Co. Down
During the Second World War, the Mourne Mountains, Co. Down provided a training ground for troops as well as a hazard to military planes on training exercises.
British and American troops made use of the countryside and rivers around Downpatrick, Co. Down for training. Later in the war, evacuees arrived from Gibraltar.
Downpatrick Co. Down
On 20th January 1942, Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge visited English Street, Downpatrick, Co. Down. There, he photographed an inspection of 116th Field Regiment.
11th January 1942
On 11th January 1942, workers from a munitions factory in Northern Ireland experienced the opportunity of operating guns alongside a Royal Artillery battery.
6th January 1942
On 6th January 1942, a manslaughter trial took place in Portadown, Co. Armagh. In the dock was a local soldier from the neighbouring town of Gilford, Co. Down.
4th January 1942
On 4th January, we remember those with connections to Northern Ireland who died on this date in the Second World War including members of the Royal Artillery.
6th December 1941
On 6th December 1941, 59th (Staffordshire) Reconnaissance Regiment undertook motorcycle training on the terrain of the sandhills at Ballykinler, Co. Down.
5th November 1941
On 5th November 1941, Lieutenant Bainbridge photographed members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service as they undertook work at a petrol distributing centre.
14th October 1941
On 14th October 1941, British troops took part in a training exercise near Coleraine. The following year would see a royal visitor journey throughout Ulster.
During the Second World War, S.S. Bereby ran aground off the coast of Ardglass, Co. Down. The British Army unloaded the stranded equipment and supplies.
9th October 1941
9th October marks two plane crashes in Northern Ireland - a Spitfire in the hands of a Polish pilot in 1943, and that of a Corsair in Lough Foyle in 1944.
26th September 1941
On 26th September 1943, a Battle of Britain commemoration parade took place in Belfast. Two years earlier an A.T.S. Motor Transport Company showed their skills.