This Friday, local historian David Keys will launch his latest book, 'Duty Bound', which collates information on the Special Constabulary/Ulster Special Constabulary (UFC), commonly called 'the B-Specials'.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter ahead of the book launch, David explained that he was inspired to write 'Duty Bound' after he was shown a "treasure trove" of archival material relating to the B-Specials.

"I have previously written quite a lot on World War I men of North Fermanagh, [which covers the areas of] Kesh, Lack, Irvinestown, Ballinamallard, Pettigo and Belleek," he said, noting that along with writing books, he has also put together exhibitions commemorating World War I.

Because of this interest, he was offered the opportunity to look at documents and material related to the UFC.

"Albert Hughes, who was the last Sub District Commandant of Irvinestown Sub District at the standdown in 1970, produced what I can only call a treasure trove of archive material relating to the B-Specials, back to the 1920s.

"I thought this was a good opportunity to record this to share with the general public," he added.

David also received material from Roy Palmer, whose father was the Adjutant of the UFC up until 1963.

"He had an immense amount of personal material that Captain Palmer had amassed over the years and retained. That was shared with me, and I was able to use that to build up my story," he said.

From these two building blocks, David started to put the book together. "The first big feature that needed to be dealt with was the casualties of 1920 to 1922.

"I had to research these men, because they had been very scantily researched," he said, noting that the 1920 to 1922 chapter covers the B-Specials who lost their lives in Fermanagh and in the surrounding counties.

"I have also included the one RIC Sergeant who was killed in Tempo, and the four Fermanagh-born RIC who were killed during that time in other counties," David explained.

With the book, David has tried his best to fill in the gaps from when the B-Specials were established in 1920 until their disbandment.

"I tried to fill in all the locations that they operated from, across the county, and there were 33 distinct different locations.

"Within those 33 districts, again using the information I was provided with, I was able to fill in quite a few of the names of the leadership in the districts," he said.

For his research, David also made good use of The Impartial Reporter's reporting of activities in the Southern counties and in the West of Ireland to give context on why the B-Specials were formed.

He also used the B-Specials book written by former The Impartial Reporter editor, the late Mervyn Dane.

"Mervyn 's book was a great source of information for me. I made extensive use of that book, and it was very helpful to me," added David.

The launch event will place this Friday, April 8 at St. Macartin's Cathedral Hall in Enniskillen, starting at 8pm.

The guest speaker on the night will be David Scott, the Outreach Officer for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, who is a relative of one of the B-Specials who was killed in Co. Fermanagh, James McInness.

There will also be a short demonstration from the UFC Historical Platoon from Omagh, and memorabilia from Co. Fermanagh will be on display.