Founded in 1965, the Abu Dhabi Defence Force was a precursor of the Union Defence Force, the country’s armed services.
They were distinct from the Trucial Scouts, created and officered by the British to keep order across what where then the seven Trucial States.
The ADDF continued to serve the emirate even after the formation of the UAE in December 1971, until six years later, when it became the Western Command of the Union Defence Force.
One of its early commanders was Lieutenant Colonel Mark Legg, responsible for developing the air wing and whose death, at the age 89 last month was recently announced.
These soldiers were photographed in 1969, guarding the Rulers of the seven emirates as they assembled in Abu Dhabi for a meeting to discuss unification, which had been agreed in principle but was still two years away.
The loss last week of 45 UAE soldiers in Yemen, along with six others who have already fallen there, is a reminder of the sacrifices that young men like those and these have always been ready to make for their homeland.
* James Langton
