Crom Castle and Estate lies on the shore of Upper Lough Erne, close to the village of Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh. Beginning in November 1940, the War Office requisitioned parts of the site for use by British troops and eventually American GIs.
The current Crom Castle, designed by Edward Blore, dates back to the early 19th Century. The ruins of the old castle now belong to the National Trust. They acquired part of the Estate and outbuildings in 1988. It burnt to the ground in 1764 as a result of a domestic accident, having survived 2 sieges during Jacobite Rebellions.
Imperial War Museum Photo: (H 15207) (Part of the War Office Second World War Official Collection) An Infantry Section of 6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders taking part in a training exercise at Crom Castle and Estate, Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh during the Second World War. Copyright Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge - War Office Photographer.
Ownership of Crom Castle passed to the Henry George Victor John Crichton, the 6th Earl of Erne in 1940 following the death of his father John Crichton, the 5th Earl of Erne. Henry was born on 9th July 1937 and so was only a child. Therefore, control of the Estate was in the hands of a board of trustees for 18 years.
By the time, American Forces arrived at Crom Estate, there was a camp of over 100 Nissen Huts. Huts stood in the area around the riding school and visitors to the Estate may still find concrete bases remaining on the site. Soldiers made use of these huts while Officers resided in the main house of Crom Castle. Around 800 service personnel from the United States Military were at Crom Estate at any given time during their stay there.
British Forces
The following British Forces were based at Crom Castle, Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh during the Second World War.
| Star Date | End Date | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| 6th April 1941 | 6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders | |
| 6th April 1941 | 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment | |
| January 1942 | January 1943 | 6th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment |
| March 1942 | May 1942 | 4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment |
| March 1942 | June 1942 | Royal Engineers |
Seaforth Highlanders at Crom Estate
In 1941, War Office Photographer Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge captured a series of pictures showing soldiers of 6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders on parade and training at Crom Castle and Estate, Co. Fermanagh.
American Forces
The following American Forces were based at Crom Castle, Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh during the Second World War.
| Start Date | End Date | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| 28th August 1942 | January 1943 | B Company, 804th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 34th Infantry Division |
| 16th December 1943 | June 1944 | 3rd Battalion, 28th Infantry, 8th Infantry Division |
Public Domain Photo: 804th Tank Destroyer Battalion attached to 34th Infantry Division, United States Army at Crom Castle, Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh. Date of photo unknown. Copyright unknown.
Crom Estate in Wartime
Soldiers of both British and American regiments made use of the extensive lands of the Crom Estate during the Second World War. Rifle Ranges, Mortar Ranges, and Bombing Ranges appeared on the Old Castle Green, the Old Castle Lawns, and Inishfendra Parkland. Keeping soldiers fit was of great importance, and the Old Castle Green area also boasted a football pitch and an assault course. Remnants of the assault course may still stand on the estate today.
Where there are troops in wartime, there are also vehicles. Tanks, trucks, and Jeeps would have been familiar sights around the estate and surrounding villages. The Crom Estate had an area set aside for the washing of military vehicles. Visitors to the Riding School area of the complex today can also still see a 1940s petrol pump that would have seen use at the time.
Throughout the Second World War, the Crom Land Agent made several complaints to the War Department. Reports included allegations of the shotting of cattle and the overuse of water, as well as damage caused by training activities. This included damage to the demesne avenues, castle interiors, and estate buildings caused by explosions. Anecdotal evidence suggests General Dwight D. Eisenhower made a stop at Crom Castle during his visit to Northern Ireland in 1944.
On 4th April 1946, the War Office derequisitioned Crom Castle and Estate and life began to return to normal in and around Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh.
Imperial War Museum Photo: (H 15210) (Part of the War Office Second World War Official Collection) Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Cameron, and his son Private Cameron of 6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders at Crom Castle and Estate, Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh during the Second World War. Copyright Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge - War Office Photographer.
Stories of American Troops
In ‘The Crom Story’ by Vicki Herbert, the story of a particular soldier based on the Crom Estate came to light; that of Damian Baca of 814 Dunlap Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.A. In the early 1990s, Bert Robinson, a Clerk of Works for the National Trust, found one of Baca’s dog tags during the refurbishment of an old carpenter’s shop in the Forge Yard.
In 2013, Manager at Crom Castle Noel Johnston found a wartime artifact in the castle attic. He spoke about the find to a journalist from the Impartial Reporter newspaper following a St. Patrick’s Day event.
I found an old American helmet in the attic. It is one of the very first helmets made pre-war and the people who have been taking part in today’s event say they have never seen anything like it. It is nice finding treasures such as that.
70th Anniversary of D-Day
In June 2014, an event took place in the ground of Crom Castle, Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh to mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. The Stars and Stripes flew atop the castle and a swing band played hits from the 1940s on the grounds. A selection of Second World War-era military vehicles also parked up in the demesne. Among the distinguished guests was local Royal Air Force veteran Bill Eames and Mr. Gregory Burton (U.S. Consul for Northern Ireland).
The 6th Earl of Erne died on 23rd December 2015 aged 78 years old. He and his wife Camilla lived in Crom Castle after their marriage in 1958. His son John succeeded him as 7th Earl of Erne and the owner of Crom Castle.