5th May in wartime Northern Ireland

Glenravel Street R.U.C. Barracks

In the early hours of 5th May 1941, Luftwaffe bombs on Belfast demolished the R.U.C. Barracks at Glenravel Street causing the death of five serving constables.

Martin Robert Armstrong

R.U.C. Constable Martin Robert Armstrong died on 5th May 1941 when the Barracks on Glenravel Street in North Belfast took a direct hit from a Luftwaffe bomb.

Hugh Campbell

Constable Hugh Campbell was one of several members of the R.U.C. killed as a result of a Luftwaffe bomb exploding at the Glenravel Barracks.

William James Lemon

R.U.C. Constable William James "Pete" Lemon was one of five young constables who died on 5th May 1941 when the police barracks took a direct hit from a bomb.

James McKenna

Constable James McKenna died on 5th May 1941 aged 21 years old as the Royal Ulster Constabulary Barracks, Glenravel Street, Belfast took a direct hit.

Robert Reid

R.U.C. Constable Robert Reid of Ballymena, Co. Antrim was a fatality in the Fire Raid of the Belfast Blitz when a high explosive bomb destroyed the barracks.

9th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment in the Blitz

During the Fire Raid of the Belfast Blitz, seven members of 9th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment died as a result of enemy action over East Belfast.

William George Morgan

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Private William George Morgan served in 9th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment at his time of death on 5th May 1941 as Luftwaffe bombs fell across East Belfast.

Herbert Owen Perkins

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Private Herbert Owen Perkins served in 9th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment at his time of death on 5th May 1941 as Luftwaffe bombs fell across East Belfast.

Harold Herbert Peters

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Private Harold Herbert Peters served in 9th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment at his time of death on 5th May 1941 as Luftwaffe bombs fell across East Belfast.

Thomas Price

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Private Thomas Price of London served in 9th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment at his time of death on 5th May 1941 as Luftwaffe bombs fell across East Belfast.

Joseph Rooney

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Footballer Corporal Joseph Rooney served in 9th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment at his time of death on 5th May 1941 as Luftwaffe bombs fell across East Belfast.

John Reynolds Ross

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Private John "Jack" Reynolds Ross served in 9th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment at his time of death on 5th May 1941 as Luftwaffe bombs fell across East Belfast.

Alfred John Rowley

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Private Alfred John Rowley served in 9th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment at his time of death on 5th May 1941 as Luftwaffe bombs fell across East Belfast.

No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps

During the Fire Raid of the Belfast Blitz, several members of No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps died as bombs fell on billets at No. 24 (London) General Hospital and Eglington Street P.E.S.

Leonard Charles Christian

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Private Leonard Charles Christian served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death at No. 24 (London) General Hospital, Belfast in May 1941.

Eric Dennant

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Private Eric Dennant of Banbridge served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death at No. 24 (London) General Hospital, Belfast in May 1941.

Tom Heeson Gibson

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Private Tom Heeson Gibson served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death while billeted in Belfast during the Fire Raid of 4th-5th May 1941.

Leon Guglielmazzi

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Corporal Leon Guglielmazzi served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death at No. 24 (London) General Hospital, Belfast in May 1941.

John Nelson Hamilton

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John Nelson Hamilton served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death while billeted in Belfast during the Fire Raid of 4th-5th May 1941.

John Thomas Harris

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Lance Corporal John Thomas Harris served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death at No. 24 (London) General Hospital, Belfast in May 1941.

Edward Valentine Hemelryk D.S.O., T.D.

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Major Edward Valentine Hemelryk served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death at No. 24 (London) General Hospital, Belfast in May 1941.

Thomas Keane

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Corporal Thomas Keane served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death while billeted in Belfast during the Fire Raid of 4th-5th May 1941.

Felix Marasi

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Private Felix Marasi served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death at No. 24 (London) General Hospital, Belfast in May 1941.

James Simon Moore

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Private James Simon Moore served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death at No. 24 (London) General Hospital, Belfast in May 1941.

James Osben

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Private James Osben served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death while billeted in Belfast during the Fire Raid of 4th-5th May 1941.

Harry Norman Pickup

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Lance Corporal Harry Norman Pickup served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death at No. 24 (London) General Hospital, Belfast in May 1941.

Kenneth Lawrence Shaw

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Private Kenneth Lawrence Shaw served in No. 173 Company, The Pioneer Corps at his time of death at No. 24 (London) General Hospital, Belfast in May 1941.

Patients at No. 24 (London) General Hospital

As well as billeted members of the British Army and medics, a number of patients undergoing treatment died as a result of the bombing of the military hospital in East Belfast.

John McCunnie

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Fusilier John McCunnie was a promising young footballer on the left-wing with Glenavon F.C. before his untimely death during the Belfast Blitz on 5th May 1941.

Working the land at Shane's Castle

On 5th May 1942, soldiers of the British Army and United States Army underwent tuition in agricultural techniques on farmland near Shane's Castle, Co. Antrim.

A greenhouse full of tomato plants on farmland near Shane's Castle, Randalstown, Co. Antrim. During the Second World War, soldiers based in Northern Ireland received tuition in agricultural techniques to help with the war effort. — ©IWM H 19501 Info

Fruit trees in a walled garden on farmland near Shane's Castle, Randalstown, Co. Antrim. During the Second World War, soldiers based in Northern Ireland received tuition in agricultural techniques to help with the war effort. — ©IWM H 19502 Info

A walled garden on farmland near Shane's Castle, Randalstown, Co. Antrim. During the Second World War, soldiers based in Northern Ireland received tuition in agricultural techniques to help with the war effort. — ©IWM H 19503 Info

A soldier on a tractor rolls a 20-acre field on farmland near Shane's Castle, Randalstown, Co. Antrim. During the Second World War, soldiers based in Northern Ireland received tuition in agricultural techniques to help with the war effort. — ©IWM H 19504 Info

Soldiers with a tractor roll a 20-acre field on farmland near Shane's Castle, Randalstown, Co. Antrim. During the Second World War, soldiers based in Northern Ireland received tuition in agricultural techniques to help with the war effort. — ©IWM H 19505 Info

A rolled 20-acre field on farmland near Shane's Castle, Randalstown, Co. Antrim. During the Second World War, soldiers based in Northern Ireland received tuition in agricultural techniques to help with the war effort. — ©IWM H 19506 Info

American soldiers take a well-earned rest on farmland near Shane's Castle, Randalstown, Co. Antrim. During the Second World War, soldiers based in Northern Ireland received tuition in agricultural techniques to help with the war effort. — ©IWM H 19507 Info

Soldiers sowing corn using a fiddle on farmland near Shane's Castle, Randalstown, Co. Antrim. During the Second World War, soldiers based in Northern Ireland received tuition in agricultural techniques to help with the war effort. — ©IWM H 19508 Info

Cattle grazing on farmland near Shane's Castle, Randalstown, Co. Antrim. During the Second World War, soldiers based in Northern Ireland received tuition in agricultural techniques to help with the war effort. — ©IWM H 19510 Info

Remembered on 5th May

William Humphreys Gregg

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Flight Sergeant William Humphreys Gregg of Purdysburn, Co. Down died on 5th May 1942 while on a bombing run over Germany with R.A.F. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron.