Activities carried out by the YCV included throwing petrol bombs at Catholic homes. In late 1974 the head of the YCV, who was not identified, even became the Chief of Staff of the UVF itself after a power struggle with the incumbent
Ken Gibson. The group expanded beyond Belfast into other UVF areas, notably
Mid-Ulster where
Billy Wright joined the group at around the age of 14.
Eddie Kinner, who went to hold leading positions in both the UVF and the
Progressive Unionist Party, was also a member and demonstrated his support by sporting the initials YCV on his school bag. In late 1974 two Catholics, Michael Loughran and Eddie Morgan, were shot and killed by two YCV members, Billy Hutchinson and Thomas Winstone, on the
Falls Road. During the subsequent trial, at which both defendants were convicted of murder, a
Royal Ulster Constabulary officer giving evidence stated that the YCV had been reformed solely as a sectarian group to kill Catholics. Although their profile fell somewhat after Hutchinson's imprisonment the YCV continued to exist alongside the UVF for the duration of
the Troubles and beyond. In 2001 it was reported by Pastor Jack McKee, a
born-again Christian preacher noted for his anti-paramilitary activity, that in secondary schools around the Shankill some pupils had to be let out at different times and from different gates depending on whether they were members of the YCV or UYM, due to a
loyalist feud that was ongoing between the UVF and the
UDA West Belfast Brigade. Along with those of the UVF and the
Red Hand Commando (RHC), YCV flags are regularly carried by loyalist flute band colour parties during the
marching season, particularly in Belfast. The YCV is not listed a proscribed organisation by the British government although its UVF parent organisation is included on the list. ==See also==