Biography
David Ervine was the youngest of five children born to Walter and Elizabeth Ervine, and raised in a staunchly Protestant working-class area of east Belfast between the Albertbridge and Newtownards roads.His household was not loyalist at all, his father Walter described himself as a socalist, had no time for Ian Paisley and didn't attend church.When Ervine joined the Orange Order aged 18, he said he was the first member of his family to ever be a member.His membership however didn't last long. Like many in his situation, he grew up closely identifying with his community and absorbed the Ulster Unionism ideals and opinions that go along with this identity. He left Orangefield High School at 14, and at the age of 19 Ervine joined the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), believing this to be the only way to ensure the defence of the Protestant community after the events of Bloody Friday.A neighbour of Ervine's who was a member of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) William Irvine, had died in one of the bomb blasts on Bloody Friday. Before joining the UVF Ervine had attempted to join the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), but due to a misdemeanour in his childhood involving a stolen bicycle, he was refused entry.
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