11th March in wartime Northern Ireland

On 11th March 1941, officers affiliated to British Troops in Northern Ireland (B.T.N.I.) posed for a photograph highlighting the need to 'Dig For Victory'.

A number of officers with British Troops in Northern Ireland (B.T.N.I.) pose for a photograph for the 'Dig For Victory' campaign. Among them is the well-known broadcaster Arthur Marshall. — ©IWM H 8055 Info

Bofors Guns at Ballykinler

On 11th March 1942, Anti-Aircraft Gun training took place at Ballykinler, Co. Down. Members of the A.T.S. recorded the results of the Royal Artillery testing.

Gunners take a break and queue at the Y.M.C.A. Mobile Canteen. This exercise at 17th Anti-Aircraft Practise Camp, Ballykinlar, Co. Down involved the firing of Bofors Guns at a 'kite' towed behind a military plane. — ©IWM H 17859 Info

Gunners firing a Bofors Gun. This exercise at 17th Anti-Aircraft Practise Camp, Ballykinlar, Co. Down involved the firing of Bofors Guns at a 'kite' towed behind a military plane. — ©IWM H 17860 Info

Gunners preparing to fire a Bofors Gun. This exercise at 17th Anti-Aircraft Practise Camp, Ballykinlar, Co. Down involved the firing of Bofors Guns at a 'kite' towed behind a military plane. — ©IWM H 17862 Info

Gunners sighting a target before firing a Bofors Gun. This exercise at 17th Anti-Aircraft Practise Camp, Ballykinlar, Co. Down involved the firing of Bofors Guns at a 'kite' towed behind a military plane. — ©IWM H 17863 Info

Members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service record the results of the firing test. This exercise at 17th Anti-Aircraft Practise Camp, Ballykinlar, Co. Down involved the firing of Bofors Guns at a 'kite' towed behind a military plane. — ©IWM H 17864 Info

Gunners loading a Bofors Gun. This exercise at 17th Anti-Aircraft Practise Camp, Ballykinlar, Co. Down involved the firing of Bofors Guns at a 'kite' towed behind a military plane. — ©IWM H 17866 Info

Gunners changing the barrel of a Bofors Gun. This exercise at 17th Anti-Aircraft Practise Camp, Ballykinlar, Co. Down involved the firing of Bofors Guns at a 'kite' towed behind a military plane. — ©IWM H 17868 Info

Gunners use a ‘Predictor’ while others load a Bofors Gun. This exercise at 17th Anti-Aircraft Practise Camp, Ballykinlar, Co. Down involved the firing of Bofors Guns at a 'kite' towed behind a military plane. — ©IWM H 17869 Info

Remembered on 11th March

Matthew Thomas Archer

D/JX 193627

Petty Officer Matthew Thomas Archer died as a result of the sinking of merchant vessel S.S. Empire Impala in 1943. His name is on the Portadown War Memorial.