Ulster Defence Regiment

This page is dedicated to those who paid the ultimate price in the name of their
country during the bloodiest thirty-odd years of domestic British history.

The UDR Soldier

As poppy petal gently fall
Remember us who gave our all
Not in the mud of foreign lands
Nor buried in the desert sands.

In Ulster field and farm and town,
Fermanagh's lanes and drumlin'd Down
We died that violent death should cease
And Ulstermen might live in peace.

We did not serve because we hate
Nor bitterness our hearts dictate.

But we were they who must aspire
To quench the flame of terror's fire.

Grieve not for us, but this we ask,
Let others yet take up the task.

© John Potter

Dedicated to Robert (Dinger) Bell

From his wife Phyllis and Family ... (E-Mail ... please click here)

View from immediately outside the Army camp looking up the B128 towards Moore Street in Aughnacloy. The Church at the top of the street at the junction with Moore Street was the first hazard upon exiting the main gate of the camp, a sniper positioned in the bell tower would have a clear field of fire covering much of the street we came out into. So it was move fast, take up a firing position covering one direction or another, wait for the next lads to do the same covering your next move up the street, and so on leapfrogging your way up the street.

My late husband Robert joined the UDR on its formation in April 1970 (aged 23 yrs) and served continuously for 27 years part-time until his death on 9th January 1998 at the age of 51 yrs. He died of a heart attack whilst on duty in the Aughnacloy (photo above) UDR camp. His death was deemed to be attributable to service.

On joining the UDR Robert served for 2 years in Clogher and then continued his service in Aughnacloy with the 8th Battalion. He was promoted to Warrant Officer class 2 in 1976 and became the Company Sergeant Major (CSM) of the Aughnacloy Company. In recognition of his dedication and loyalty to service he was awarded Commendations in 1980 and 1985 by the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland.

He was the Manager of the Battalion Tug of War team and was very pleased when the team won the N.I. Championships qualifying them to go to Windsor Great Park to compete in the army championships. Whilst there he met the Princess Royal.

Robert chatting to Princess Anne at the Tug of War competition at Windsor Great Park

In October 2009 the "Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll" was awarded to his family in recognition of Robert's service and subsequent death.