The formation of the first Ulster Defence Association goes back to 1893 when a paramilitary group brought together all the defence associations under the ' Ulster Defence Union' to fight against the second Home Rule bill (which would have involved all of Ireland, including Ulster, being 'ruled' by a Dublin Parliment).
The UDA chose for their motto 'Quis Separabit' (Who Shall Separate Us). This motto was incorporated into their badge which also included the Scottish Thistle, the lions of England and the Union Flag. The rationale of the Ulster Defence Union, was to maintain the Union with Britain and to ensure continuing governance under the Goverment of the United Kingdom.
The UDU/UDA conducted military training and procured weapons in their attempt to demonstrate the strength and determination of its opposition to Home Rule. The leaders of the organisation were Colonel Edward Saunderson, M.P., William Johnston of Ballykilberg, Lord Arthur Hill, Daniel Dixon (Mayor of Belfast). They were solidly established in the Northern Counties of Ulster, but had support from elsewhere in Ireland and also Scotland and England.
It was interesting to note a Dublin correspondent's report of that period in th Sunderland Echo (May 19th 1886)"30,000 London Volunteers and officers have sent their names to the commitee of the Ulster Defence Associations for enrolment in the Army of Ulster.Each of these volunteers undertaking to provide his own uniform and to fight in the rebel army without expectation of pay or reward".
During 1969-70 a murderous campaign by th IRA created a futher need for Loyalists to organise in their own defence. Loyalists who were also threatened by the latest attempt to overthrow British rule and impose the idea of a United Ireland upon Ulster protestants, formed themselves into local vigilante groups, some of which were known as 'defence groups'.
FORMATION OF THE ULSTER DEFENCE ASSOCIATION
In September 1971 a large number of local defence and vigilante groups existed throughout Northern Ireland. There was an absence of a formally co-ordinated structure among the groups until Andy Tyrie, Tommy Herron, Ernie Willis and others saw the need to bring all groups under the umbrella of a central body. This unity was achieved under the auspices of the 'Ulster Defence Association' which would have an inner Council of a specified number of brigadiers to oversee the running of the organisation.
The UDA set about structuring its organisation which commanded between 30,000-50,000 members province wide. This was achieved by emulating the British Army command structure. Members were divided into Brigades with a Ruling Council consisting of a Brigadier from each Brigade area. The Brigade's in turn were divided into Company's whose numbers varied according to area strengh. The whole thrust of the UDA's strategy was originally defensive although it would soon assume a more hostile posture.
AINSWORTH AVENUE
On june 30th 1972 the UDA decided to erect barricades and creat 'no go' areas in many loyalist areas throughout Northern Ireland. This was done in order to secure loyalist areas against the IRA's murderous attacks. It was also aimed at putting pressure on the goverment to bring an end to republican 'no go' areas. Loyalists deemed it unacceptable that any part of Ulster soil should be a 'no go' area for the security forces or, indeed,anyone else. The first test of the UDA's ability to use its manpower, disipline and organisational ability came on 3rd july 1972.This was the result of an incident which involved confrontation between the UDA and British troops as they squared up to each other in a dispute over the erection of barricades.
The UDA had the manpower, the issue, and widespread support. The motivation of the volunteers was demonstrable and there was no way the UDA was backing down. if the stand of broke down there was real potential for disaster, loss of life and the distruction of property, not only in the Ainswoth area, but throughout the province.
The British Army Commander of Land Forces, General Ford, spoke directly to the senior UDA representatives, led by Andy Tyrie. Inner Council members of the UDA, as well as local Commanders also took part.
Alocal house served as a meeting place for the talks and some hours were spent in debate. Finally a compromise was reached and the army agreed to man a permanent checkpoint which would ensure the safety of those who lived at the interface. This was acceptable to the UDA and after an agreement was reached the UDA dispersed. A major confrontation, with devastating consequences was avoided.
One of the most significant demonstrtions of UDA power, was in its organisation of the 1974 'Ulster Workers Council Strike' which effectively proved that loyalists could control Northern Ireland, if and when they had to. The strike proved to be a major achievement in terms of mobilising popular support right across Northern Ireland and was one of the most successful non-violent protests ever mounted in Great Britain.
REASSESSMENT OF UDA STRUCTURE
By the beginning of 1973 the 'military men' within the UDA were considering creating a military wing which would be both specialised and distinct from more broadly and community based UDA activities.It was argued that a cohesive and effective strategy would be more likely to emerge if personnel were tasked with specific responsibilities.
The 'military men' (those in charge of Active Service Units and of the UDA's military strategy) were organised in a way which involved a hierarchical community structure, incorporating a Supreme Military Commander in charge of all the Military Commanders from each of the Brigades. The Military Commander was responsible to the ruling Inner Council of the UDA.The most active units however, argued that they were being held back by a ruling body which was not totally focused at directing their energy and resources towards directly engaging the enemy.They argued that a military leader could only be effective in his duty by concentrating on military matters.While recognising that community development and other UDA concerns were important they identified the need for an exclusively military 'wing'.
During 1972 the IRA increased its violence and began a campaign of genocide against protestants, particularly in the border area. On july 12th, 1972 the IRA detonated a car bomb in the vicinity of an off-licence in Railway street, Coleraine, Co.Londonderry which Killed six old age pensioners -Francis Cambell (70), Dinah Cambell (72), Elizabeth Craigmile (76), Nan Davies (60), Robert Scott (72), and Elizabeth Palmer (60). The increase in IRA activity initiated a reassessment of the military capability and potential within the UDA, and stimulated internal debate on the effectiveness of its strategy against the IRA.
