Ballymena, Co. Antrim and the surrounding landscapes made for an ideal base and training ground for soldiers of the British Army early in the Second World War.
On 9th September 1941, soldiers of 4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, 148th Independent Infantry Brigade trained between Antrim Town and Ballymena.
On 19th September 1941, soldiers of South Wales Borderers and the North Irish Horse took part in an exercise that saw Valentine Tanks roll through Ballymena.