1st April in wartime Northern Ireland

British Army cobblers, infantry soldiers, and Royal Artillery gunners were the focus of War Office photographers in Northern Ireland on 1st April 1941 and 1942.

British Army Cobblers

British Army cobblers honing their craft in a workshop, preparing sturdy footwear for use by British Troops in Northern Ireland on 1st April 1941.

Gunners in the Sperrins

Gunners of 77th (Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery at Crockawilla/Cnoc an Bhaile in the Sperrin Mountains on 1st April 1941.

Battery command post of 77th (Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery equipped with BL 6-inch Mark 19 26-cwt Howitzers at Crockawilla/Cnoc an Bhaile in the Sperrin Mountains near Draperstown, Co. Londonderry. — ©IWM H 8671 Info

Gunners of 77th (Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery equipped with BL 6-inch Mark 19 26-cwt Howitzers at Crockawilla/Cnoc an Bhaile in the Sperrin Mountains near Draperstown, Co. Londonderry. — ©IWM H 8672 Info

Training in the Mountains

Members of 148th Independent Infantry Brigade including artillery take part in Exercise Dragoon in the Sperrin Mountains, Co. Londonderry on 1st April 1942.

Members of 8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, 148th Independent Infantry Brigade with a portable wireless radio during a 20-mile march as part of Exercise Dragoon using live ammunition in the Sperrin Mountains near Draperstown, Co. Londonderry. — ©IWM H 18490 Info

A troop command post of 8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, 148th Independent Infantry Brigade with a portable wireless radio during a 20-mile march as part of Exercise Dragoon using live ammunition in the Sperrin Mountains near Draperstown, Co. Londonderry. — ©IWM H 18492 Info

Members of 150th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, 148th Independent Infantry Brigade with a 25-pounder gun as part of Exercise Dragoon using live ammunition in the Sperrin Mountains near Draperstown, Co. Londonderry. — ©IWM H 18493 Info

"Old Blood'n'Guts" in Armagh

On 1st April 1944, Lieutenant General George S. Patton and Major General Walter M. Robertson rolled into the city of Armagh in a United States Army Willys Jeep.

Lieutenant General George S. Patton inspects U.S. Army Infantry Divisions in Northern Ireland

30th March 1944

Between 30th March and 4th April 1944, Lieutenant General George S. Patton visited Northern Ireland, inspecting U.S. Army troops across Ulster.

Lieutenant General Patton delivers an address, quite possibly his famous speech, to men of the 2nd Infantry Division, U.S. Army at The Mall, Armagh, Co. Armagh on 1st April 1944. — © Unknown Info

Lieutenant General George S. Patton with Major General Walter Robertson pass in review of Third Army Troops in Armagh, Co. Armagh on 1st April 1944 prior to the Normandy invasion in June. — © Unknown Info

Remembered on 1st April

Samuel McCaughey Boal D.F.C.

37713

Wing Commander Samuel McCaughey Boal D.F.C. was the commanding officer of R.A.F. 217 Squadron at his time of death on 1st April 1942.

John Eyre Gisborne Gordon

71018

Captain John Eyre Gisborne Gordon of Delamont House, Killyleagh, Co. Down died on 1st April 1941 serving in an administrative role with the Royal Artillery.

Robert Rowley

1475265

Private Robert Rowley of Belfast served in the Army Catering Corps. He died on 1st April 1943 while serving alongside the Royal Artillery in Bangladesh.