Ulster Defence Regiment march

The UDR was formed in 1970 as a locally recruited home service unit for anti terrorism operations and assisting local police in Northern Ireland. The regiment was unlike other army units as its soldiers did a days work and went home. This enabled the regiment to hold the record of spending the longest time on campaign without a break since the Napolionic wars. The regiment suffered heavy losses to terrorism with manyof its full and partime soldiers being murdered off duty in their homes and even after they had left the army. In 1992 the UDR amalganted with the Royal Irish Rangers to form the Royal Irish Regiment. the march is the Sprig of Shillelagh & Gerryowen