Bangor, Co. Down during the Second World War

The coastal resort of Bangor, Co. Down on the edge of Belfast Lough was a hive of activity in the Second World War particularly in the run-up to D-Day.

Bangor

Co. Down

Northern Ireland

Bangor is a city in Co. Down, Northern Ireland. The seaside resort on the southern side of Belfast Lough falls within the Belfast Metropolitan Area in the province of Ulster.

The city is a commuter base for the Belfast area. Only 13.6 miles or 22km east of the city, it has links with the Northern Irish capital via the A2 road and a direct railway line. Bangor also lies close to the George Best Belfast City Airport.

Wartime Bangor

In the centre of Main Street, Bangor, Co. Down stood a pair of air raid shelters for use by the public. Many houses in the area had their own shelters and some still stand in back gardens around the city. American GIs would shop in Walker’s Irish Linen, keen to send home a piece of the “old country” and such was the popularity of Lightbody’s Fish and Chips, it became a military canteen. Military marching bands would often parade through the main street of the city as more troops arrived ahead of operations in Europe.

American Forces in Bangor

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

Featured image for R.F.A. Serbol bombs Bangor, Co. Down

R.F.A. Serbol bombs Bangor, Co. Down

By

2nd January 2019

On Tuesday 2nd January 1940, shells fell on Bangor, Co. Down. The unexpected source of the bombs was the R.F.A. Serbol, training in the mouth of Belfast Lough.

Featured image for The Luftwaffe’s first attack on Bangor, Co. Down

The Luftwaffe’s first attack on Bangor, Co. Down

By

13th September 2019

The first Luftwaffe attack on Bangor, Co. Down came on Friday 13th September 1940 as a lone plane dropped 22 incendiary devices on the small coastal town.

The sinking of S.S. Troutpool off Bangor, Co. Down

By

20th July 2018

On 20th July 1940, S.S. Troutpool went down in Belfast Lough near Bangor, Co. Down as pre-laid mines tore through the British cargo Steamer.

The Bangor Spitfire

By

12th August 2019

The Bangor Spitfire P7842, funded by the Belfast Telegraph Spitfire Fund and people of Co. Down, crash landed in Hampshire during the Second World War.

Air Raid Shelters

Bangor Borough Council, at their meeting on Tuesday evening, adopted the report of a committee which had placed contracts with a number of firms for the erection of 26 air raid shelters at a total cost of £3,457.

Belfast Telegraph – Wednesday 7th August 1940

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 Ashley Gardens, Bangor, Co. Down

Ashley Gardens, Bangor, Co. Down

Bangor, Co. Down

Ashley Gardens, Bangor, Co. Down took a direct hit from a Luftwaffe bomb as the Nazi air force launched the Belfast Blitz on Easter Monday and Tuesday 1941.

Map showing Ballyholme Bay, Bangor, Co. Down

Ballyholme Bay, Bangor, Co. Down

Seacliff Road, Bangor, Co. Down

In 1944, Ballyholme Bay in Bangor was a hive of activity. Shipyards carried out work for the Admiralty and US Navy landing ship craft beached off the shore.

Map showing Bangor Academy, Bangor, Co. Down

Bangor Academy, Bangor, Co. Down

2 Castle Park Road, Bangor, Co. Down

Bangor Academy merged Bangor Girls' High School and Gransha Boys' High School in 2001. During the 1940s, Kindertransport girls attended the Bangor school.

Map showing Bangor Grammar School, Bangor, Co. Down

Bangor Grammar School, Bangor, Co. Down

84 Gransha Road, Bangor, Co. Down

bangor Grammar School is an all-boys school in the coastal town of Bangor, Co. Down. It dates back to 1856, founded by Colonel The Honourable Robert Ward.

Map showing Bangor New Cemetery, Bangor, Co. Down

Bangor New Cemetery, Bangor, Co. Down

62 Newtownards Road, Bangor

Bangor New Cemetery on the Newtownards Road in Co. Down is the resting place of 40 servicemen who served in World War Two as well as victims of the Blitz.

Map showing Eisenhower Pier, Bangor, Co. Down

Eisenhower Pier, Bangor, Co. Down

Seacliff Road, Bangor, Co. Down

General Dwight D Eisenhower visited Bangor, Co. Down on the 18th-19th May 1944 adressing troops in the lead up to D-Day. The north pier now bears his name.

Map showing Hotel Pickie, Bangor, Co. Down

Hotel Pickie, Bangor, Co. Down

Princetown Avenue, Bangor, Co. Down

Between 1942 and 1944, the Hotel Pickie, Bangor, Co. Down became an American red Cross Club where many of the US troops could socialise while on leave.

Map showing Royal Hotel, Bangor, Co. Down

Royal Hotel, Bangor, Co. Down

Quay Street, Bangor, Co. Down

The Royal Hotel, Bangor, Co. Down stood proudly on the coastline for many years and throughout World War Two provided a base for the Royal Navy and US Navy.

Map showing St Comgall’s Catholic Church, Bangor, Co. Down

St Comgall’s Catholic Church, Bangor, Co. Down

27 Brunswick Road, Bangor, Co. Down

St Comgall's Catholic Church on Brunswick Street, Bangor, Co. Down held funeral services for three members of the Grattan family killed by enemy action.

Map showing Ward Park, Bangor, Co. Down

Ward Park, Bangor, Co. Down

Bangor, Co. Down

Ward Park is a beautiful people's park popular with locals and tourists alike. Visitors with a keen eye will notice a few reminders of wartime Bangor there.

References
  1. BBC Northern Ireland
  2. US Military History
  3. Wikipedia

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