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Chapter
14 – Women in the UDR
Photo
34 The ‘Greenfinch’
First, the weakness of the Stop and Search tactic employed
by the UDR was that male soldiers could not search females and
children. For three years the terrorist had enjoyed a relative
degree of freedom by using women and children to transport their
munitions, documents and incendiary devices.
Second, males were not enrolling or staying in the UDR long
enough to achieve the Regiment’s established strength.
“I
joined the UDR in September 1981, although both my grandfathers and
my father had seen action in the world wars, my father and brothers
went the way of the Royal Ulster Constabulary in the 70s. I, on the
other hand, followed the older family tradition and choose to be a
Greenfinch which was what the females were called who joined”S46.
Code
Names
In
order to preserve the identity of individuals or units in radio
transmissions, the radio operator would use code words or
Appointment Titles. For example, the Appointment Title for a
commander on the ground was ‘Sunray’, all infantry units
‘Foxhound’ and the UDR ‘Greentop’. The Appointment Title
selected for the women soldiers was ‘Greenfinch’ and for senior
female UDR commanders ‘Goldfinch’. The authorship of the title
‘Greenfinch’ was chosen by Harry Baxter (R Doherty, 2007).
Integration
The
Greenfinches were recruited locally and placed directly into the
Regiment. This was the first case of complete integration of males
and females in a British military unit and it proved to be a very
successful model. (British Army Review 1975 p30).
It
is difficult to assess the extent to which the integration of the UDR has been
influential as a model for
female integration in the other branches of the armed forces. The
time lag of introducing innovations, which have a gender specific
component, is reflected in the fact that, although this
model was introduced into Northern Ireland in 1973, it did not
become a mainstream model for the Army until 1992.
It could be argued that integration works in Northern
Ireland because both male and female soldiers were in a constant
combat situation and so bonding into cohesive units happened
easily. Soldiers have to rely on each other whether they are male
or female as they each have their roles to play. It remains to be
seen whether integration in the rest of the British Army will be as
successful (Logan, 1992, p58).
Greenfinch
Strength
The
initial publicity attracted over 530 female applications and
enlistments into the female UDR, starting on 16 Sept 1973
(Defence Vol 2 No3 p18).
In
those early years there was an establishment for just over 700
female UDR posts. This consisted of a section of eleven female UDR
for each of the fifty-nine province wide UDR companies. Another six
female UDR posts were created at each of the eleven Battalion
Headquarters.
By 1986 the female UDR establishment had increased to 738 to
cover both full-time and part-time duties in all Battalions, HQUDR
and the UDR Training Depot.
In 1991 the female UDR strength remained roughly the same.
The women formed ten per cent of the Regiment. From these figures
269 were full-time and 467 were part-time (Northern Ireland Office,
1991, p44). Full-time and part-time uniformed female soldiers were
required to be on active service alongside their male colleagues
both day and night. The part-time element was required mainly for
night and weekend duties.
Domestic
Responsibilities
“Of
the women interviewed only one had children prior to her
recruitment and she recalls having to sign a declaration on her
childcare arrangements in the event of a call-out” (Logan R 1992,
p67).
“Like
all parents I tried to keep the more worrying parts of the job from
my family. My family knew not to answer the door to strangers, not
to tell anyone over the phone where I was or in fact what I did at
night. They seemed to take it all in their stride and enjoyed the
social side of the UDR – the kiddies Christmas parties, family
barbecues and the like.
It
was not until the Enniskillen bomb on Remembrance Day when my son
saw a Greenfinch on the television, wearing the same uniform that I
had been wearing that morning when I left the house (I was on
parade locally that day), clambering over the rubble to help
someone. That’s when he started asking questions and became
concerned about what I was doing.
In some ways it was a strange existence, many of the people
in the small village I grew up in knew what I did but they never
asked any questions and I never said anything. We just carried on
with life trying to make an abnormal situation as normal as
possible as that was the only way to survive” S46.
The
Initial Role of Women in the UDR
The
females in the UDR were fairly untypical in that women were
specifically deployed in a military campaign against other women.
Greenfinches were deployed in patrols with the aim of denying the
terrorists the capability of using women to carry out paramilitary
activities. Their search role made a significant contribution in
the fight against terrorism (Logan, 1992, p58).
The
new intake of females allowed more men to be released for
operational duties. The women were trained to take over clerical,
catering and storekeeping duties as well as staffing the Operations
room and Intelligence cell.
At the company level the unarmed female UDR operated
alongside the men on patrol operations. They were used to drive
patrol vehicles and search females and adolescents for explosives,
weapons and documents. The freedom from carrying a weapon allowed
the women to operate as searchers, signallers and interviewers
while on patrol operations. A dedicated ‘Coverman’ protected
the women whilst they carried out these operational duties.
“With
most people working all day at their civilian job and then doing a
patrol from 8pm until 4am, by 3am on the third or forth night of
the week we would all be quite tired. One particular patrol
commander would, when he saw the first soldier in the patrol
suffering from the ‘nodding dog syndrome’, get the driver to
stop and make me get in and drive the Landrover for the remainder
of the patrol. For some strange and inexplicable reason as soon as
I got behind the wheel everyone became extra vigilant: I am not
sure exactly why, as I always made sure at least two of the
Rover’s wheels were making some kind of contact with the ground
when cornering”S46.
Female
UDR Training
The
female UDR received regular training during their army careers and,
like their male counterparts, they had to complete annual skills
tests in order to retain their skills grades and related pay
grades.
Most of the training was focused on their operational role
in Northern Ireland. As part of the basic training the female UDR
were taught military etiquette, Regimental history, rank structure,
foot drill and dress regulations. They were also trained in various
subjects such as person and vehicle searching, first aid, map
reading, signals, personal security and terrorist recognition. They
received fitness training and were encouraged to maintain a high
level of personal fitness (Logan, 1992, p56).
Female
UDR in the Front Line
The
female UDR could be compared to female soldiers in combat in that
they were recruited specifically to serve in Northern Ireland.
Although not armed they carried out operational duties alongside
their male counterparts, and were subject to the same risks during
terrorist attacks. The female UDR were in the front line from 1973
until 1992 when the UDR was amalgamated with the Royal Irish
Rangers. They then became the Royal Irish Regiment where they
continued to serve until 2007.
However the front line in Northern Ireland was different
from the front line in conventional warfare. In the latter case,
personnel could be up to two hundred miles behind the front lines
and still be at risk from long-range missiles. In Northern Ireland
the danger of terrorist assault was much closer with sniper attacks
and culvert bomb attacks, becoming a very real possibility to each
patrol regardless of whether the patrol had female members or not
(Logan, 1992, p57).
“I
met people from all walks of life, some had different views to me
and different outlooks on life but when we were out on patrol, we
gelled together and covered each others back as we tried to do as
professional a job as we possibly could.
In
hindsight, I enjoyed the patrols best of all and ‘many we had’
in the UDR. Although it could be bitterly cold and wet and some
people were quite hostile and hurled bottles, stones and insults at
us regularly, there was something about knowing you could depend on
the people around you with, literally your life that made it much
more than just a job” S46.
Pregnancy
It
was standard practice for pregnant women to be discharged from the
UDR in their fourth month of pregnancy. If the soldier returned to
duty after this enforced maternity leave they had to attend their
Battalion Recruits Course. Again, to add insult to injury, their
previous service did not count towards medal entitlement or
promotion.
In 1990 the European Court ruled against the Ministry of
Defence policy towards pregnant women in their employment.
Seventy-eight former female UDR received compensation.
An
E Company Greenfinch Story
“The
family documentation shows that my great grandfather and all his
three sons served the Crown before and during the First and Second
World Wars. One of my great grandfather’s brothers, a Private in
the 1st Battalion Royal Enniskilling Fusiliers, died on
the Somme on 8 July 1916. My granda’s brother served
in the Coleraine Battery during WWII.
My father served in the Royal Navy during WWII. His family
originally came from the Killowen area and my mother originally
from Belfast came to live in Coleraine. After WWII ended my parents
lived in the prefabs in James Street in Coleraine they then moved
to the Calf Lane area. My father’s first job was at the Coleraine
gas works in Hanover Place. The last job of his working life was at
Sperrin Textiles on the Ballycastle Road.
I was born in 1959 in Coleraine and my first school was
Millburn Primary, which was close to my home. I then went on to
Coleraine Secondary School and finished my education at Coleraine
Technical College.
Joining
the UDR
I
joined the UDR when I was twenty-four years old and single. My
career in the UDR lasted four years, from 25 Oct 1984 until 12 Dec
1988. Many of my neighbours were in the Regiment at that time and
that was the main reason I joined. There was no change in the
attitude of my neighbours when I joined the Regiment. I usually
relaxed within the UDR camp and made use of the bar facilities
there. I made many close friendships in the UDR and I have
maintained most of these. I became so involved in both the social
and operational activities of the Regiment that I lost touch with
many of my personal friends.
Dress
and Equipment
The
reality of our commitment set in when we were issued with our
‘Dog Tags’. They were stamped with our Army number, Name and
Initials, Religion and Blood group.
I personally feel that in some respects that females in the
UDR were never properly catered for as far as dress and equipment
went. We were dressed in lightweight olive green trousers that did
not keep you warm. The men had the benefit of double layered
camouflaged combat trousers. These were designed to protect the
soldiers from petrol bomb burns.
The
body armour issued to women was the same design as issued to men.
When you sat down the shoulders were raised up to cover your ears.
The body of the armour was too long to suit the female torso.
The
berets issued to the UDR were standard issue. When you first tried
them out they looked more like soup plates balanced on your head.
They had to be soaked and shaped to sit on your head properly.
Patrol
Preparation
When
you were out on patrol you were expected to carry many different
items of kit. The list was so comprehensive you had to be inspected
quite regularly to ensure you were carrying these items. This
included a tube of camouflage cream, pens for writing reports and
taking car details, and special pens for marking up maps.
We also had to carry our field dressings in our top left
pocket so that everyone knew where to locate it in the event of
being injured on patrol.
Then there were all the cards we had to memorize and carry
with us at all times. The MOD 90 was your army identity card. The
Green Card (The Green Cross Code) explained what to do if you
accidentally crossed the border. The Pink card was an aide memoire
for dealing with terrorist explosives. The Yellow card explained
the rules and procedure for opening fire. Finally, the Blue card
explained your powers of arrest and how to carry out an arrest.
Basic
Training
“My
basic recruit training was conducted in the Coleraine Base at
Laurel Hill House. The recruits trained for a couple of hours each
evening. After our initial issue of kit we had to learn how to
dress ourselves. For example, we were issued with WWI vintage cloth
puttees, these looked like long green bandages that were wrapped
around our ankles. They bridged the gap between our boots and the
tucked-in legs of our trousers.
The final week of our training was completed at the
Battalion Training Wing in Ballykelly. That training was a bit more
advanced and we learned how to ‘make safe’ all types of
infantry weapons. This formed part of our First Aid training. We
had to be competent at handling and clearing weapons in case
soldiers were injured during terrorist attacks or in traffic
accidents.
Photo
35 ‘Greenfinch’
Skill at Arms Training
We were also trained in Map Reading, Field Craft, Signals
and Voice Procedure. This was a whole new world to me but I found
the training enjoyable. We even learned how to cook our emergency
field rations on the Hexamine solid fuel burner. There was much
more to learn than I had expected.
Advanced
Training and Pay
The
pay rates in the Regiment were very good compared to my previous
jobs. The pay was not
only related to the number of operational and training duties you
completed, it was also related to your individual skill levels.
When I first joined the Regiment I was classed as Grade 4. I was
then expected to advance my military skills up to Grade 1 within
two years of joining. If you did not maintain your efficiency and
training at your qualified grade you were automatically downgraded.
This resulted in a wage drop as well.
Weapons
Training
Later
on I trained for the female UDR shooting team. I trained on the SLR
converted to take the .22 round and also trained on the 9mm pistol.
At annual camp in 1988 I took the opportunity to fire the SA80
rifle. That was the year the SA80 replaced the SLR.
While
I was in the UDR I attended two cooking courses. That qualified me
to cook meals and cater for the officers and soldiers when
required.
Operational
Duties
I
remember taking part in my first operational patrol just after I
had finished my training. I was part of the OC’s ‘Tac Crew.’ This was basically the mobile base for the OC or
the Platoon commander. A soldier was always detailed to look after
my security so I always felt safe. Sometimes when I knew the areas
the patrol had to travel through I was afraid but nothing untoward
ever happened to me. The work was totally different from anything
my friends were doing and I enjoyed the experience.
The craic in the Regiment was always good. For
example, one of the platoon sergeants always finished off the
monthly duty sheet handouts with the comment, “If you fail to
turn up for duty you will be on OC’s interview. I am serious”.
He was called Sergeant Serious after that.
Personal
Security
I
do believe that my parents worried about me being out on patrol
more than I did. My family lived close to the TA Camp and woe
betides any one who came to the door making enquiries about the
camp. The whole family would give the individual a grilling.
On
some nights two female UDR personnel from the company base were
employed in Battalion Operations room from 8pm until 4am. The
female UDR in our area were never allowed to carry weapons for
their personal protection. We also expected to travel between our
base and Battalion HQ in our own personal cars. It was a very
lonely journey having to travel from an army base at 4am in all
kinds of weather, not knowing who was watching or waiting for you.
Civilian
Employment
I
was employed by the MOD and they were aware of my Part-Time UDR
work. This would keep me out to 4:30am. For that reason I was
allowed to start two hours later in the mornings so that I was
rested.
Tiredness was a problem when you were out on patrol but the
temperature in the back of a Landrover was so low you never nodded
off to sleep.
Charity
Work
I
took part in some of the Charity work organised by the officers and
men in E Company. I was on the Junior ranks entertainments
committee and we used to organize at least one charity event each
year. The OC E Company also coordinated at least one charity event
each year. For example in 1987 I took part in a sponsored run
around the TAOR. That was over forty-eight hours of running in
relays. Each platoon in the company took twelve hours where two
people were out running at all times. That year four local
charities benefited from our efforts.
Resigning
From the UDR
I
was asked to resign from the Regiment because I was pregnant. I was
seven months pregnant at the time and I did not want to leave the
Regiment. My last night on duty was spent in preparing a buffet for
a 17 Platoon function. The platoon commander invited me upstairs
for a farewell but I was too upset to attend.
This
policy of discharging pregnant UDR soldiers was the official policy
of the UDR. It was not strictly adhered to at all times but in the
end you had to go. The Battalion HQ staff gave me some stipulations
on how they would allow me to rejoin the Regiment after six
months’ maternity leave. They refused to give me this in writing
so I had no alternative but to resign from the UDR under protest.
I
took the MOD to the Belfast High Court for ‘injury to feelings’
and ‘unfair dismissal’. The case was so protracted I decided to
settle out of court and get on with my life.
Final
Points
Serving
in the Regiment was a privilege. It was the only job I enjoyed and
believed was worthwhile. When I look back on the experience I will
always remember the comradeship. We were a family” S26.
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