Throughout most of 1913 it was rather difficult for the police and Ulster unionists themselves to define the difference between UVF units proper and Unionist Clubs that were drilling with increasing frequency. Indeed, in South Down there were unseemly demarcation disputes between Unionist Clubs and UVF headquarters over who should appoint officers for the new force. This confusion only seems to have been resolved in September 1913, when Sir Edward Carson sent a circular letter to all Unionist Clubs calling on all of their eligible members to join the UVF.
