Ballymena, Co. Antrim during the Second World War

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.

Ballymena

Co. Antrim

Northern Ireland

The Ballymena Spitfire

By

12th August 2019

The Ballymena Spitfire P7835, funded by the Belfast Telegraph Spitfure Fund, flew with many RAF Squadrons until its loss over France on 24th July 1941.

British Troops training in 1941

On 9th September 1941, soldiers from 4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, 148th Independent Infantry Brigade took part in a tactical training exercise crossing the River Maine outside Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

Royal Berkshire Regiment in Co. Antrim
British Army Cyclists cross the River Maine
Bren Gun Carrier on the River Maine, Co. Antrim
4.5 Howitzer and Lorry on the River Maine
4.5 Howitzer and Lorry in Co. Antrim
Royal Berkshire Regiment construct a Raft
British Army training on the River Maine
Royal Berkshire Regiment cross the River Maine
British Soldiers cross a Co. Antrim River
Royal Berkshire Regiment on the River Maine
British Gunner on a Railway Embankment
Wireless Communications on the River Maine
Brigadier H.M. Hibbert D.S.O. and Lieutenant Colonel B. Hawkins
Brigadier H.B. Hibbert in Northern Ireland
Brigadier H.B. Hibbert and War Correspondents

Valentine Tanks and British Troops

Soldiers of 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers and North Irish Horse Valentine Tanks on an exercise in Ballymena, Co. Antrim and the surrounding countryside on 19th September 1941.

‘Captain Cuttle’ on a training exercise
Tank crews training in Co. Antrim
Tank crews training in Ulster
Tank crews training in Northern Ireland
Cows and Tanks in Co. Antrim
Valentine Tank and Train in Co. Antrim
Valentine Tanks in Co. Antrim
Valentine Tanks in Ulster
A
Valentine Tank and thatched cottage
Herbert Hill of the Belfast Telegraph
Matt Irvine of the Northern Whig
Anti-Tank Rifleman in Co. Antrim
South Wales Borderers in Co. Antrim
Bren Gunner in Co. Antrim

American Forces

The following American forces were based in the Co. Antrim town between 1943 and 1944. If you have more information on exact bases, please get in touch.

Start Date End Date Units
1942 14th Ordnance Company (Medium Maintenance) (VCorps).
1943 Headquarters, 34th Infantry Division.
19th November 1943 12th March 1944 Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 307th Quartermaster Sterilization Battalion.
23rd November 1943 Quartermaster Depot Q-111BA
7th December 1943 10th March 1944 577th Army Postal Unit.
22nd December 1943 25th May 1944 68th Station Hospital (250 Beds).
3rd April 1944 2nd June 1944 285th Military Police Company (Post, Camp or Station).
12th April 1944 8th May 1944 54th Finance Disbursing Section.

Places of Interest

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

Map showing Ballymena New Cemetery, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Ballymena New Cemetery, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

114 Cushendall Road, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

The New Cemetery, Cushendall Road, Ballymena, Co. Antrim is the final resting place of several members of the armed services who saw action in WW2.

Map showing Brookvale House, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Brookvale House, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

26 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

The Police Service of Northern Ireland station in Ballymena, Co. Antrim stands on the site of Brookvale House where the US Army established a base in 1942.

Map showing Ballymena Town Hall, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Ballymena Town Hall, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

The Town Hall, Ballymena, Co. Antrim has stood at its present site since 1924. During World War Two, troops of the Belgian Army based nearby came to dance.

Map showing St. Patrick’s Barracks, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

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.

Map showing YMCA Canteen, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

YMCA Canteen, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Wellington Street, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

The YMCA Canteen, Ballymena, Co. Antrim was a popular place for serving military personnel to rest, relax and enjoy leisure activities during World War Two.