Northern Ireland has a proud aviation history. During the Second World War, there were several military airfields in operation in the country such as RAF Sydenham and RAF Long Kesh. The USAAF and Polish Squadrons of the Royal Air Force temporarily called Ulster home and the Battle of the Atlantic is well-documented.
From July to October 1940, the Battle of Britain raged in the skies over the United Kingdom. The name “Battle of Britain” was first used on 18th June 1940 in a speech from Winston Churchill to the House of Commons.
What General Weygand has called The Battle of France is over. The Battle of Britain is about to begin.
Hitler’s Luftwaffe increased attacks on the United Kingdom and the Royal Air Force valiantly defended the skies. The British military recognises the campaign as lasting from 10th July 1940 to 31st October 1940. German historians disagree, including the Blitz which means the battle went on until June 1941.
Imperial War Museum Photo: (Part of the Air Ministry Official Collection). Supermarine Spitfire Mark IAs (DW-K DW-O), flank the Spitfire DW-Q of Sergeant Sydney Ireland of 610 Squadron, Royal Air Force based at Biggin Hill, Kent, flying in 'vic' formation. Copyright Flight Lieutenant Bertrand John Henry Daventry.
Nazi Germany’s main objective was to force Britain into a peace agreement. The Luftwaffe first targetted convoys and ports. By August, attention had shifted to incapacitating RAF Fighter Command by hitting airfields and manufacturing factories.
The men of Royal Air Force Fighter Command were among the bravest in Britain. On 20th August 1940, British Prime Minister Churchill paid tribute to them:
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
Many of these airmen had connections to Northern Ireland and served in the Battle of Britain. Several perished in the 1940 dogfights while many others would not survive the war. As well as pilots, Northern Irish men and women made up some of the Royal Air Force’s ground crew.
If we hadn’t won the Battle of Britain the Nazis would have invaded England and there’s no doubt about it. We would not have the freedom that we have today and Northern Ireland’s fighter pilots played a key role.
John Hewitt – Aviation Historian in 2010
Killed during the Battle of Britain
The following members of the Royal Air Force with connections to Northern Ireland died during the Battle of Britain.
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fenemore | Stanley Allen | Sergeant | Killed on 15th October 1940 during the Battle of Britain. |
| Green | Alexander William Valentine | Pilot Officer | Killed on 11th September 1940 during the Battle of Britain. |
| Green | Maurice David | Pilot Officer | Killed on 20th October 1940 during the Battle of Britain. |
| Ireland | Sydney | Sergeant | Killed on 12th July 1940 during the Battle of Britain. |
| Thompson | Joseph Beckett | Sergeant | Killed on 31st July 1940 during the Battle of Britain. |
Killed during the Second World War
The following members of the Royal Air Force with connections to Northern Ireland served in the Battle of Britain and died during the Second World War.
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badger | John Vincent Clarence | Squadron Leader | Died on 30th June 1941 of wounds sustained in the Battle of Britain. |
| Beggs | Henry William | Lieutenant | Killed on 15th November 1942. |
| Berkley | Thomas Colqhoun Edmonds | Sergeant | Killed on 14th June 1941. |
| Haire | John Keatinge | Sergeant | Killed on 6th November 1940. |
| Hare | Maxwell Templeton | Sergeant | Killed on 30th June 1941. |
| Lovell | Anthony Desmond Joseph | Wing Commander | Killed on 17th August 1945. |
| McAdam | John | Sergeant | Killed on 20th February 1941. |
| McCann | Thomas Andrew | Sergeant | Killed on 27th July 1942. |
| Montgomery | Cecil Robert | Pilot Officer | Killed on 14th August 1941. |
| Skillen | Victor Hall | Sergeant | Killed on 11th March 1941. |
Survivors of the Second World War
The following members of the Royal Air Force with connections to Northern Ireland served in the Battle of Britain and survived the Second World War.
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beamish | Francis Victor | Wing Commander | Survived the Second World War. |
| Beatty | Marcus Alfred | Sergeant | Survived the Second World War. |
| Calderwood | Thomas Morrow | Sergeant | Survived the Second World War. |
| Cameron | Matthew | Flight Lieutenant | Survived the Second World War. |
| Clarke | Henry Reginald | Flight Lieutenant | Survived the Second World War. |
| Corry | Noel Henry | Squadron Leader | Survived the Second World War. |
| Gillen | Thomas William | Flying Officer | Survived the Second World War. |
| Harkness | Hill | Squadron Leader | Survived the Second World War. |
| Ievers | Norman Lancelot | Flight Lieutenant | Survived the Second World War. |
| Hughes | Frederick Desmond | Air Vice Marshall | Survived the Second World War. |
| MacKenzie | Kenneth William | Wing Commander | Survived the Second World War. |
| McAllister | Patrick John | Sergeant | Survived the Second World War. |
| McConnell | William Winder | Squadron Leader | Survived the Second World War. |
| Mills | John Bailie | Aircraftman 1st Class | Survived the Second World War. |
| Wright | Robert Ronald | Squadron Leader | Survived the Second World War. |
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
A Hawker Hurricane, Avro Lancaster, and a Supermarine Spitfire took to the skies over Portrush as part of the Airwaves Airshow on 4th September 2016.
