Perthaps this might put paid to the claim that the Unionists supported The Home Rule Bill (though I doubt it)
From The Troubles Thames Television 1980
THE ULSTER VOLUNTEER FORCE
In January 1913, the Ulster Unionist Council, led by Carson, decided to bring the various ad hoc groups who were drilling in northern Ireland into one unit, the Ulster Volunteer Force. This was to be organised on a military basis under the command of a retired professional army officer, Sir George Richardson. Volunteers started assembling and drilling openly throughout Ulster, although at first they carried only wooden replicas of rifles and it is probable that they were not taken seriously. Soon, however, their numbers amounted to some 100,000 men.
One of the most fanatical of Ulstermen, Major Fred Crawford (who had signed his name in blood on Ulster's Solemn League and Covenant), brought several thousand rifles, some machine guns and a large stockpile of ammunition into Ulster during the year to arm the UVF. The Government, alarmed by the growth of this private armoury, clamped down and in December prohibited the import of arms and ammunition into Ireland. With instructions from the Ulster Unionist Council and with funds raised in England and Ireland, Crawford disappeared to Germany to purchase whatever weaponry he could, planning to smuggle it back into Ulster by sea. On the night of 24 April 1914, 20,000 German rifles and 3,000,000 rounds of ammunition were landed at three Ulster ports and distributed throughout the UVF within twenty-four hours. The gun-running restored a position of military supremacy in Ireland to the Ulster Unionists, at a crucial time during the delicate negotiations over Home Rule. It helped to persuade Asquith and the Liberal Cabinet that the Ulster threats were no bluff.
By July 1914, the Ulster Volunteer Force was well armed and well trained. In the case of a complete breakdown in the Home Rule discussions, they threatened open war against anyone who tried to impose a Dublin Parliament on Ulster. UVF units were standing by, awaiting the telegraphed order from Carson to move into action. Detailed and intricate plans had been made to evacuate the women and children from Belfast in the event of an outbreak of fighting. The UVF medical corps was prepared to deal with thousands of casualties. Then, suddenly, the problems of Ulster were overwhelmed by a far greater conflagration.
The photograph shows Sir Edward Carson, with his characteristic blackthorn stick, inspecting a UVF unit in 1914, after the Larne gun-running. Note the German rifles and the military regalia.
Jim Carroll