31st March - WartimeNI

Yes! We Have No Bananas

'Yes! We Have No Bananas' is a series of stories and reminisces of 24 people who experienced life during the Second World War in Northern Ireland.

A second contingent of the United States Army arrives in Northern Ireland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On 20th February 1943, the people of Belfast commemorated "Red Army Day" with a large military parade through the city attended by dignitaries.

Royal Navy men drowned in Belfast Lough, Co. Down

By Scott Edgar

31st March 2019

On 31st March 1945, a small yacht carrying men from HMS Sarawak overturned. Five of those on the boat drowned in Belfast Lough leaving only one survivor.

Remembering the Fallen

John James Caves

Sergeant | 7020145

Sergeant John James Caves served in 1st Glider Pilot Regiment during World War Two. He saw action at Normandy and became a POW at Arnhem in September 1944.

Samuel Geoffrey Crimes

Lieutenant

Lieutenant Samuel Geoffrey Crimes died on 31st March 1945. He was one of 5 men to drown that day while serving on HMS Sarawak in Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim.

Tom Harrison Raven

Lieutenant | S/4667

While serving on HMS Sarawak with the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve, Lieutenant Tom Harrison Raven died on 31st March 1945 in Belfast Lough.

James Smyth

Flight Sergeant | 1504638

Flight Sergeant James Smyth of Moneynick, Co. Antrim died on 31st March 1944 on a night time Bomber Command raid to Nürnberg, Germany with RAF 166 Squadron.