What was different about the Ulster HG?
Terms: Ulster (Northern Ireland) – part of the U.K. and ruled by Britain. Irish Republic (Southern Ireland) – independant country, remained neutral throughout the war. Special Constable – part-time volunteer police officer. In mainland Britain, the Home Guard were administered through their county Territorial Army Associations. Members of the Home Guard also attested (swore a military oath of allegiance to the Crown) and were, therefore, a legitimate part of the Armed Forces of the Crown. In Ulster there was no Territorial Army and so the Ulster Home Guard was administered through the Royal Ulster Constabulary and members were sworn in as Special Constables. This may not seem to be too much of a problem but as Special Constables, the Ulster Home Guard were not technically part of the Armed Forces of the Crown, were not protected by the Geneva Convention and if they took up arms against an invading enemy could, legally, be shot as partisans or guerillas. It is also of interest to note t
