MRF Shadow Troop: The untold true story of top secret British military intelligence undercover operations in Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1972-1974

by Simon Cursey

Some thought it stood for ‘Military Reconnaissance Force’, others ‘Mobile Reconnaissance Force’. Many people thought it didn’t exist at all.. For decades there has been argument in the media and amongst politicians about the possible existence and extent of a shoot-to-kill policy in Northern Ireland. MRF Shadow Troop confirms there was such an agenda in the early, chaotic days of British military intervention across the Irish Sea. But amongst the mountain of speculation there is little of any accuracy or authority relating to this period. The speculation about the unit’s name and mission only added to the uncertainty amongst their members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, the IRA, the provos. Simon Cursey was recruited into the Military Reaction Force — the unit’s true name — in 1972. This book is his personal account of his time with the group and in it he reveals the truth about their operations — the briefings, missions, political wrangling, and government-sanctioned law-bending. With documents and photographs to corroborate all his revelations, MRF Shadow Troop is a fascinating, exciting but above all accurate historical text about the pioneers of counter-terrorism. Simon Cursey joined the British Army at the age of 15, direct from school. By the time he was 19, he was an NCO in an infantry unit and travelled to Canada, Africa and most of Europe. When he was 21, he was singled out, selected and trained for a covert, undercover, counter-terrorist unit; the long-denied Military Reaction Force (MRF) which was a short lived British Military Intelligence counter-terrorist unit, formed in the most dramatic period of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, from 1971 to 1974. Influenced by friends, Simon decided to write this book because of the years of lies and misinformation surrounding the MRF and its activities, also to honour the brave men he had the pleasure to work alongside. After his time in the MRF and a few difficult years adjusting back into uniform, Simon decided to leave the British Army to follow other interests and now lives in a peaceful Alpine village in Italy.

Genres: Military Fiction

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2013

About the author

Simon Cursey, joined the British Army at the age of 15, direct from school. By the time he was 19, he was an NCO in an infantry unit and travelled to Canada, Africa and most of Europe. When he was 21, he was singled out, selected and trained for a covert, undercover, counter-terrorist unit; the long-denied Military Reaction Force (MRF) which was a short lived British Military Intelligence counter-terrorist unit, formed in the most dramatic period of The Troubles in Northern Ireland, from 1971 to 1974. Influenced by friends, Simon decided to write this book because of the years of lies and misinformation surrounding the MRF and its activities, also to honour the brave men he had the pleasure to work alongside. After his time in the MRF and a few difficult years adjusting back into uniform, Simon decided to leave the British Army to follow other interests and now lives in a peaceful Alpine village in Italy.

Reviews

[Ryan Tierney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brit propaganda. 🇮🇪

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pretty surprised at the bad ratings for this book. Maybe the audio version was more compelling.

During the 1970s the British Army had an undercover secret section that were fighting against the IRA in Northern Island. They carried no id and did not operate under military protocols. They were tasked with assassinating IRA members basically acting as a government terror group.

e.g one of their jobs was to unsettle the IRA and cause confusion. e.g. an unmarked car would open fire on people manning a barricade in the middle of the night. No one would know who was responsible but it would instill fear into anyone considering participating in future. The also did surveillance and while undercover if they saw someone who was armed or up to no good they wouldn’t hesitate in assassinating them.

I come away a bit confused. Who actually was in charge? Who in the government knew? What did they know, even in the Army it was a secret. What more did they do?

It’s a pretty amazing story but scary in that it was government sanctioned. Who were the good guys?

[Llew Sadler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed

Started to read full of expectation and was soon aware that there was so much repartition, technical description of fire arms, that I was looking forward to coming to the end.
I know the job carried out must have been very stressful and I respect the author, but regret it’s not a book I could recommend.

[Elise T-G · Rating 1 out of 5]

Giving up on this book. It has totally killed my enthusiasm for reading... I was hoping for more stories, instead got a lot of ranting and lengthy descriptions that just seemed to be page fillers. Disappointing.

[tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

This is interesting if you really want to no what went on during the"troubles" a good read but not a must read

[Martin Strain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in this book, managed to ‘drag’ myself through it hoping for something to happen. Sadly it didn’t.

[Michael Hewitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the book repetitive & it has lots of grammatical errors/typos (editors fault). It's a rambling collection of rants and the author didn't seem to have the ability to look at the Northern Ireland conflict in a broader context.

I found it difficult to read and it was more of a collection of stories from a bloke in a pub than a well structured book.

I wouldn't recommend reading, it could have been half the length and I'd have learned the same amount.

[Frank T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely one of the better military books I've read. The author doesn't try to dramatise he just tells it as it is. Undoubtedly these special men are beyond brave and just like today completely under appreciated by government and the military higher ups, but that's to be expected by some of the officers because they've never earned rank or respect.
If you are into the exploits of our brave men and women of the armed forces then this is a must read.

[The Villan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read from a former member of the MRF. good insight into the role the MRF did and the precursor to the SAS Counter Terrorism Teams of today. I was a bit disappointed that there wasn’t more incidents described in the book but possibly the author had to be selective due to repercussions from the IRA and more likely his own Government and the RUC going after former members and trying to prosecute them years after the fact.

[stephen pettinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read ,I've lived in Ulster through the times the author has described and this is the most accurate information. Iv e read dozens of books

I've loved reading this book and it brings back many memories but thankfully we have moved on slightly in Ulster
A very accurate written account from the author , the good and the bad!!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good solid read

I’ve read many of these types of book and this one certainly stands up to be counted. Recommended to anyone with an interest in real life military actions, personnel and units. I even think I have met and worked with a former member following this read.

[F.Hagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

MRF

Undercover work of such a professional degree it is spell binding ,
I am ex Forces RN and worked with the RM from MTB boats ,these are quite superb in their dedication .
We owe them more than this bunch of cowards in Government ever did!
Stay strong and thanks to you all

[Dale Ellwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read, thank you .

Fantastic book a must read for anyone interested in the unrest in Ireland. Thank you for your service and help making us feel a little safer.
This country of ours is too soft and needs more brave people like yourself. God bless you Simon Cursey.

[Kas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting insight into the dark world of plain clothes counter terrorism work in 1970s Northern Ireland

[Lee Mclean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a great read to be honest

[Jamie Bookboy Fitzpatrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. Gave up. Nonsense

[Philip Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

A really good read. I love the honest style of writing. A really good explanation of the troubles and how it was dealt with. A few myths have been smashed.

[A L · Rating 1 out of 5]

Written by a far right fascist - biased crap

[Tyler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bog standard military memoir. Very repetitive and doesn’t doesn’t really offer any real insight into the conflict

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

Although not grammatically correct, plenty of ranting on the book was informed and seems to be realistic although memory may not be accurate the author didn't glamourise the role or job.

The best description of the book is diary like in how it is told.

[Shaun Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. A lot of mistakes and ranting on, but not the worst book on the subject that I've read, but not the best.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable & would have received 5 stars but for the introduction by the editor which serves no good purpose & adds nothing to the story or book.
Anyone interested in recent military history or in what has to be Northern Ireland's darkest period, will gain from this book.
I found this was a book that once started was finished in a few days.
Well worth the read.