Ulster Special Constabulary

synonyms: Specials; 'A-Specials'; 'B-Specials'; 'C-Specials' The USC, or 'Specials', were originally formed in 1920 by the British Administration in Ireland. The force was an auxiliary (official) paramilitary force made up of three units, 'A', 'B', and 'C'. The 'A-Specials' were full-time and were housed in barracks, the 'B-Specials' were part-time and were used on patrols and check-points, and the 'C-Specials' did not perform any regular duties but held arms and could be mobilised in the case of an emergency. The 'A' and 'C' Specials were disbanded in 1925 but the 'B-Specials' were retained and were used during Irish Republican Army (IRA) campaigns in Northern Ireland. The 'B-Specials' were an entirely Protestant force and were viewed with distrust and fear by Catholics in Northern Ireland. In 1969 the 'B-Specials' were deployed in a number of areas. The 'B-Special's were responsible for shooting dead a Catholic civilian on 14 August 1969. The Hunt Report recommended the replacement of the 'B-Specials' with a locally recruited regiment of the British Army and the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) became operational on 1 April 1970. Many former members of the 'B-Specials' joined the UDR. Reading: Ulster Special Constabulary Association. (1980). 'Why?' Belfast: USCA.