Wartime Co. Antrim

During the Second World War, Co. Antrim in Northern Ireland hosted RAF and USAAF airfields, evacuee camps, and bases and training grounds for American GIs.

Co. Antrim

Northern Ireland

The historic Co. Antrim takes its name from the old town name of Aontroim, the Irish word for a lone ridge. Covering an area of around 3,046 square kilometres, it shares borders with Co. Down to the south and Co. Londonderry to the west.

During the Second World War, troops made use of the spectacular landscape, including the wild and rugged coastline, and the Glens of Antrim. British, American, and Belgian troops all passed through Co. Antrim where many airfields also saw the arrival of Australian and New Zealander forces to Ulster.

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland — Australian War Memorial Photo: P00687.831. Pilot Officer Cyril Hampden Isaacs sits in the Wishing Chair at the Giant's Causeway, one of Northern Ireland's most famous visitor attractions in August 1945. Copyright Cyril Hampden Isaac.

Places of Interest

The following places will be of interest to anyone wishing to explore more of the area's Second World War heritage.

Antrim, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

During the Second World War, the town of Antrim, Co. Antrim was the scene of a racially motivated attack causing the death of an American GI.

Ballycarry, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

Ballycarry, Co. Antrim was the birthplace of Sir James Steele, who signed the mobilisation order in 1939, and took part in Dunkirk and the D-Day Landings.

Ballycastle, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

On 18th October 1943, Avro Anson N5372 came down on the high ground of Knocklayd Mountain near the quiet north-coast town of Ballycastle, Co. Antrim.

Ballyclare, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

Between 1942-1944, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim hosted American troops. The area was also used by the British Army's Royal Engineers during the Second World War.

Ballymena, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

From the start of the Second World War, Ballymena was home to British troops. The town continued to host troops until 1945 when the Belgian Army arrived.

Ballymoney, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

During the Second World War, the town of Ballymoney, Co. Antrim was the scene of the crash of the Chance Vought Corsair JT692 of Sub-Lieutenant Ross.

Broughshane, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

The Co. Antrim village of Broughshane hosted British and American troops during the Second World War. In 1944, evacuees from Gibraltar arrived in the area.

Bushmills, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

Elements of the British Army including 9th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment trained in the area around Bushmills, Co. Antrim in wartime.

Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

During the Second World War, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim hosted British and Belgian troops and was the birthplace of the U.S. Rangers.

Cullybackey, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

During the Second World War, factories such as the Maine Works in Cullybackey, Co. Antrim manufactured shell casings as part of the ongoing war effort.

Dunadry, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

During the Second World War, soldiers from 8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters trained along the Six Mile Water near Dunadry, Co. Antrim.

Dundrod, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

The village of Dundrod, Co. Antrim celebrated the end of the Second World War in the Pacific with a night of celebration on V.J. Day in 1945.

Dunmurry, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

The period after the Second World War brought change to Dunmurry, Co. Antrim. In wartime, it provided a base for troops and a refuge for Blitz evacuees.

Finaghy, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

The Second World War in Finaghy, Co. Antrim saw the arrival of troops from Britain and the United States of America as well as German POWs at Taughmonagh.

Glenariff, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

On 30th January 1940, during the Second World War, the R.A.F's Avro Anson N4943 came down on high ground in a heavy snowstorm near Glenariff, Co. Antrim.

Glenavy, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

The village of Glenavy, Co. Antrim marked the end of the Second World War in the Pacific with celebrations to mark V.J. Day in August 1945.

Islandmagee, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

During the Second World War, American GIs undergoing training in nearby Ballycarry frequented The Rinkha Dancehall in Islandmagee, Co. Antrim.

Kells, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

During the Second World War, a Camp for Gibraltarian Evacuees occupied land off the Craigstown Road in the quiet, rural village of Kells, Co. Antrim.

Larne, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

The town of Larne, Co. Antrim played an important role in the Second World War. It was the first point of arrival for many service personnel.

Lisburn, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

Lisburn lies partly in Co. Antrim and Co. Down. During the Second World War, it saw much activity with troops of many nations in the area.

Newferry, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

Newferry lies on the River Bann, the border between Co. Antrim and Co. Londonderry. During the Second World War, soldiers trained in the area.

Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

Although Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim did not exist until 1958, the villages in the area to the north of Belfast welcomed service personnel during wartime.

Portballintrae, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

R.A.F. Vickers Wellington DV664 shattered the peace and quiet in Portballintrae, Co. Antrim as the Second World War bomber plunged into the sea in 1943.

Portrush, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

Large concrete defensive structures dating from the Second World War remain lookinf out over the Atlantic Ocean in Portrush, Co. Antrim.

Randalstown, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

During the Second World War, troops based in and around Randalstown, Co. Antrim prepared for the war and harvested crops in the fields.

Whitehead, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

Co. Antrim

Towards the end of the Second World War, Whitehead, Co. Antrim was home to soldiers of the newly-formed 3rd (Rumbeke) Infantry Brigade of the Belgian Army.

References

Wikipedia