorations== The most notable award to the Ulster Defence Regiment was the [[Conspicuous Gallantry Cross]] made by [[Elizabeth II|The Queen]] on 6 October 2006.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58186 |supp=y|page=17495|date=19 December 2006}}</ref> The unit citation confers the right of the regiment to be known as "The Ulster Defence Regiment CGC".<ref name="Order of Wear">[http://www.honours.gov.uk/honours/wear.aspx Order of Wear] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070128200052/http://www.honours.gov.uk/honours/wear.aspx |date=28 January 2007 }}</ref> During the award ceremony in Belfast the Queen paid tribute to the regiment: :''"Your contribution to peace and stability in Northern Ireland is unique." "Serving and living within the community had required "uncommon courage and conviction". "The regiment had never flinched despite suffering extreme personal intimidation. Their successes had "come at a terrible price, many gave their lives. Today you have cause to reflect on the fine achievements, while remembering the suffering". "The Home Service Battalions of the RIR and the UDR which had preceded them won the deepest respect throughout the land." So that their actions would always be remembered, the CGC was awarded to the RIR/UDR "as a mark of the nation's esteem" with the citation, "This award is in recognition of the continuous operational service and sacrifice of the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Irish Regiment in Northern Ireland during Operation Banner."''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.royalirishassociation.org/honours|title=Honours<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=27 June 2013|archive-date=13 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013181611/http://www.royalirishassociation.org/honours|url-status=dead}}</ref> In total 953 individuals received awards through the British honours system including: 12 Queen's Gallantry Medals; 2 Military Medals; 88 [[British Empire Medal|BEMs]]; 108 [[Order of the British Empire|OBEs]] and 276 [[Mention in Despatches|Mentions in Despatches]],<ref>Security Forces in Northern Ireland 1969β92 By Tim Ripley, Mike Chappell β {{ISBN|1-85532-278-1}} β page 49</ref> however for most UDR soldiers the presentation of decorations assumed the form of "service" or "campaign" medals including: * The [[General Service Medal (1962)|General Service Medal]] with "Northern Ireland" bar. (Awarded after 28 days service in the [[Operation Banner]] campaign) * The [[Ulster Defence Regiment Medal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.udrassociation.org/Medals.htm|title=Former Members of The Ulster Defence Regiment may be entitled to the following medals|website=udrassociation.org|access-date=31 July 2013|archive-date=30 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730094333/http://www.udrassociation.org/Medals.htm|url-status=usurped}}</ref> * [[Northern Ireland Home Service Medal]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.udrassociation.org/Medals/NIHSM.htm|title=The Northern Ireland Home Service Medal (NIHSM)|website=udrassociation.org|access-date=13 April 2008|archive-date=9 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509101340/http://www.udrassociation.org/Medals/NIHSM.htm|url-status=usurped}}</ref> * The [[Accumulated Campaign Service Medal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.udrassociation.org/Medals/ACSM.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030902013849/http://www.udrassociation.org/Medals/ACSM.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2 September 2003|title=404 Not Found|website=udrassociation.org}}</ref> (Awarded after 1,000 operational (not training) days service in the campaign) * The [[Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Ulster Defence Regiment)]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lightinfantry.org.uk/graphix/medals/army_long_service_and_good_conduct_medal.htm|title=British Light Infantry Regiments}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The award of "UDR specific" long service medals had complex rules which meant that not very many were ever issued. The UDR medal was only issued to 1,254 of the 40,000 who served. Only 1,416 Accumulated Campaign Service medals were issued.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1852/response/6191/attach/3/2008-09-16+BAMFORD+Final+Reply.pdf%5D|title=Accumulated Campaign Service Medal β Ulster Defence Regiment β a Freedom of Information request to Ministry of Defence|date=19 August 2008}}</ref> Officers who are awarded the Ulster Defence Regiment medal may use the post-nominal letters UD.<ref name="Order of Wear"/> The most decorated UDR soldier was Corporal Eric Glass of 4 UDR who received both the Queen's Gallantry Medal and [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] for bravery. Despite being gravely injured in an IRA ambush Glass managed to survive, killing one of his attackers, [[Joseph McManus]] in the process.<ref>Potter 2001, pp. 366β369</ref><ref>Rebel Hearts β Journey's within the IRA's soul, Kevin Toolis, 1995. PB {{ISBN|0-312-15632-4}} p.334</ref> An account of this (second) attack on Corporal Glass was carried in the [[Belfast News Letter]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/ex_udr_man_recalls_gun_battle_with_ira_gang_1_2757564 |title=Ex-UDR man recalls gun battle with IRA gang β Local |newspaper=News Letter |date=10 June 2011 |access-date=25 January 2012 |archive-date=12 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612214818/http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/ex_udr_man_recalls_gun_battle_with_ira_gang_1_2757564 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1987, the regiment submitted a request for the issuing of colours to the Queen which was given consent. This was granted in 1991, when the Queen decided to present the colours herself: an honour which is normally reserved only for those regiments of which she is [[Colonel in Chief]].<ref>Potter p347</ref> * 29 June 1991 β The first colours were presented by the Queen to five battalions at Thiepval Barracks, [[Lisburn]].<ref>Potter pp347-348</ref> * November 1991 β 6 UDR was presented at St Lucia Barracks, Omagh by [[James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Abercorn|The Duke of Abercorn]]. * April 1992 β The last colours were presented by [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York|The Duke of York]] in a ceremony near Edinburgh in April 1992, to 2/11 UDR, 7/10 UDR and 8UDR.<ref>Potter p365</ref> Up to May 2010, 232 [[Elizabeth Cross]]es and Memorial Scrolls have been issued to the families of UDR personnel whose deaths are officially attributed to their military service.<ref> [http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/registry_of_elizabeth_cross_reci#incoming-91973] Response to a request made under the [[Freedom of Information Act 2000]] at [[Whatdotheyknow.com]]</ref> <gallery caption="Medals of the Ulster Defence Regiment" widths="100px" heights="100px" class="center"> File:Conspicuous Gallantry Cross obverse.jpg|The Conspicuous Gallantry Cross File:GSM-ACCM and miniatures.jpg|Medal group of the GSM and ACSM plus dress miniatures. File:Ulster Defence Regiment Medal.png|UDR Medal ribbon File:Long service and good conduct ulster defense.png|UDR Long Service and Good Conduct Medal ribbon File:The Elizabeth Cross MOD 45152211.jpg|The Elizabeth Cross and dress miniature in presentation case </gallery> ===Freedoms=== The City of Belfast and a number of boroughs throughout Northern Ireland paid their own tribute to the regiment by granting freedoms including: [[North Down Borough Council|North Down]], [[Larne]], and [[Newtownards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/5952.aspx|title=The Ulster Defence Regiment β British Army Website<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> ===Wilkinson Sword of Peace=== The community relations work of 7th/10th (City of Belfast) Battalion was recognised by the award of the [[Firmin Sword of Peace|Wilkinson Sword of Peace]] for 1990.<ref name="autogenerated3"/>
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