evidence: But weeks turned to years and Operation Banner, as the Army refers to the Troubles, lasted from 1969 to 2007, costing it hundreds of lives. Paul Young was a soldier in the Household Cavalry who served in Northern Ireland during the early years of the Troubles. [...] "We didn't go out with murder in mind," said David Crabbe, who represents Decorum NI, a support group for security force veterans, and who served in the Ulster Defence Regiment.