7th (City of Belfast) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment (7 UDR) was formed in 1970 as part of the 7 original battalions specified in The Ulster Defence Regiment Act 1969, which received Royal Assent on 18 December 1969[1] and was brought into force on 1 January 1970.

Where possible accommodation was sought in army bases although the old Ulster Special Constabulary platoon huts were vacant and available.

In most cases, men were selected who had previously held non-commissioned rank in any of the armed forces or the USC.

The filling of senior NCO posts in this manner did have a drawback in that many men of comparatively young ages who had considerable years of service before retirement or promotion created a "promotion block"[5] Protestant and Catholic soldiers were both intimidated out of the regiment.

[6] See: Ulster Defence Regiment Uniform, armament & equipment The first soldier from the battalion to be killed was Private Sean Russell, aged 30 (D Company) who was killed as he sat at home with his wife and five children in the predominantly Catholic New Barnsley estate in Belfast.