Gusty Spence

Augustus 'Gusty' Spence (born 28th June 1933) is a former leader of the Ulster Volunteer Force, Loyalist politician and soldier in the British Army.

UVF

In 1961, Spence retired from the Royal Irish Rifles, which he had joined in 1957, on the grounds of ill health. Some time in 1965 or 1966, he became involved with a group calling itself the 'Shankill UVF'. Spence communicated with the news media with the pen name William Johnston. On the 21st of May, 1966, a statement was given to Belfast newspapers, declaring war on the IRA, signed 'Captain William Johnston, Adjutant, First Battalion, Belfast UVF'.

The IRA had been relatively dormant at this time, having mounted a recent unsuccessful and poorly supported campaign of violence which petered out by 1962. However, the fiftieth anniversary of the Easter Rising had passed and some Loyalists had feared a resurgence of IRA activity.