On 26th January 1942, 63rd Signal Battalion were one of the first US Army units to arrive in Northern Ireland, establishing communications for V Corps.
Activation of 63rd Signal Battalion took place at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana on 1st June 1941. Within 2 months, the unit strength was 24 officers and 456 enlisted soldiers. They trained in Louisiana and South Carolina before receiving notice in December 1942 that they were ready to go overseas.
On 15th January 1942, 63rd Signal Battalion left New York, New York on USAT Chateau Thierry along with elements of 34th Infantry Division. Along with other units of the United States Army, they arrived at Belfast, Co. Antrim on 26th January 1942.
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Lloyd A Keisler recalled there not being enough room on the troopship. He had to march one unit of his soldiers back off the ship for them to follow at a later date.
On arrival in Northern Ireland, 63rd Signal Battalion trained and operated communications for V Corps. They were one of the units inspected by American Ambassador Mr. John G Winant during his visit to Northern Ireland on 18th February 1942.
By 10th August 1942, the unit strength was 33 officers and 898 enlisted soldiers. The battalion consisted of a Headquarters, A, B, and C company by the end of its time in Ulster. On 26th September 1942, the battalion departed for Shrivenham, Oxfordshire. From there, they would leave to take part in Operation Torch – the invasion of North Africa.
On 2nd March 1942, the second contingent of U.S. Army troops arrived at Belfast Docks in Northern Ireland joining those who arrived some weeks earlier.
Oscar, the luckiest cat in wartime Northern Ireland
Oscar, a little black and white cat, survived the sinking of Bismarck, H.M.S. Cossack, and H.M.S. Ark Royal before finding fame in a sailors' home in Ulster.
Samuel Quigley
Guardsman
Samuel Quigley of Muckamore, Co. Antrim served in 2nd Battalion Irish Guards. He met his wife Freda in unusual circumstances during the Second World War.
Whitespots Leadmines, Conlig, Co. Down
The Old Leadmines, Conlig, Co. Down
In April 1941, a total of 70 competitors from the military took part in rigorous off-road motorcycle trials around the old Whitespots Leadmines.
Conlig, Co. Down during the Second World War
Co. Down
During the Second World War, rough terrain motorcycle trials and training exercises took place around the disused leadmines near Conlig, Co. Down.
Bristol Beaufort AW277 crash on Colin Mountain, Co. Antrim
At around 0400hrs on 29th March 1943, Bristol Beaufort AW277 came down on Colin Mountain, Co. Antrim killing 4 crew members of No. 5 O.T.U.
St. Patrick’s Barracks, Ballymena, Co. Antrim
Demesne Avenue, Ballymena, Co. Antrim
From November 1942 - December 1943, the British Army's General Service Corps No. 12 Primary Training Centre was at St. Patrick's Barracks, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
Army Salvage Depot, Doagh, Co. Antrim
Mill Road, Doagh, Co. Anrim
During the Second World War, the Army Salvage Depot in Doagh, Co. Antrim operated from the site of the railway station that had lain unused since 1930.
Dunmore Park Barracks, Ashfield Crescent, Belfast
Ashfield Crescent, Belfast
During the Second World War, the Dunmore Park Barracks in North Belfast was a base for Home Defence Battalions of the Royal Ulster Rifles.
Wartime Lough Neagh
During the Second World War, Lough Neagh was a valuable asset for the military in Northern Ireland who used the waters for training purposes.
“Red Army Day” celebrations on the streets of Belfast
