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2nd (County Armagh) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment (2 UDR) was formed in 1970 as part of the seven original battalions specified in the Ulster Defence Regiment Act 1969, which received Royal Assent on 18 December 1969 and was brought into force on 1 January 1970.〔Statutory Instrument, 1969 No. 1860 (C. 58), The Ulster Defence Regiment Act 1969 (Commencement) Order 1969〕〔The New Law Journal, Volume 120, Part 1〕 It was, along with the rest of the regiment, amalgamated with the Royal Irish Rangers in 1992 to form the Royal Irish Regiment. It had previously been amalgamated in 1991 with the 11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment to form the 2nd/11th Battalion Ulster Defence Regiment. ==History== The raising of citizen militias has a history in Ireland stretching back to the creation of the Irish Militia in 1793. The raising of UDR battalions on a county basis followed the pattern of raising militias. The County Armagh connection to 2 UDR is the Armagh Regiment of Militia, later known as the Armagh Light Infantry and (in 1881) 3rd Princess Victoria's Regiment (Royal Irish Fusiliers). Along with the other six original battalions, 2 UDR commenced operational duties on 1 April 1970. Headquarters was originally in the ancient Gough Barracks in Armagh City, formerly home to the Depot, Royal Irish Fusiliers,〔Potter p27〕 but was later moved to purpose-built accommodation on a new site on the Hamiltonsbawn Road called Drumadd Barracks〔(Armed Forces: Drumadd Barracks: 3 Oct 2011: Hansard Written Answers and Statements - TheyWorkForYou )〕 which was shared with the regular army and also later served as an HQ for 3 Infantry Brigade. At various times the battalion had companies in Armagh,〔Potter p101〕Loughgall,〔Potter p159〕 Glenanne,〔Potter p102〕 and Lurgan,〔Potter p87〕 plus platoons in Keady and Newtownhamilton.〔Potter p153〕 Lieutenant Colonel Michael Torrens-Spence, previously County Commandant for County Armagh of the Ulster Special Constabulary (B Specials), was the first Commanding Officer and served from 1970 to 1972. Major P.R. Adair, Coldstream Guards, was the first training major (TISO).〔 Part of his job was to find accommodation for the new companies of the battalion. Where possible accommodation was sought in army bases and 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.〔 Due to its location and patrol territory in the "bandit country" of South Armagh. This was one of the most heavily engaged battalions of the Ulster Defence Regiment and had the longest list of casualties.〔Ryder p191〕 The battalion was always under strength as a result so the decision was taken in 1982, when the permanent cadre had dropped to 184, to transfer an entire platoon from 9 UDR (who were patrolling one of the quietest areas in the province) into the 2nd battalion.〔Potter p252〕 This wasn't as straightforward as transferring soldiers from regular units as UDR soldiers lived at home and their barracks had very limited accommodation but it was effected successfully.〔 2 UDR was responsible for 650 square kilometres of County Armagh, the smallest UDR battalion area but probably the most violent area during the Troubles.〔 The battalion provided the station guard for the Royal Ulster Constabulary barracks at Bessbrook.〔Ryder p75〕 On one occasion when a proxy bomb arrived at the barracks they had to clear the area and carry several children to safety before the 30 lb device exploded.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「2nd Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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