A few years ago we put together a little e-book about rugby players with connections to Northern Ireland who died during the Second World War.
You can download it for free here:
wartimeni.com/sixnations/
It's the final week of #SixNations rugby, and we're looking at the Hewitt family. Siblings Tom, Frank and Victor represented Ireland and their youngest brother also showed promise.
Norman Hewitt died on 9th March 1943 serving in Tunisia with North Irish Horse.
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Wren Rebecca McCabe during her service on H.M.S. Caroline.
Wren Rebecca McCabe served at H.M.S. Caroline, Belfast from 1942-1944 before moving to the Signals Distribution Office in the run-up to D-Day.
#InternationalWomensDay
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Sergeant Staff Major Mabel Kathleen Twist.
In 1941, Staff Sergeant Major Mabel Kathleen Twist of Belfast was named by Chief Controller Jean Knox as "the smartest woman in the A.T.S."
#InternationalWomensDay
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Portrait photo of Mabel Glass.
Born in Whitehead, Co. Antrim, Mabel Glass was a pioneering aviator, competing in races and serving in the Air Transport Auxiliary alongside Amy Johnson.
#InternationalWomensDay
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On 6th March 1944, U.S. soldier Private Wiley Harris Jr. and Harry Coogan argued in Earl Street, Belfast. Harris unsheathed a knife with fatal consequences.
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Lieutenant Edward Victor Polley.
Lieutenant Edward Victory Polley of Belfast served in Royal Canadian Engineers. He died as a result of a motorcycle crash while on manoeuvres in the UK in 1943.
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Washington County Free Library Photo: (WCRH018) (Part of the Western Maryland Room Collection) U.S. Soldiers relax on deck on an Atlantic crossing to Northern Ireland. Photo taken by U.S. Signals Corps in February 1942. Copyright Washington County Free Library.
On 2nd March 1942, the second contingent of American Forces arrives at Belfast Docks in Northern Ireland. This event, which brought a larger number of troops ashore, was free from the pomp and grandeur of the earlier arrival of soldiers in January 1942.
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Several seafaring men with connections to Northern Ireland died on S.S. Cadillac as the British merchant tanker came under torpedo attack on 1st March 1941.
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On 28th February 1944, the G.O.C Northern Ireland and the Prime Minister observed the testing of American waterproofed vehicles at Lady's Bay, Lough Neagh.
More photos from IWM here:
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A group of young Jewish children in Northern Ireland.
On 24th February 1946, a Douglas Dakota plane touched down on an airfield in Northern Ireland. Onboard were 25 Jewish refugees, survivors of Nazi persecution. Two more flights would arrive over the following days.
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Imperial War Museum Photo: (HU 110315) (Part of the Belfast Telegraph Collection) Gunners on board a vessel on convoy patrol prepare for an air attack in the North Atlantic. Photo taken on 22nd February 1941. Copyright Belfast Telegraph Photographer.
Imperial War Museum Photo: (HU 110316) (Part of the Belfast Telegraph Collection) Crew members on board a vessel on convoy patrol prepare to launch depth charges in the North Atlantic. Photo taken on 22nd February 1941. Copyright Belfast Telegraph Photographer.
Imperial War Museum Photo: (HU 110317) (Part of the Belfast Telegraph Collection) Crew members on board a vessel on convoy patrol prepare to launch depth charges in the North Atlantic. Photo taken on 22nd February 1941. Copyright Belfast Telegraph Photographer.
On 22nd February 1941, a Belfast Telegraph photographer joined the crew on board a Royal Navy vessel as they undertook a convoy patrol in the North Atlantic.
(📷: IWM)
IWM Photo: H 27395. Part of the War Office Second World War Official Collection. Major-General Vivian Henry Bruce Majendie C.B., D.S.O. (General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland District) greets Naval Lieutenant Elagin, representing the Embassy of the U.S.S.R. in London at the saluting base during a commemorative event to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Red Army. The Duke of Abercorn (Governor of Northern Ireland) took the salute on Red Army Day 1943 at Belfast City Hall. Photo taken on 20th February 1943 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge – War Office Photographer.
IWM Photo: H 27396. Part of the War Office Second World War Official Collection. Commander Oscar Henderson D.S.O. with Naval Lieutenant Elagin, representing the Embassy of the U.S.S.R. in London at the saluting base during a commemorative event to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Red Army. The Duke of Abercorn (Governor of Northern Ireland) took the salute on Red Army Day 1943 at Belfast City Hall. Photo taken on 20th February 1943 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge – War Office Photographer.
IWM Photo: H 27394. Part of the War Office Second World War Official Collection. Naval Lieutenant Elagin, representing the Embassy of the U.S.S.R. in London is among the party at the saluting base during a commemorative event to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Red Army. The Duke of Abercorn (Governor of Northern Ireland) took the salute on Red Army Day 1943 at Belfast City Hall. Photo taken on 20th February 1943 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge – War Office Photographer.
On 20th February 1943, a host of dignitaries gathered at a large military parade in front of Belfast City Hall to mark the 25th anniversary of Red Army Day.
(📷: IWM)
More photos here:
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Accidents occurred during training exercises in Northern Ireland. In a single week in February 1944, the U.S. Army lost 5 soldiers in such tragic circumstances.
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The @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social is 100% correct here. These AI images are damaging history and they are a very real threat to the history of the #Holocaust.
IWM Photo: H 27371. Part of the War Office Second World War Official Collection. Realistic battle scenes, gunfire, explosions, and cliff scaling play out in the countryside around Newry, Co. Down as soldiers of 2/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division undergo ‘toughening up’ training in Northern Ireland. Photo taken on 18th February 1943 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge – War Office Photographer.
IWM Photo: H 27369. Part of the War Office Second World War Official Collection. Realistic battle scenes, gunfire, explosions, and cliff scaling play out in the countryside around Newry, Co. Down as soldiers of 2/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division undergo ‘toughening up’ training in Northern Ireland. Photo taken on 18th February 1943 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge – War Office Photographer.
IWM Photo: H 27378. Part of the War Office Second World War Official Collection. Realistic battle scenes, gunfire, explosions, and cliff scaling play out in the countryside around Newry, Co. Down as soldiers of 2/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division undergo ‘toughening up’ training in Northern Ireland. Photo taken on 18th February 1943 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge – War Office Photographer.
On 18th February 1943, 2/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers underwent 'toughening up' around Newry, Co. Down as part of 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division.
📷: IWM
More photos here:
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United States Ambassador for Britain Mr. John G. Winant accompanied by Major General J.E. Chaney, Major-General Russell P. Hartle, Captain K.I. Grimes (Medical Detachment, 63rd Signal Battalion), and Lieutenant L.A. Keisler (Adjutant, 63rd Signal Battalion) visiting a dispensary at Sunnylands Camp, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim.
Mr. John G. Winant (United States Ambassador for Britain) visited parts of Northern Ireland on 17th-18th February 1942, inspecting U.S. Army troops and camps.
Watch the video and read the article here:
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IWM Photo: H 27276. Part of the War Office Second World War Official Collection. Soldiers of 72nd Independent Infantry Brigade, British Army construct a raft using an iron frame and a waterproof lorry cover at Corbet Lough near Banbridge, Co. Down. The new style of water-crossing enabled soldiers to transport a 30 CWT lorry, a Jeep, and an Anti-Tank Gun. Photo taken on 16th February 1943 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge – War Office Photographer.
On 16th February 1943, 72nd Independent Infantry Brigade trained in Co. Down using a raft of iron and waterproofing to cross Corbet Lough carrying vehicles.
(📷: IWM H 27276)
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On 16th February 1943, Reverend Father S. Teggart said a Solemn Requiem as funeral masses were held for the young victims of a Valentine's Day tragedy in Co. Tyrone.
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Map of north Belfast showing the city waterworks, annotated as a target by the Luftwaffe.
Document in German giving specific details of Belfast's waterworks as a potential Luftwaffe target.
"Die Wasserwerke"
Yesterday's "Blitz Map" kicked up some good discussion including the old 'the Luftwaffe bombed the waterworks by mistake thinking it was the docks'.
The waterworks were ALWAYS a primary target for the Luftwaffe. Take out the water supply and the city will burn.
📷 IWM (LBY LUFT5)
Full colour detailed map of Belfast dating from 1940.
"Stadtplan von Belfast mit Mil.-Geo.-Eintragungen"
Published by the OKW in 1940, this map shows the city of Belfast in great detail. Annotations single out military and industrial sites, many of which would sustain damage during the following year's Belfast Blitz.
(David Rumsey Collection)
Scott Edgar posing in front of a Second World War military vehicle.
Caricature of Scott Edgar in the style of a retro Panini football sticker.
Here's a caricature of me done by an actual real life artist and a photo of me doing my job and embracing my hobbies.
See, you don't HAVE to destroy the planet, put creatives' jobs at risk, contribute to data mining, and cheapen everything by generating AI slop!
On 4th February 1943, Lieutenant Bainbridge accompanied members of No. 12 and 33 Provost Company, A.T.S. in Northern Ireland showing their daily activities.
More photos here:
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A gable mural depicting scenes from the Belfast Blitz.
As we gear up for the 85th anniversary of The Belfast Blitz this year, we're keen to hear YOUR stories...
So, please share this post with your followers and let us know what you, your family or friends experienced during the Luftwaffe raids on Northern Ireland in April/May 1941.
A gable mural depicting scenes from the Belfast Blitz.
As we gear up for the 85th anniversary of The Belfast Blitz this year, we're keen to hear YOUR stories...
So, please share this post with your followers and let us know what you, your family or friends experienced during the Luftwaffe raids on Northern Ireland in April/May 1941.
Article from Derry Journal on 31st January 1940.
St. Brigid's Day
On 31st January 1941, the Derry Journal explained the weaving and the significance of the St. Brigid's Cross.
Washington County Free Library Photo: (WCRH019) (Part of the Western Maryland Room Collection). A soldier of the United States Army becomes accustomed to British currency on a payday in Northern Ireland. Photo taken by Larry Williams on 16th March 1942. Copyright Washington County Free Library.
Overpaid, over-sexed, and over here...
On 31st January 1942, United States Army Northern Ireland Force conducted its first payday. Troops received British currency with £1 GBP equal to $4.035 USD.
📷: Washington County Free Library WCRH019
Staff Sergeant Vincent P. Filippone (12188487) served in 3rd Combat Crew Replacement Center, 8th United States Army Air Force during the Second World War. He was born on 29th January 1923 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
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Podcast cover image.
Back in 2022, I had the privilege of talking with Auschwitz survivor Rachel Levy who found a post-war safe haven in Northern Ireland. Now more than ever, it's vital to educate on the horrors of the Holocaust.
A podcast episode worth a listen today:
wartimeni.com/audio/episod...
