The Second World War in Northern Ireland

Three U.S. Marines Killed in Drowning Accident.

(Thanks very much to Seamus Breslin)

Able Seamen Arthur William Beales from Londonderry

Able Seamen Arthur William Beales was originally from London however he married a Derry Girl and resided in the Creggan until his passing in recent years.
Arthur had extensive service with the Royal Navy as can be seen by his medals.
The Atlantic Star, The North Africa Star and the Arctic Star as well as the 1939-1945 Star and War Medal.
There are also two Russian Medals which were awarded for the Arctic Convoys. (Thanks very much to Seamus Breslin)

Joseph Furey from Derry.

Luftwaffe Photograph of Londonderry

This aerial photograph of Londonderry was taken by a German Luftwaffe aircraft.

This photograph shows one of the Barrage Balloons which were positioned around the City of Londonderry.

There would be a winch in the back of the vehicle. (Londerry Sentinal Photograph)

This poor quality photograph shows the Heavy Anti-Aircraft battery which was positioned at Tamnymore on the Waterside in Londonderry (PRONI)

Civil Defence from B2 Wardens Post, Londonderry. (From Michael Burns. Derry of the Past Facebook page)

Adults are seen trying their Gas Masks with Children being evacuated on the right. (Derry Journal Photographs)

Sergeant David Peoples from Londonderry.

Davy was a professional Soldier who joined the Army in the mid 1930's and served with the Royal Ulster Rifles throught the Second World War.

His medals include North West Frontier Service Medal, 1939 - 1945 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and Victory Medal.
Centre bottom is the Dunkirk Medal with an American Medal which shows the Bay of Naples. (Thanks very much to Nigel Richmond)

Able Seaman Donald Campbell Stewart from Londonderry

Ballyarnett Gibraltarian Evacuee Camp

These two old photographs show part of the Camp as it used to look (Thanks very much to Irwin Elkin)

Culmore Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun Battery, Londonderry

Situated on Coney Road between Culmore and the border with the Republic of Ireland stands this Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery. As with the Groarty Road example shown below this site includes a Radar Platform however I have not seen anything like the design of this platform anywhere else.

The Radar Platform along with 4 columns on one side as well as the platform incorporating a Pillbox type structure with one loop.

The following two pictures show a view of the top of the structure where the radar would be positioned as well as the access point to the incorporated pillbox type structure.

In the panorama type picture above you are looking from the 4 Gun Pits along the access road past the Command and Control Centre towards the hardened accommodation building which, as usual, is closest to the roadway.

U.S. Army Camp - Culmore

Groarty Road Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun Battery, Londonderry

On entering the field where the Battery is located you first see the hardened accommodation building (Shown below) which has blast walls covering both entrances.

Shown here is the roof of the Command Post 

Directional markings as well as "Fire Point" and even the old disruptive camouflage paint can still be clearly seen.

On the left is a view through the Command Post and on the right is looking towards one of the Gun Positions.

This is the Radar Platform that is in the adjoining field and which is in super condition and below is a photograph of the Radar System which would sit on the platform.

There are two gaps in the row of headstones shown above. These were Norwegian Sailors who were repatriated to Norway after the war.

The two men are shown above. (Thanks very much to Seamus Breslin)

The H.M.S. Curacoa Sinking and her Sailors buried in Londonderry

The liner Queen Mary was used as a Troop Transport during the Second World War.

On 2nd October 1942 the ship was carrying approximately 20,000 American Soldiers and had safely crossed most of the Atlantic Ocean from New York. As she was approaching the north of Ireland she was to be joined by Royal Navy Light Cruiser H.M.S. Curacoa for the purpose of providing Anti-Aircraft Protection on the final leg of the journey to Greenock.

Throughout the journey Queen Mary had been Zig-Zagging as a preventative measure against U-Boat attack and this continued as H.M.S. Curacoa joined her.

As with the Queen Mary, H.M.S. Curacoa was also Zig-zagging and tragically both ships were soon on a collision course which resulted in Queen Mary cutting the Light Cruiser in half.

Even though it was obvious to those on board the liner that a serious accident had taken place and that there was an urgent need for rescue to take place the Queen Mary complied with the instructions of the time and did not stop but continued her journey.

Curacoa was in flames and sunk within 6 minutes with the loss of  338 men from a total Crew of  439. (Curacoa is shown in Public Demain picture above)

Leading Stoker Frank David Bowles, Service Number C/KX106929, Aged 22, Son of Arthur and Ellen Kate Bowles, of Earlcesfield, London.

Able Seaman Phillip L. Holtby, Service Number C/HD/X 7, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

(Thanks very much to Stan Dudley)

H.M.S. Broadwater was with Convoy SC48 for escort during passage to a Mid Atlantic Meeting Point when, during the early hours of 18 Oct 1941, Uboat U-101  fired four torpedoes at HMS Broadwater which was positioned astern of convoy at 04.20 hours. The ship was struck on the starboard side forward of the bridge and lost its complete bow!

Other ships attempted to rescue the Broadwater crew and some of them remained on board believing that the ship could be saved. 

At daylight a crack became visible on the deck abaft the fourth funnel confirming that the back had been broken and the ship was beyond salvage. 

HMS Angle rescued 60 survivors and transferred seven of them, including the commander and chief engineer, to HMS Cape Warwick which had picked up 28 men and at 14.20 hours they both left to land the survivors at Londonderry but en route one officer and two ratings died of wounds. 

HMS St. Apollo stood by the abandoned wreck of HMS Broadwater until she sank by the bow with a slight starboard list at 15.41 hours.

(Information and picture from Uboat.net)

Signalman John Byrom, Service Number D/SSX33022, Aged 19, Son of William and Lily Byrom, of Golborne, Lancashire.

H.M.S. Whitaker was attacked by U-Boat U-483 on 1 November 1944 when she was north of Malin Head

Damage control measures brought the fires under control by 0320 hours but not before the ship had lost much of her bow and suffered 79 dead of which the following can be found in Londonderry City Cemetery.

The first hearstone is for an unidentified Crew Member.

Lieutenant Laughlin John Maclachlin, Aged 25, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, Son of Allan MacLachlan, and of Gertrude E. MacLachlan, of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Damage to H.M.S. Whitaker is shown in the photograph above (From Navsource)

Stoker 1st Class Herbert C.A. Hounsell, Service Number D/K 18449, was 54 years old when he died on 25th July 1942.

Herbert was the Husband of Gladys Mary Claude Hounsell, of Plymouth.

Petty Officer Writer Russell Lorne McLaughlin, Service Number V/34407, was 23 years old when he died on 19th May 1945.

He was serving with Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Russell was the Son of Alfred Russell McLaughlin and Vivian Louella McLaughlin and Husband of Flora Cameron McLaughlin, of Paisley, Renfrewshire.

Some Other Armed Forces Personel Buried in Londonderry

Corporal Charles Gallagher, Service Number 6979832, was serving with 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died on 13th November 1945.

Fusilier Charles William Ruffell, Service Number 6980547, Died 30/04/1941 when he was 18 years old. He was serving with 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Charles was the Son of Charles William and Grace Ruffell, of Londonderry.

Serjeant Henry Friel, Service Number 6977768, was serving with the Royal Irish Fusiliers when he died on 12th March 1941.

Corporal Matthew Simms, Service Number 6977189, Died on 11 th September 1940 when serving with Royal Irish Fusiliers.

Sapper Arthur Morrison, Service Number 2197715, was serving with the Royal Engineers and 34 years old when he died on 28th February 1945.

Arthur was the Son of Arthur and Mary A. Morrison, of Londonderry and Husband of Martha Morrison, of Londonderry.

George Carl Otto Von Scheffler was born in 1884.

He was appointed a Page to the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenbach and later Governor of the Royal pages at the Emperor's Court in Berlin, where he was honoured with the title of Baron.
He inherited Prehen from his Grandfather on condition that he included the Knox name in his own Surname and that be became a British Citizen. 

With the outbreak of the First World War the then Baron Von Scheffler-Knox was declared an enemy alien and Prehen House along with its Land was seized by the government and later placed on the open market under the Enemy Property Act.

The photograph here shows the Barons ashes being taken to the Family Plot in the City Cemetery in 1966. His Son, who served with the German Armed Forces during the Second World War was later buried in the same Family vault (Thanks very much to Seamus Brealin)

The Knox Vault. The wording on the brick says "W. Hancock & Co"

Londonderry Brothers Killed in Action.

Sergeant Air Gunner David Hetherington, Service Number 1880052, was serving with 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

He was Rear Gunner aboard Avro Lancaster JB664, ZN-M which took off with fifteen other aircraft from R.A.F. Metheringham on the night of 27th June 1944. They joined with a total force of 103 Lancaster Bombers who were on a mission to attack enemy lines of communication at Vitry-le-Francois which lies southeast of Reims.

In the early hours of 28th June two aircraft from the Group were hit by enemy fire with one of these being JB664.

The aircraft crashed into a field in the Seine-et-Marine area east of Paris with the loss of all on board.

Sergeant David Hetherington was buried with the rest of the Crew at Bransles which is west of Sens. - He is shown below with the rest of the Aircraft Crew 

(Thanks very much to Davie Hetherington) *****PLEASE DO NOT COPY*****

Sergeant William James Hetherington, Number 546224 was 24 years old and serving with 60 Squadron, Royal Air Force when he was killed.

He is remembered at Kirkee War Cemetery, Southeast of Mumbai, India.

The Sons of William James and Elizabeth Hetherington from Londonderry. William Snr had served during the First World War and joined the Ulster Home Guard during the Second World War. He is shown in First World War uniform as well as his Ulster Home Guard Identity Card below. (Thanks to Davey Hetherington) ***DO NOT COPY***

U.S. Military Camp - Springtown

The creation of what was to become known as Springtown Camp began on 30th of June 1941.

The top picture gives some indication as to the size of Springtown Camp. Pennyburn Chapel can be seen in the background.

Above is the Commissioning of Springtown Camp on 5th February 1943. The United States Marine is Captain Donald Kennedy ( After the Battle Magazine)

The Stuart Lee Rice Photographic Collection of Springrown Camp

The Galley and a "Chow Line" in May 1944 

Some of the Naval Personnel from Hut 214 and a picture from inside the hut.

Robert "Bob" Reiss in front of Hut 214 and an interesting form of transport.

The same location before and after some improvements had been made.

My sincere thanks to Ron Rice for sharing the above photos and story of his Dad, Stuart Lee Rice (1920 - 1968) who served with many other U.S. Naval Personnel at Springtown in Londonderry.

Dennis Kolodziej Photographs showing general Living Conditions at Springhill Camp (Thanks very much to Dennis Kolodziej and "Derry of the Past" for these pictures)

Base Officer at Springhill is shown on the left with Joe White standing with a Marine Base Guard on the right.

Group Photograph showing Electricians Riggers above with Old Glory flying below along with some men with at their Accommodation Hut.

Group photograph of Radio Operators.  (Thanks very much to Dennis Kolodziej and "Derry of the Past" for these pictures)

U.S. Marine Frederick Strybing is shown here at the Main Entrance to Springtown Camp. The pictures on the right show American Servicemen playing Football at Springtown Camp and a train passing the Springtown Camp. (From the excellent ww2db.com website)

The photographs above are from Storekeeper Second Class Jack Johnston (navcommsta-londonderry.freeservers.com)

Eleanor Roosevelt at Springtown House on Remembrance Day, 11th November 1942. (Picture from Londonderry Sentinel)

Secretary Knox and Admiral Harold R. Stark leaving the Chapel at Springtown in September 1943 when on an Inspection Trip

Don Donovan of New York City plays his guitar with R Dumas (I wonder if this is a false name he has given the Reporter) of Haverhill, Mass, Anthony Caballo of Brooklyn, New York and Bill O'Hare of Dorchester, Mass. Singing in their hut on 10th July 1942. (Acme Newspictures on Ebay)

Bob Hope with Frances Langford at Springtown

Shown above are Fourteen photographs showing the U.S. Marines Bagpipe, Drum and Bugle Corps at Springhill. (From Life Magazine)

(Many thanks to Arthur McIlwaine for the Article shown above)

Death of Senior U.S. Naval Officer

(Thanks very much to Seamus Breslin for article above)

Bombing Decoy Site - Corrody

This is a Bombing Decoy Site. From the pictures you can see that the mounds of earth which would have both camouflaged and protected the building have been removed however the inside is without doubt the best that i have found.

On entering the building the Electricity Generator Room is to the right. I was surprised to find the concrete bases for two rather than the more common one generator.

Shipwrecks

The “Uberus” was requisitioned by the Admiralty in 1939 and subsequently armed. It is recorded as having been wrecked in Lough Foyle on 11th January 1941.

Middlesex Regiment ready for Action

Here is a Vickers Machine-Gun Team of soldiers from 2/8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment photographed on 15th July 1941 (I.W.M. Photograph)

5th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in an Exercise at Castlerock on 14 July 1941. Coming ashore is just the start - Then you have to climb the rocks! 

The fantastic second photograph has been colourised by Paul Reynolds. (Imperial War Museum pictures)

I believe that the building in these photographs was used by 3rd Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, United States Army.

The second photograph looks towards where Nissen Huts had been constructed.

Belgian Soldiers training with Mortars near Castlerock

Two photographs of Belgian Soldiers training in the use of Mortars.

Castlerock Battle of Britain Ace.

Francis Victor Beamish was born at Dunmanway, County Cork in the Irish Republic on 27th September 1903 before his family moved to Northern Ireland.

He attended the Coleraine Academical Institute and then entered the RAF College, Cranwell as a Flight Cadet on 14th September 1921.
Having graduated in August 1923 he went to 4 (Army Co-operation) Squadron at Farnborough on 18th September.

In 1933 he went into hospital at Uxbridge, suffering from tuberculosis and had to retire from the RAF on 18th October 1933.

On 18th May 1936 he became civilian adjutant at RAF Aldergrove.
This was a non-flying appointment in the Air Force Reserve however Beamish was sufficiently recovered to be reinstated with full flying status as a Flight Lieutenant on 27th January 1937 and was posted to Command 2 Armament Training Camp and Met Flight at Aldergrove.

His comeback was complete when he was given command of 64 Squadron at Church Fenton on 8th December 1937. He was awarded the AFC for establishing the Met Flight.

He took over RAF North Weald on 7th June 1940 and flew operational sorties with his station squadrons whenever he could.

On 18th June he claimed two Me109’s destroyed.
On 9th July a Me110 damaged
On the 12th a Do17 shot down
On 18th August a probable Ju88
On the 24th a Do17 damaged
On the 30th two probable Me110’s.
On 6th September two Ju87’s
On the 11th a probable He111
On the 15th a share in a He111
On the 18th and 27th probable Me109’s.
He damaged a Me109 on 12th October, probably destroyed one and damaged another on the 25th and probably shot down another on the 30th.

Beamish was awarded the DSO (gazetted 23rd July 1940) and the DFC (gazetted 8th November 1940).

On 7th November 1940 Beamish collided with Pilot Officer TF Neil of 249 Squadron whilst on patrol and made a forced-landing at Leeds Castle in Kent.
In all his sorties in 1940, he was damaged by enemy action three times, on each occasion getting his aircraft down safely.

On 11th November 1940, Italian aircraft based in Belgium attempted a raid and Beamish claimed a probable CR42 biplane fighter.
Two days later he damaged a Me109 near Dover.
On 10th January 1941 he shot down a Me109 over the Channel.

Beamish was posted to HQ 11 Group on 17th March 1941. He was back in action later that year and claimed a probable Me109 near Mardyck on 9th August 1941.

He was awarded a Bar to the DSO.

On 25th January 1942 Beamish went to RAF Kenley to take command and again flew with his squadrons.
With W/Cdr. RF Boyd he took off on the morning of 12th February 'to see what was happening on the other side'.
After chasing two Me109’s, they saw part of the German Fleet making its 'Channel Dash'. The ships had been reported ten minutes earlier by two pilots of 91 Squadron but the news was received with complete disbelief at 11 Group. Beamish's confirmation was enough to set in motion a series of uncoordinated attacks on the German fleet.

On 13th February Beamish had a share in the destruction of a He115 over the Channel.
On 9th March he claimed a Fw190 destroyed and another on the 26th, as well as a Me109.
Leading the Kenley Wing and flying with 485 (NZ) Squadron on 28th March, Beamish saw a force of Me109’s and Fw190’s a few miles south of Calais.
He turned the Wing towards them. In the ensuing engagement Beamish was seen to be attacked and damaged by a Me109. He requested a vector over the radio and was last seen entering a cloud near Calais.
It is presumed that he crashed into the Channel, possibly wounded and perhaps unconscious. He was 38 years old.

Victor Beamish was one of a small band of near-legendary figures in the RAF. He was photographed by Cecil Beaton and had his portrait made by Cuthbert Orde.
(Information and pictures from The battle of Britain London Monument)

Having posted the above I received a message about a Sundial which had went missing from the school when the Beamish brothers had been pupils.

Fincarn Glen Ammunition Storage Dump

The Aerial picture here shows Fincairn Glen with a number of the Bunkers clearly visible although there is much more to see when inside the Glen itself. (Bing Maps)

Bunker being used an Air Raid Shelter for injured personnel. 

(This picture is from http://images.google.com/hosted/life/4eed69d3931fae73.html and is available to EVERYONE.)

This Bunker in Fincairn Glen is very similar to the Shelter in the photograph above.

The square yellow marking is the old British Hazard Sign system which has since been replaced by the orange coloured signs which can now be seen on everything from a box of explosives to the lorry delivering your heating oil!

Some buildings have a number of signs including the "Group Explosive" which may refer to a particular type of explosive stored there. Each has a group of letters and numbers above the door and in the third picture above it appears that repairs may also have taken place from the  "Serviceable" notice on a wall.

Due to the fact that this facility is heavily overgrown it is difficult to know the precise number of bunkers which exist however I believe there to be around 20.

These are markings on the inside of the Bunkers.

It is difficult to read however in the picture on the left the top line begins "Group..." and the second is "150" with something following which may end in "Lbs" however time has taken its toll.

I hope you can see the Cartoon which has been drawn of a man's head in the picture on the left.

"Armco Ingot Iron. Manufactured by The American Rolling Mill Company, Middletown, Ohio."

There are a number of interesting structures around the Fincairn Glen Complex. Above is a Nissen Hut 

Shown above is inside one of the Bunkers - Various old bottles, cups etc are lying along the shelf.

The entrances to some of the Bunkers are almost overgrown. - Another one is shown below.

The structure in this last photograph had me rather confused until the Imperial War Museum Photograph below identified it as an Air Raid Shelter. - This Shelter is being constructed at Creevagh Military Hospital on 29th January 1942. In both cases the Shelter is seen without its covering of earth (IWM Photograph)

Drawings at Fincairn Glen

Fincairn Glen Anti Aircraft Gun Position

At the top of the Glen is the Anti Aircraft Gun Position shown here.

The Donaghy Family from Drumahoe.

(Thanks very much to Britishnewspaperarchive and Seamus Breslin)

Warbleshinney Gibraltarian Evacuee Camp

To the south of the City of Londonderry between the villages of Drumahoe and New Buildings can be found one of the Evacuee Camps which were constructed to house people who had fled Gibraltar during the War.

There are 5 buildings which are easily located and of searching through a small wooded area there are a few smaller structures.

Bombing Decoy Site Lisglass

I believe there was a Bombing Decoy Site such as the one shown below at Lisglass Southwest of New Buildings. Unfortunately I have no other details.

Bellarena

Bellarena House at Seacoast Road between Coleraine and Limavady was used as a billet for 118 Infantry Regiment 1 Battalion, Company A of the United States Army.

151st Field Artillery Battalion, 34th Infantry Division U.S. Army were here in 1942 and Nissen Huts were constructed in the grounds of the estate.

General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, addresses officers on his trip to Northern Ireland. 

Press conference with war correspondents. L to R General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army; Robert Nixon, INS; Rice Yahner, AP.

General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army; Lt. General H. E. Franklyn, General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland British Forces; Mr. J. H. Andrews, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland; Mr. W. Averill Harriman, President Roosevelt’s personal envoy to Britain; Major General James E. Chaney United States Army Forces in the British Isles (USAFBI); and Major General R. P. Hartle, United States Army Northern Ireland Forces (USANIF), during their inspection tour of Northern Ireland. 

"Mr. Harry Hopkins, lend-lease administrator in Britain, addresses Officers during his visit to Northern Ireland."

Some other evidence remains of the use of this location during the Second World War such as the Air Raid Shelter and Building shown here.

Christchurch, Limavady

John Gouinlock Anderson and Frederick Dick Butland died on 13th July 1943 when the Wellington aircraft, HF838, they were flying crashed at Dickeys Glen, Curley Burn, Bolea.

Sergeant Anderson died on 5th May 1943 when Wellington Bomber LB241 in which he was a Crew member crashed shortly after take-off in Drenagh Estate.

Sergeant Vernon James Pither and Pilot Officer Wilson Twentyman were killed on 20th July 1942 when their Wellington Bomber DV772 crashed near The Giants Causeway during a Training Flight.

Sergeant Henry Lewis Baker was serving as a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner with the Royal Air Force when he died on 12th August 1942.

Squadron Leader Henry Roy Birtill was serving with the Royal Air Force and was 40 years old when he died on 20th April 1945.

Warrant Officer Eric George Clarke was serving with Royal Australian Air Force and was flying in Avro Anson N5372 during a Navigation Exercise.

On the 18th October 1943, Anson N5372 took off at approx 1940 hours to carry out a night non-operational navigation B3 exercise. The aircraft crashed at 2115 hours in
Ballycastle, County Antrim, North Ireland. Two of the crew were killed and two injured. The Pilot who survived the crash, later stated ; “On the last leg of the exercise, the
aircraft was flying at 2,400 feet. It was however eleven miles to the starboard of track, a fact not known to the crew. I decided to descend to 2,000 feet to avoid another aircraft.
We approached Knocklayde from the downwind side of the mountain, and the wind was150 degrees at 35/40 kms per hour. There would have been an extensively strong down
draft as we approached the mountainside. After the aircraft struck Knocklayde, SOS procedures were carried out and preparations were made for a ditching.”
Crew:
RAF FO Cooper, J G Captain (Pilot) Injured, Polish Wg Cdr Heiler, W R (1st Navigator Pupil) Killed, RAF Flt Lt Dunn, J K (2nd Navigator Pupil) Injured
RAAF 404206 WO E G Clarke, (Staff Wireless Air Gunner) Killed (Information from ww2talk forum regarding R.A.A.F. Deaths in Northern Ireland.)

Flying Officer Stanley David Gaudin was a Pilot with 172 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force and was killed when Wellington HF450 was on an operational flight over the Atlantic and were unable to return to base due to weather conditions as well as some engine difficulties which are explained below. (Both information and photograph of Flying Officer Stanley David Gaudin are from veterans.gc.ca website)

Sergeant Ronald William Gutteridge was a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner aboard Wellington HX737 which was being operated from Limavady Airfield by Number 7 Operational Training Unit. The aircraft crashed in Neutral Republic of Ireland on 28th February 1943 with the loss of all 6 Crew Members whose bodies were returned to the United Kingdom.

Sergeant Harold Joseph Byron Harrison was a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner serving with the Royal Air Force when he died on 9th October 1942.

Lance Bombardier Harry Jackson was serving with 423 Battery, 126 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery when he died on 6th June 1942.

Pilot Officer Ronald Hepburn Matthews was serving with 407 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force when he died on 15th February 1944.

Corporal John George Richardson was serving with 281 Squadron, Royal Air Force who were based at Limavady.

Sergeant Robert Arthur Felix Turnbull was a Wireless Operator / Air Gunner serving with the Royal Air Force when he died on 2nd January 1943.

Pilot Officer George Victor Weeks was serving with the Royal Aistralian Air Force.

On 14th November 1944 he was in Wellington HF396 of 172 Squadron on a patrol over the Atlantic Ocean.

Shortly after take off the Coast Guard at Ramoor Head at 0156 hours reported seeing an aircraft coming from south of the River Foyle at a height of approx 1500 feet and heading towards the sea. Intermittent flashes were coming from the tail of the aircraft and in less than a minute the aircraft burst into flames, and crashed into the sea.8 to12 miles from Portrush. Some wreckage washed up in Eire revealed evidence of extensive fire damage in the fuselage. Salvage operations were conducted but no trace of the aircraft or the missing crew was found. Pilot Officer Weeks body was recovered from the sea off Magilligan Point, Northern Ireland.

(Thanks to Seamus Breslin)

Flight Sergeant Leslie Woods was with 7 Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force.

On the 28th November 1943, Wellington DV664 took off on a non-operational daytime bombing practice, and crashed at 1220 hours 100 yards north east of the Strand, Port
Ballintrae, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. All the crew lost their lives. Eye witness reported that the aircraft bombed the target on a low level bombing drop, and then turned to starboard at a height of approx 200 feet. 

On completing the turn the aircraft dived directly into the sea after the aircraft had straightened up. The accident occurred during daylight with strong winds and heavy seas. Had the accident been due to stalling in the turn, it was thought the aircraft would have gone in one wing first. There was insufficient evidence as to the cause of the crash, but it was considered probable that the Pilot stalled the aircraft.
Flight Sergeant Woods body was washed ashore. (This information comes from the excellent WW2Talk Forum)

The three photographs above show the Funeral procession of Flight Sergeant Leslie Woods in Limavady (Australian War Memorial)

Flying Officer James Wheadon MacDougal (MID) was a Bomb Aimer Instructor and Sergeant Ernest Edward Fraser was Pilot aboard Lockheed Hudson III, V9112 (Along with Pilot Officer Kenneth Allan Norris whose Headstone is shown below). 

They were flying with 1527 Beam Approach  / Radio Aids Training Flight based at Prestwick in Southwest Scotland and were killed in a forced landing at Cockainwell near Ballycastle in County Antrim.

Remembering the Unknown

Here are two Unknown people who gave their lives during the Second World War.

A Sailor of the Merchant Navy who was Buried on 25th June 1940 and an Airman of the Royal Air Force. (Many Thanks to Graham Galt for the Merchant Navy picture)

Three American Airmen Buried at Christchurch, Limavady

(Above 2 items from wartimes.ca)

Flight Sergeant (Pilot) William Benjamin Fry was from San Benito, Texas and had joined the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Copyright of photograph unknown

Bus Driver Shot Dead by U.S. Soldier.

On 17 April 1942 a US Army convoy was travelling along the Limavady to Londonderry Road.

The convoy was transporting some of America's most high ranking military and political officers including President Roosevelt’s personal adviser, Harry Hopkins, and Averall Harriman.

US Army Chief of Staff, General George C. Marshall and Lieutenant General Cheney, as well as Major General Russell Hartle were all included.

Between Limavady to Ballykelly the various vehicles within the convoy began to overtake a bus which was being driven by Mr, Albert Rodden.

All has passed safely except for the tailing Scout Car. Private Thomas De Felice, who was the driver of the Scout Car, later said that he had tried to overtake the bus on a number of occasions and he believed that the driver was deliberately preventing him from passing.

Having tried on four occasions De Felice had pulled the Scout Car onto the opposite side of the road and began his overtake but as he drew level with the bus he was forced off the road.

Private John J Fraula, who was a passenger in the scout car, said that he believed a crash was inevitable as both vehicles were travelling at speed and stated that the bus had obstructed the scout car for about a mile.

During an investigation a Military Motorcyclist, who had been escorting the convoy, stated that he had drawn alongside the bus and asked the driver to let the scout car past however the driver had told him to ‘stay behind’ and made a gesture to emphasise this.

The motorcyclist confirmed that Private Thomas De Felice had made four attempts to overtake and that the bus had moved out deliberately, forcing the scout car off the road.

Sergeant William V. Clipsham, who was from Narbeth, Pennsylvania, was in charge of the vehicle and said that he had been standing in the Scout Car waved with both hands at the bus driver trying to signal him to pull over when his vehicle was forced off the road.

When the scout car hit the kerb three rounds were discharged from its forward machine gun, killing Albert Rodden.

An American war correspondent, Robert G. Nixon, who had been travelling in the convoy, expressed surprise at the behaviour of the bus driver as the convoy was travelling at around 40 to 45 mph.

He had asked Sergeant Clipsham if there had been any shooting and Clipsham had said a gun had been fired but he did not know where.

Sergeant Clipsham was later Court-Martialled for shooting Albert Rodden and it is interesting to note that his Second-in-Command of the scout car, Corporal Looney, stated that Clipsham had not been standing behind the front facing machine gun from which the shots had been fired.

Lieutenant P. C. Madeira, who was Commander of the Convoy Escort said that he had given orders for the machine gun to be ‘half-loaded’ which meant that the gunner would need to make at least one movement to fire the weapon thus making a negligent discharge less likely.

In contradiction of this Corporal Picariello, who was a Weapons Instructor, had examined the gun on the following Monday and discovered that, if half loaded, it would go off after being tapped a few times.

He gave evidence that it was ‘normal practice to tap this make of gun to see if it was defective’ and this evidence was corroborated by a Technical Sergeant from the Ordnance Maintenance Department who had also examined the gun.

Evidence of the Technical Sergeant was critical to the case and he stated that he considered the weapon to have been defective and that a sharp knock would have caused it to fire.

The prosecution argued that Sergeant Clipsham was responsible for the weapon and action however he was found Not Guilty.

Sergeant William Clipsham was the first US serviceman to be Court Martialled within the United Kingdom.

Albert Rodden is buried in an unmarked grave in Ballykelly Presbyterian Church.

(Thanks to Graham Galt, Northern Ireland War Memorial, Biloxi Daily Herald)

Ballykelly Church of Ireland

These are the Second World War graves which can be found in the Church of Ireland Church in Ballykelly. All are Airmen representing the Royal Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force.

Flight Sergeant (Observer) Stanley Frederick Chadwick, Service Number 916276, was serving with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Sergeant (Pilot) Arnolous Bothma Meyer, Service Number 776185, 120 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

Sergeant (Air Gunner) Thomas William Taylor, Service Number 405529, Aged 20 years, Serving with 120 (Royal Air Force) Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Thomas was the Son of Sidney James Taylor and Evelyn May Taylor, of Koromiko, Marlborough, New Zealand.

Both these men were killed in the same crash as Group Captain Goode shown above.

Warrant Officer Class I (Wireless Op./Air Gunner) Vaughan Albert McLellan, Service Number R/73406, was aboard Consolidated Liberator GR.V FL989 of 59 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which had taken off from Ballykelly at approximately 2pm on 19th June 1944. Within a short time of doing so the aircraft crashed in heavy fog at Glengad Head on the Inishowen Peninsula in the Republic of Ireland.

Vaughan was 22 years old and serving with the royal Canadian Air Force.

He was the Son of Vaughan Bertram and Eleanor Woods McLellan, of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.

The 59 Squadron logo - A broken gun wheel is shown on the right above a Squadron Plaque (Queens Crown rather than Kings Crown unfortunately)

Within a few hours of the crash which I refer to above there was a second.

This one involving Consolidated Liberator GR.V FL990  OH-A . This had also taken off from R.A.F. Ballykelly and crashed at Carrowtrasna Hill on the Inishowen Peninsula.

This aircraft also had a Crew of 8 and all were lost as was the case with FL989.

These men were among those who perished.

Flight Sergeant Kenneth John Nielsen Apitz, Service Number 422370, who was serving with Royal Australian Air Force and 20 years old.

He was the Foster-son of Anders Nielsen and Evelyn Ruth Apitz, of Hamilton, New South Wales, Australia.

Flight Sergeant Norman Athol Cooper, Service Number 421978, Royal Aistralian Air Force, 25 years old who was the Son of Alfred Ernest and Rhoda May Cooper, of Tingha, New South Wales, Australia.

Flight Sergeant (Navigator) John Haines, Service Number 931471, 24 years old, 59 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

John was the Son of Edward and Jane Haines, of Deptford, London.

Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) Rowland Paine Wade, Service Number 88398, 30 years old, 59 Squadron, Royal Air Force,

Rowland was the Son of John Francis and Maud Mary Wade and Husband of Zelie Nienes Cockburn Wade, of Pewsey, Wiltshire.

On 24th June 1944 Consolidated Liberator V H, FL977 had been on operational sortie lasting 16 hours and was returning to R.A.F. Ballykelly.

There was thick fog and the Pilot made three attempts to land before crashing into Benevenagh Mountain with the loss of all crew.

Warrant Officer (Wireless Operator (Air Gunner) Henry Gordon Coombe, Service Number 421266, Aged 32, Royal New Zealand Air Force serving with 59 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

Henry was the Son of Henry Thomas Coombe and Eliza May Coombe and was the Husband of Grace Coombe, of Wellington City, New Zealand.

Pilot Officer (Wireless Op./Air Gunner) George William Gerring, Service Number 90925, was 23 years old. He was Royal Canadian Air Force serving with 59 Squadron, Royal Air Force. He is seen on the left in the R.C.A.F. Photograph.

George was the Son of David and Martha Gerring, of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.

Warrant Officer Class I (Wireless Op./Air Gunner) Wilfred Clarke Wallace, Service Number R/134952, was 24 years old and Royal Canadian Air Force serving with 59 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

He was the Son of Thomas Arthur and Laura M. Wallace, of Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. and I have included the photographs of Wilfred and his Aircraft which are beside his Headstone.

Sergeant Cecil Danks, Service Number 292697, was 45 years old and serving with 59 Squadron, Royal Air Force when he died on 20th January 1945.

Cecil was the Son of William Henry and Gertrude Danks and Husband of Maude Elizabeth Danks, of Huyton-Roby, Lancashire.

Ian was the Son of Alexander and Catherine MacFadyen, of Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada.

Garvagh Presbyterian Church.

Thomas Fleming was serving as an Aircraftsman 1st Class, 1795114, when he was killed whilst on Active Service on 10th April 1944.

St Patricks Church of Ireland, Kilrea.

Church of Ireland Rectory, Maghera

Ron Greenwood, who was later to become the Manager of the England Football Team, served in Northern Ireland with the Royal Air Force.

St Lurach's Church, Maghera

Shown above is S.S. Ohio arriving in Valetta. H.M.S. Penn can be seen on the far side helping to keep the heavily damaged ship afloat. My comparrison picture shows the same location.

Shown below are a selection of artifacts from the Ohio which are on display in the Malta War Museum in Valetta.

Army Camps in Maghera

There were two Camps of soldiers in the Maghera Area.

Air Crash Memorial Stone, Maghera

Clonmore House, Maghera

Clonmore House at Upperlands near Maghera was requisitioned by Military Personnel on 21st July 1940. (Information from http://harryjacksonclark.com)

Spring Hill, Moneymore

This is a particularly interesting site and I am sure many of the visitors to this National Trust property are not aware of the extent of the Second World War history which lies here.

Visitors to the site can still see what remains of Tower Hill Camp which is concealed within the trees to the right of the Tower when walking from the back of Spring Hill House.

The United States Army operated a Medical Supply Depot at Lismoney, near Moneymore.

The old building shown here is in the area of where i believe the Depot was operated from at Lismoney Road.

Royal Navy "Wren" with U.S. Navy Yeoman and also U.S. Soldier.

Has the appearance of a Propaganda type photograph however I like the wording on the poster in the background! 

In the first few pictures this WREN is seen with a U.S. Navy Yeoman however these pictures then show her with an American Soldier - But then in the next Picture the Soldier is seen with Two WRENS. (All are Life Magazine Photographs)