Call to recognise B Specials

Speaking at a debate in Stormont last week, the assembly me mber also asked that the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Ulster Defence Regiment be marked. Alderman Robinson paid tribute to those who served in the USC, also known as B Specials plus the UDR.

The Assembly member relayed his gratitude to past members who defended the population against terrorism; and called on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to consider marking both anniversaries.

Alderman Robinson said: "I shall attempt to express my admiration of and thanks to the members of the B-Specials and the UDR for their role in protecting the entire population from those who desired civil unrest and planned to commit murder and destruction. The role they played, amid great sacrifice, has never been acknowledged properly. The B-Specials were part time and underpaid, apart from a small allowance for service and wear and tear on clothes. They were expected to do occasional duty, usually one evening per week, in their home area."

In hi motion the Deputy Mayor also asked the Secretary of State to take into account the work the serving members done within local communities during their opearyion.

Alderman Robinson added: "As Dr Paisley said at the time: "if you want to destroy a country pull out the teeth of her defence forces and she will be easy prey".

"Like the B-Specials, sadly, the UDR was also disbanded. Once again, local people, men and women who believed in defending their country, paid a heavy price in lives lost and injuries. Those are the facts and, with them in mind, the motion is correct to call on the Secretary of State to mark the two anniversaries. I join my colleagues in expressing gratitude to all those who served in the B-Specials, the UDR or any of the forces when terrorists wanted to destroy democracy and when they inflicted terrible wounds on our people and our wee country".