The Second World War in Northern Ireland

This photograph was taken from an aircraft at about 30,000 feet however most of the Camp can be seen.

From left to right is Abercorn Barracks below which is Sandes Home. Four Shooting Ranges can be clearly seen and below these are Training Buildings and Storage Areas.

The undulating ground above the Ranges is the Training Area which may feature in the photograph above and on the right is the Close Quarter Battle Range. Old First World War Training Trenches were located northwest of this near the Sea.

The Training Area continues to the right past "Flagstaff" to Dundrum Bay.

The green Huts as shown below would have been positioned centre bottom of this photograph.

British Soldiers training at Ballykinler

Soldiers of 59th Battalion, Reconnaissance Corps training at Ballykinler on 6th December 1941. (I.W.M. Photograph)

Beaverette Armoured Cars of 53rd Reconnaissance Regiment at Ballykinler on 19th June 1941. (Imperial War Museum Photograph)

Beaverette Armoured Cars and Bren Gun Carriers photographed in 1941 (I.W.M. Photograph)

British Army soldiers salute the King at Ballykinler in June 1942

Soldiers of the Royal Welch Fusiliers being instructed in the use of the 2 inch Mortar on 21st August 1942 (Imperial War Museum Photograph)

U.S. Army Tanks at Ballykinler (Thanks to Ed Luke for these two Photographs)

Buglers from 6th Armoured Infantry Division, U.S. Army at Ballykinler in August 1942. (From Home Away From Home)

Robert Simmonds joined the Army in April 1940 and served with The Royal Fusiliers from where he was attached to Number 17 Primary Training Centre based at Ballykinler.

In his photographs of Ballykinler Camp the Mourne Mountains can be seen in the background and it is interesting to note the Blast Wall which had been constructed around the Buildings.  (Thanks very much to David Simmonds for permitting me to use these photographs)  

****These Photographs are from a Private Collection do PLEASE DO NOT COPY****

(Photograph above From West Maryland Historical Library)

Then had some time to relax!

(The photograph above comes from Western Maryland regional Library at www.whilbr.org )

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother arrive and meet others prior to Demonstration (Please note that all of these photographs are from Life Magazine)

(Photograph above From West Maryland Historical Library)

With everyone having assembled the Gun Crews are shown below moving into position.

Infantry advance with the aid of an Artillery Barrage

Artillery Pieces in Action

(All of the photographs above are from Live Magazine. The origin of the one below is unknown)

The King is driven away in a Jeep

As can be seen from both the Letter and Photograph shown here Elizabeth had a very enjoyable day in the company of Major General Hartle at Ballykinler and the display in the Mourne Mountains and as a show of Thanks this signed photograph was sent to Major General Hartle from Buckingham Palace.

(From the Western Maryland Historical Library)

A few photographs of what was an enjoyable day for Elizabeth. (Life Magazine Photographs)

(The photograph above is from Western Maryland Historical Society)

Shown above is an old photograph of Ballykinler Camp as taken from Commons Road. The Plan below shows Commons Road running in the top right of the drawing.