IRA ambush survivor Glen Espie – I share my story in memory of murdered UDR comrades
(‘Belfast Newsletter’ — Published 27th May 2024)
Shot and wounded in separate murder attempts while an off-duty member of the UDR, Glen Espie is a man with an incredible story to tell and it’s one he feels a responsibility to share.
To date, he has given 33 talks on his experiences of returning fire in gun battles with IRA terrorists intent on taking his life, pointing out that during the 22-year history of the UDR, 197 soldiers were murdered as active members and 62 after they had left the regiment.
“I trust in telling my story that I can bring to the audience what many of my murdered comrades experienced,” he said.“I am trying to tell the young people of today what service in the regiment was about and the daily threat these members were exposed to in serving their country and holding the line to stop Northern Ireland exploding into all out civil war.”
Glen is a long-serving member of East Tyrone Royal Black District Chapter No 5. He joined Gravesend RBP 65 in 1972 – “upholding a family tradition of my father and grandfather (both named Brice) and uncles being members” – and is immensely proud of the institution’s tradition and culture.Glen, 67, is married to Marion – “my rock” – and has a son, Glen, and daughter, Sharon.
He set out the background to the first attempt on his life, in March 1978.
He was 21, with a day job as a plumber with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and serving in the UDR’s Cookstown-based ‘G’ Company, after joining in January 1975.
Although serving part-time, it was “a 24/7 total commitment”, said Glen.
“You were never off duty as far as the terrorist was concerned, and you were an easy target for them to ambush at home.
“You had to be aware that they would know of your route and timings; they would know when you started and when you finished.” (more…)
