Local parade to commemorate 40th Anniversary of UDR

The Parade, which they are pleased to say is being fully supported by Ballymena Borough Council, will form up outside Ballymena Town Hall (Braid Centre) at 7pm and will march off at 7-15pm sharp, led by the Pipes & Drums of the 2nd Bn. The Royal Irish Regiment (TA).

The Regiment is renowned for its continuous operational Service, for which it suffered greatly, indeed, much more than any other Regiment of the British Army while protecting this town, community and country from acts of terrorism, the likes of which had never been seen before.

The Parade will march off from Ballymena Town Hall at 7-15pm sharp and will return to the Town Hall at approximately 8pm.

After a short Act of Remembrance, the Parade will return to Ballymena Town Hall where they will be greeted by the Mayor and members of the Council before entering the building for a buffet reception, kindly provided by the Mayor of Ballymena, Ald. James Curry.

Inside the Town Hall there will also be a PRI Shop selling Regimental memorabilia and a selection of items that have been specially produced to mark this historic occasion. Also in attendance will be a representative from Help4Heroes.

The Regimental Welfare/Aftercare Team will also be in attendance to offer help and advice. Also present will be the Regimental Historical and Heritage Society. They exist to ensure that the history of the Regiment is maintained and recorded truthfully for historical purposes.

Ballymena was the home to the 1st Battalion the Ulster Defence Regiment (ie: the first Battalion to be formed). Its base and Headquarters were here in Ballymena and the very first patrols ever carried out by the Ulster Defence Regiment were mobilised and took place from the Depot here in Ballymena.

Their Regiment recruited from both sides of the community without favour and suffered more fatalities at the hands of republican terrorists than any other Regiment of the British Army. Numerous others suffered injuries, both physical and mental, and there are still many ex-Soldiers, Widows and families who continue to suffer today because of their Service in the Regiment, be that from physical pain, psychologically, bereavement and loss or loneliness. The pain continues, but so does the pride and sense of loyalty and commitment that is unique amongst this unique Regiment.

The Ulster Defence Regiment’s contribution to stability and peace was unique, so much so that on October 6, 2006 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross to the Regiment and their successors of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment at a moving ceremony and Parade in Belfast.

The need of Widows, bereaved families and ex-Soldiers continues to be great, and while Remembering the Regiment and Fallen colleagues, their emphasis will very much be on the important issue of Welfare and Aftercare, and so advice and information will be available to those who participate in this Parade

This is an important date in our Regimental Association calendar and while they would encourage as many ex-members of the Regiment as possible to come along and participate in the Parade, the Association are also encouraging their families to come along and offer that same loyal and unstinting support that they have always received. We recognise also that while there are many who Served, there are also many who worked alongside us as civilians in a variety of roles such as mechanics, etc. All of these people played a valuable part in the life of the Regiment and so we would encourage them to come along on this historic occasion.

In closing, the Regimental Association of the Ulster Defence Regiment (Ballymena Branch), would like to express publicly our sincere thanks to Ballymena Borough Council for lending their full support to this venture and for its recognition of the Ulster Defence Regiment.

As has been said, this is an historic occasion and one that will probably not be repeated again, so all the more reason to give it your full support and come along and add numbers to the Parade.

If you Served in theUlster Defence Regiment with honour, or if you have had any connection with the Regiment whatsoever, you will be made most welcome.

Please come along and show your support. All Regimental Standards are welcome and the Association look forward to seeing you on what is hoped to be a very memorable evening.

After the Parade all those who participated will be asked to join with the Association inside the Town Hall for refreshments.