Operation Overlord: From Northern Ireland to Normandy

D-Day: 6th June 1944

The now famous D-Day Landings took place on Tuesday 6th June 1944 on the coast of Normandy, France. The amphibious Allied invasion took the codename Operation Neptune. This marked the first day of Operation Overlord, the Battle of Normandy.

Seaborne and airborne Allied troops took the Normandy beaches amid fierce resistance. The operation began the liberation of Europe, paving the way for Allied victory. The Royal Ulster Rifles are the only British Army Infantry Regiment to have both regular battalions land in Normandy on D-Day. 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles landed on Sword Beach on the morning of 6th June 1944. 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles arrived later in the day landing by glider near Ranville.

1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles: Operation Overlord

By Scott Edgar

6th June 2018

1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles landed near Ranville on D-Day, 6th June 1944. There began a hard fought campaign throughout Normandy until September 1944.

2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles: From Sword to Cambes

By Scott Edgar

6th June 2018

On D-Day, 6th June 1944, 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles landed on Sword Beach during Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, France.

Preparing for D-Day in Northern Ireland

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.

Belfast Lough, Belfast

Belfast

Today, Belfast Lough is a tranquil waterway but in the months preceding the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944, it was a hive of military activity.

Visit to Normandy in 2014

We visited Normandy, France in 2014 for the 70th-anniversary commemorations of D-Day. Many veterans joined world leaders, tourists, and locals on the streets to celebrate the liberation of France.

WartimeNI visit to Normandy 2014 [D-Day 70]

Visiting Normandy is a must for any World War Two enthusiast. We were fortunate to visit during 2014's commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Fighting in Normandy

Many soldiers, sailors, and airmen left the counties of Northern Ireland to take part in the D-Day landings. Some were part of Operation Neptune with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles. Others landed around Ranville with 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles as part of 6th Airborne Division. Many more served with various regiments throughout the Normandy campaign.

Robert William Beck

Rifleman | 7020200

Robert William Beck served in 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during World War Two. He fought with 3rd Infantry Division during D-Day on 6th June 1944.

Arthur Desmond Bradley

Rifleman | 7021600

Rifleman Arthur Desmond Bradley served in 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during the hard-fought Normandy campaign in France. He died on 17th June 1944.

George Bradley

Rifleman | 7014121

Rifleman George Bradley of Belfast died on 9th July 1944 while serving with A Company, 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during the Battle of Normandy.

Hugh Brown

Corporal Hugh Brown served in 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during World War Two, landing on Sword Beach on D-Day, 6th June 1944 and fighting in France.

John Cassells Browne

Major | 89229

Major John Cassells Browne died on 9th August 1944 when D Company, 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry came under machine-gun attack in Normandy, France.

Stanley Burrows

Rifleman | MBE

Rifleman Stanley Burrows served in 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during the Second World War. He saw action on D-Day and was injured in Cambes Wood, Normandy.

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.

Andrew Charles

Rifleman | 6986230

Rifleman Andrew Charles served in 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during the Second World War. He received the Military Medal while serving in Normandy.

Thomas Fisher Churchill

Sergeant | 3247714

Thomas Fisher Churchill of the 9th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) died on 26th June 1944 during the Battle of Normandy. He is buried in Bayeux.

HMS Danae and cruisers bound for Normandy

John William Coleman

Petty Officer Stoker | P/K57950

Royal Navy Petty Officer Stoker John William Coleman was born in Liverpool, Lancashire but made a home with his wife and daughter in Belfast, Co. Antrim.

Frank Conlon

Private | 5122102

Private Frank Conlon was born in Belfast and served in the Royal Norfolk Regiment during wartime. He died in Normandy on 20th August 1944.

William John Cunningham

Warrant Officer Class I | 7011364

Warrant Officer Class I William John Cunningham died on 17th June 1944 while serving in Normandy with 9th Battalion The Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps.

John Gallagher

Rifleman | 14431679

Rifleman John Gallagher from Co. Londonderry died on 2nd July 1944 while serving in the Battle of Normandy with B Company 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles.

Samuel Glass

Rifleman | 7020032

Rifleman Samuel Glass of Belfast died on 7th June 1944, shot by a sniper after landing in Normandy with 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles the previous day.

Henry Greer

Lance Corporal | 6985178

Lance Corporal Henry Greer of Cookstown, Co. Tyrone died near Sainte-Honorine on 8th June 1944. He landed on D-Day with 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles.

Robert Hoey

Private | 7012466

Private Robert Hoey was the company cook with C Company, 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles when he died in a mortar attack in Normandy on 9th July 1944.

Thomas Ireland

Driver | T/7007689

Driver Thomas Ireland (T/7007689) served in 282 General Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps. He died in August 1944 during the Battle of Normandy.

Richard Keegan

Rifleman

Born in Co. Fermanagh, Richard Keegan served with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles on D-Day and the early days of the Normandy Campaign.

William Keenan

Lance Corporal | 7011506

Lance Corporal William Keenan lived in Co. Armagh. He died on 5th July 1944 with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles in the hard-fought Battle of Normandy.

Hugh Francis Kelly

Rifleman | 7023165

Rifleman Hugh Francis Kelly of Belfast died on 18th June 1944 while serving in the hard-fought Normandy campaign with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles.

George Alexander Maginnis

Lieutenant | 203952

Lieutenant George Alexander Maginnis served in B Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles at the time of his death in Normandy, France on 18th July 1944.

Matthew Herbison Marshall

Steward | D/LX 31320

Matthew Herbison Marshall of Ballymena, Co. Antrim died on 15th June 1944 when U-767 sank HMS Mourne in the English Channel during the Battle of Normandy.

George McAllister

Rifleman | 7009594

Rifleman George McAllister of Belfast died on 7th June 1944 as 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles advanced toward Cambes following the D-Day Landings.

James Adair McBride

Lance Sergeant | 7012157

Lance Sergeant James Adair McBride from Lomond Street, Belfast died on 19th June 1944 during the Battle of Normandy with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles.

William Ashwood McBurney

Rifleman | 7046106

Rifleman William Ashwood McBurney of Banbridge, Co. Down died at Le Mesnil in Normandy on 9th July 1944 while serving in 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles.

William McConnell MBE

Regimental Sergeant Major

William McConnell, known to friends and the men of 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles as Bill, served in World War Two, enlisting at only 17 years old.

Albert McConville

Sergeant Major

Sergeant Major Albert McConville served in 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during World War Two. He was injured during the Normandy landings in June 1944.

John McCoo

Rifleman | 6985059

Rifleman John McCoo of Gilford, Co. Down died on 13th June 1944 while serving in the Battle of Normandy with 1st (Airborne) Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles.

George Anthony McCracken

Rifleman | 7013828

Rifleman George Anthony McCracken of Ravensdale Street, Belfast died on 21st June 1944 after sustaining shrapnel wounds near Bayeux, Normandy, France.

James McMurray-Taylor

Captain/Reverend

Captain Reverend James McMurray-Taylor served with 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles seeing action on D-Day as a padre on the Normandy beaches.

Hugh Henry Millar

Corporal | 7014297

Corporal Hugh Henry Millar of Belfast died on 7th June 1944 as 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles advanced through Normandy following the D-Day Landings.

James Moore

Lance Corporal

Lance Corporal James Moore served with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during World War Two. He fought on D-Day in Normandy and on through Europe.

William James Moore

Rifleman

William James "Billy" Moore served with 2nd Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles, landing on Sword Beach on 6th June 1944 after enlisting at the age of 18.

Reginald Norman Morgan

Lieutenant | 176548

Lieutenant Reginald Norman Morgan served with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles and was last seen on 7th June 1944 during the Battle of Normandy.

William Charles Morris

Sergeant | 7011150

Sergeant William Charles Morris died on 14th July 1944 after sustaining shrapnel wounds a few days earlier during fierce fighting in the Battle of Normandy.

James Patrick Joseph O’Hanlon

Guardsman | 2723994

Guardsman James Patrick Joseph O'Hanlon died on 24th July 1944 while serving in the fiercely-fought Battle of Normandy with 3rd Battalion Irish Guards.

John Patterson

Rifleman | 7020205

Rifleman John Patterson died on 9th June 1944 during fierce fighting with the Royal Ulster Rifles at Cambes-en-Plaine following the Invasion of Normandy.

Richard George Patton

Rifleman | 6979411

Rifleman Richard George Patton from Co. Armagh died of wounds inflicted on 9th June 1944 during fighting outside the village of Cambes in Normandy, France.

Arthur Potts

Guardsman | 2724063

Lisburn born Guard Arthur Potts served in 3rd Battalion Irish Guards. He was fighting as part of the Battle of Normandy when he died on 11th August 1944.

Gordon Reid

Private | 14410593

Private Gordon Reid of Cookstown, Co. Tyrone died on 7th July 1944. He once parachuted into France on a covert mission with Lieutenant Colonel Blair Mayne.

William John Rice

Rifleman | 7011646

Rifleman William John Rice of Belfast died on 9th June 1944 while serving with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles at Cambes Woods in Normandy, France.

William John Rowe

Private | 7011445

Private William John Rowe of Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh died on D-Day, 6th June 1944 as 5/7th Battlion Gordon Highlanders landed at Juno Beach, Normandy.

John Shanahan

Rifleman

John Shanahan served with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles. The Cork native fought in Normandy after landing on Sword Beach on 6th June 1944.

Aaron Smyth

Trooper | 7018785

Trooper Aaron Smyth served in the Reconnaissance Corps at the time of his death on 3rd October 1944. His grave is in Dundonald Cemetery, Co. Down.

Charles Stephenson

Corporal

Corporal Charles Stephenson was a medic with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles. He received an injury in Troarn during the Battle of Normandy in 1944.

War Graves in Normandy

Bayeux War Cemetery, Bayeux, Normandy, France

Boulevard Fabian Ware, Bayeux, Normandy

The Bayeux War Cemetery is the largest of its kind in France. It is located on the south-west of Bayeux, on the bypass road built by British troops in 1944.

Cambes-en-Plaine War Cemetery, Normandy, France

19 Rue du Mesnil Ricard, Cambes-en-Plaine, Normandy

Cambes-en-Plaine War Cemetery is the final resting place of 8 men with connections to Northern Ireland who died during fighting in tNormandy after D-Day.

La Délivrande War Cemetery, Normandy, France

Douvres, Normandy

La Délivrande War Cemetery is the final resting place of 13 men with connections to Northern Ireland. They died during fighting in the Battle of Normandy.