WartimeNI | Northern Ireland during the Second World War
@wartimeni.com
Stories and sights from the Second World War in Northern Ireland from 1939-1945. Posts by Belfast-based Scott Edgar.
Throughout the Second World War, Falls Road Public Baths served as an A.R.P. firewatching centre. In the aftermath of the Belfast Blitz, the baths became a temporary morgue. Among those volunteering was James Dowling. We recently received a copy of a letter naming James and giving more details.
November 16, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Throughout the Second World War, Falls Road Public Baths served as an A.R.P. firewatching centre. In the aftermath of the Belfast Blitz, the baths became a temporary morgue. Among those volunteering was James Dowling. We recently received a copy of a letter naming James and giving more details.
Just finished this after picking it up recently in a charity shop. It's a beautifully written memoir of Irishman Peter Ross, Trinity College Dublin graduate, and post-war educator. 'All Valiant Dust' mainly deals with his time with 3 RTR from El Alamein to Market Garden.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
amzn.to/4r30oyo
⭐⭐⭐⭐
amzn.to/4r30oyo
November 15, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Just finished this after picking it up recently in a charity shop. It's a beautifully written memoir of Irishman Peter Ross, Trinity College Dublin graduate, and post-war educator. 'All Valiant Dust' mainly deals with his time with 3 RTR from El Alamein to Market Garden.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
amzn.to/4r30oyo
⭐⭐⭐⭐
amzn.to/4r30oyo
Ongoing thread that may be of interest to @britwarmemorial.bsky.social
30 days of memorials part 1.
Portadown, Co. Armagh.
The bronze sculpted soldier’s helmet has fallen back, revealing his head. This denotes fortitude, courage, and sacrifice for his country. Both the angel and the soldier stand on a base of sandbags and a gas mask, which represent the battlefield.
Portadown, Co. Armagh.
The bronze sculpted soldier’s helmet has fallen back, revealing his head. This denotes fortitude, courage, and sacrifice for his country. Both the angel and the soldier stand on a base of sandbags and a gas mask, which represent the battlefield.
November 15, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Ongoing thread that may be of interest to @britwarmemorial.bsky.social
On 10th November 1942, Sergeant Hugh McManus of Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry died when Douglas Boston III Z2164 collided with another plane from the squadron.
Read more:
wartimeni.com/profile/roya...
Read more:
wartimeni.com/profile/roya...
Hugh McManus - WartimeNI
On 10th November 1942, Sergeant Hugh McManus of Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry died when Douglas Boston III Z2164 collided with another plane from the squadron.
wartimeni.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:17 PM
On 10th November 1942, Sergeant Hugh McManus of Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry died when Douglas Boston III Z2164 collided with another plane from the squadron.
Read more:
wartimeni.com/profile/roya...
Read more:
wartimeni.com/profile/roya...
A few more sights at the Irish Military Museum in Co. Meath.
November 9, 2025 at 4:14 PM
A few more sights at the Irish Military Museum in Co. Meath.
Lest we forget.
November 9, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Lest we forget.
Cokes and smokes and trucks. United States forces are well represented at the Irish Military Museum in Co. Meath. Plenty of other Allied artefacts (plus a non-algorithm-friendly bunch of Axis stuff).
November 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Cokes and smokes and trucks. United States forces are well represented at the Irish Military Museum in Co. Meath. Plenty of other Allied artefacts (plus a non-algorithm-friendly bunch of Axis stuff).
Great visit to the Irish Military Museum in Co. Meath for their Remembrance Weekend event today. Well worth visiting tomorrow from 10am-5pm. Plenty to see and experience, a chance to get hands on with history, and a very knowledgeable group including curator and collector William Sullivan.
November 8, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Great visit to the Irish Military Museum in Co. Meath for their Remembrance Weekend event today. Well worth visiting tomorrow from 10am-5pm. Plenty to see and experience, a chance to get hands on with history, and a very knowledgeable group including curator and collector William Sullivan.
Last night - 'Our Freedom Then And Now' with The Strand Belfast at Portview Trade Centre.
November 8, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Last night - 'Our Freedom Then And Now' with The Strand Belfast at Portview Trade Centre.
30 days of memorials part 1.
Portadown, Co. Armagh.
The bronze sculpted soldier’s helmet has fallen back, revealing his head. This denotes fortitude, courage, and sacrifice for his country. Both the angel and the soldier stand on a base of sandbags and a gas mask, which represent the battlefield.
Portadown, Co. Armagh.
The bronze sculpted soldier’s helmet has fallen back, revealing his head. This denotes fortitude, courage, and sacrifice for his country. Both the angel and the soldier stand on a base of sandbags and a gas mask, which represent the battlefield.
November 1, 2025 at 6:40 PM
30 days of memorials part 1.
Portadown, Co. Armagh.
The bronze sculpted soldier’s helmet has fallen back, revealing his head. This denotes fortitude, courage, and sacrifice for his country. Both the angel and the soldier stand on a base of sandbags and a gas mask, which represent the battlefield.
Portadown, Co. Armagh.
The bronze sculpted soldier’s helmet has fallen back, revealing his head. This denotes fortitude, courage, and sacrifice for his country. Both the angel and the soldier stand on a base of sandbags and a gas mask, which represent the battlefield.
Made a quick appearance on a livestream yesterday evening, something of a surprise last-minute call up from the bench.
'This Week in the Second World War' with Edmund O'Sullivan and Dr. Joseph Quinn is well worth an hour or so of your time every Tuesday.
youtu.be/VV63B3LsQvI
'This Week in the Second World War' with Edmund O'Sullivan and Dr. Joseph Quinn is well worth an hour or so of your time every Tuesday.
youtu.be/VV63B3LsQvI
Episode 9. Pope condemns totalitarianism; Greco-Italian War begins; Operation Supercharge
YouTube video by This Week in the Second World War
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Made a quick appearance on a livestream yesterday evening, something of a surprise last-minute call up from the bench.
'This Week in the Second World War' with Edmund O'Sullivan and Dr. Joseph Quinn is well worth an hour or so of your time every Tuesday.
youtu.be/VV63B3LsQvI
'This Week in the Second World War' with Edmund O'Sullivan and Dr. Joseph Quinn is well worth an hour or so of your time every Tuesday.
youtu.be/VV63B3LsQvI
Letters From The Blitz airs at 10.40pm on Thursday 30th October on BBC Northern Ireland. Available afterward on iPlayer.
Made by DoubleBand Films, Letters From The Blitz uses the letters that Helen Ramsey Turtle, a young American mother living in Belfast, wrote to her family in Denver, Colorado.
Made by DoubleBand Films, Letters From The Blitz uses the letters that Helen Ramsey Turtle, a young American mother living in Belfast, wrote to her family in Denver, Colorado.
October 29, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Letters From The Blitz airs at 10.40pm on Thursday 30th October on BBC Northern Ireland. Available afterward on iPlayer.
Made by DoubleBand Films, Letters From The Blitz uses the letters that Helen Ramsey Turtle, a young American mother living in Belfast, wrote to her family in Denver, Colorado.
Made by DoubleBand Films, Letters From The Blitz uses the letters that Helen Ramsey Turtle, a young American mother living in Belfast, wrote to her family in Denver, Colorado.
Very privileged to play a small part in this documentary. Letters From The Blitz airs at 10.40pm on Thursday 30th October on BBC Northern Ireland. Available afterward on iPlayer.
October 27, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Very privileged to play a small part in this documentary. Letters From The Blitz airs at 10.40pm on Thursday 30th October on BBC Northern Ireland. Available afterward on iPlayer.
One of our favourite books about the Belfast Blitz. "Vivid accounts bring the full horror of the Blitz to life" - Irish News.
Buy it here:
amzn.to/47lQtuK
#BookWeekNI
Buy it here:
amzn.to/47lQtuK
#BookWeekNI
October 22, 2025 at 7:17 PM
One of our favourite books about the Belfast Blitz. "Vivid accounts bring the full horror of the Blitz to life" - Irish News.
Buy it here:
amzn.to/47lQtuK
#BookWeekNI
Buy it here:
amzn.to/47lQtuK
#BookWeekNI
On 22nd October 1941, Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge photographed Sergeant Major Twist of Belfast in her A.T.S. uniform. The Chief Controller of the Auxiliary Territorial Service Jean Knox commended Twist’s impeccable appearance, referring to her as: "The smartest woman in the A.T.S. in Britain.".
October 22, 2025 at 6:09 PM
On 22nd October 1941, Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge photographed Sergeant Major Twist of Belfast in her A.T.S. uniform. The Chief Controller of the Auxiliary Territorial Service Jean Knox commended Twist’s impeccable appearance, referring to her as: "The smartest woman in the A.T.S. in Britain.".
MIDNIGHT AGAIN
A selection of the alert and animated letters that Helen Ramsey Turtle wrote back to her family in Denver, Colorado from Northern Ireland during the Second World War, edited by John Wilson Foster.
Buy it here:
amzn.to/47iELRw
#BookWeekNI
A selection of the alert and animated letters that Helen Ramsey Turtle wrote back to her family in Denver, Colorado from Northern Ireland during the Second World War, edited by John Wilson Foster.
Buy it here:
amzn.to/47iELRw
#BookWeekNI
October 21, 2025 at 1:45 PM
MIDNIGHT AGAIN
A selection of the alert and animated letters that Helen Ramsey Turtle wrote back to her family in Denver, Colorado from Northern Ireland during the Second World War, edited by John Wilson Foster.
Buy it here:
amzn.to/47iELRw
#BookWeekNI
A selection of the alert and animated letters that Helen Ramsey Turtle wrote back to her family in Denver, Colorado from Northern Ireland during the Second World War, edited by John Wilson Foster.
Buy it here:
amzn.to/47iELRw
#BookWeekNI
What an enjoyable evening watching 'Letters from the Blitz'. It's always a pleasure listening to Julie Mackie talk about her mother, Helen Ramsey Turtle. Thanks to @ulstermuseum.org, BBC NI, and Book Week NI for hosting and a massive congrats to @doublebandfilms.bsky.social on a great documentary.
October 20, 2025 at 8:24 PM
What an enjoyable evening watching 'Letters from the Blitz'. It's always a pleasure listening to Julie Mackie talk about her mother, Helen Ramsey Turtle. Thanks to @ulstermuseum.org, BBC NI, and Book Week NI for hosting and a massive congrats to @doublebandfilms.bsky.social on a great documentary.
On 18th October 1945, Judge Mr. Justice Hallett presided at the Old Bailey in London. He found 32-year-old Charles Edward Cottrell “insane” and "unfit to plead". Cottrell had shot dead Belfast-born F/S Andrew Joy Welsh at Dohazari Airfield, Bangladesh.
More info:
wartimeni.com/profile/roya...
More info:
wartimeni.com/profile/roya...
Andrew Joy Welsh - WartimeNI
On 4th May 1944, Charles Edward Cottrell repeatedly fired a Sten Gun into a passing lorry killing fellow serviceman Flight Sergeant Andrew Joy Welsh of Belfast.
wartimeni.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
On 18th October 1945, Judge Mr. Justice Hallett presided at the Old Bailey in London. He found 32-year-old Charles Edward Cottrell “insane” and "unfit to plead". Cottrell had shot dead Belfast-born F/S Andrew Joy Welsh at Dohazari Airfield, Bangladesh.
More info:
wartimeni.com/profile/roya...
More info:
wartimeni.com/profile/roya...
18th October 1943.
Major General Llewellyn Isaac Gethin Morgan-Owen welcomes Major General Walter Melville Robertson and troops of U.S. Army 2nd (Indianhead) Infantry Division to Belfast. Note the "wet paint" sign as the docks were likely spruced up for the event.
(📷: Imperial War Museum)
Major General Llewellyn Isaac Gethin Morgan-Owen welcomes Major General Walter Melville Robertson and troops of U.S. Army 2nd (Indianhead) Infantry Division to Belfast. Note the "wet paint" sign as the docks were likely spruced up for the event.
(📷: Imperial War Museum)
October 18, 2025 at 5:43 PM
18th October 1943.
Major General Llewellyn Isaac Gethin Morgan-Owen welcomes Major General Walter Melville Robertson and troops of U.S. Army 2nd (Indianhead) Infantry Division to Belfast. Note the "wet paint" sign as the docks were likely spruced up for the event.
(📷: Imperial War Museum)
Major General Llewellyn Isaac Gethin Morgan-Owen welcomes Major General Walter Melville Robertson and troops of U.S. Army 2nd (Indianhead) Infantry Division to Belfast. Note the "wet paint" sign as the docks were likely spruced up for the event.
(📷: Imperial War Museum)
On 17th October 1941, an Anti-Tank Battery took part in a training exercise with the 'Battery H.Q.' at a rural farmhouse near Lislap House, Gortin, Co. Tyrone.
(📷: IWM H 14682)
(📷: IWM H 14682)
October 17, 2025 at 9:16 PM
On 17th October 1941, an Anti-Tank Battery took part in a training exercise with the 'Battery H.Q.' at a rural farmhouse near Lislap House, Gortin, Co. Tyrone.
(📷: IWM H 14682)
(📷: IWM H 14682)
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (Colonel in Chief, Royal Corps of Signals) takes the salute during a parade of members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service while inspecting 59th Division Signals in Northern Ireland. Photo taken on 16th October 1942 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge.
October 16, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (Colonel in Chief, Royal Corps of Signals) takes the salute during a parade of members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service while inspecting 59th Division Signals in Northern Ireland. Photo taken on 16th October 1942 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge.
Lieutenant General H.E. Franklyn C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (G.O.C. B.T.N.I.) and Company Commander Captain Hedley Verity inspect B Company, 1st Battalion, The Green Howards at Omagh, Co. Tyrone. Photo taken on 15th October 1941 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge – War Office Photographer.
October 15, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Lieutenant General H.E. Franklyn C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (G.O.C. B.T.N.I.) and Company Commander Captain Hedley Verity inspect B Company, 1st Battalion, The Green Howards at Omagh, Co. Tyrone. Photo taken on 15th October 1941 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge – War Office Photographer.
The first stop for Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal and her attendant Miss Kenyon-Slaney on 14th October 1942 was Wallace Park, Lisburn, Co. Antrim. In her role as Colonel in Chief of the Royal Corps of Signals, she was a guest of Major General Majendie (G.O.C.N.I.) and Brigadier Hanson V.C.
October 14, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The first stop for Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal and her attendant Miss Kenyon-Slaney on 14th October 1942 was Wallace Park, Lisburn, Co. Antrim. In her role as Colonel in Chief of the Royal Corps of Signals, she was a guest of Major General Majendie (G.O.C.N.I.) and Brigadier Hanson V.C.
On 13th October 1942, the Princess Royal arrived at Government House at Hillsborough Castle. During her short visit to Northern Ireland, she stayed as a guest of the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn. Each day spent in Ulster saw several visits to hospitals and military establishments.
October 13, 2025 at 8:16 PM
On 13th October 1942, the Princess Royal arrived at Government House at Hillsborough Castle. During her short visit to Northern Ireland, she stayed as a guest of the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn. Each day spent in Ulster saw several visits to hospitals and military establishments.
Portrait of Lieutenant General Harold Edmund Franklyn C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (General Officer Commanding British Troops in Northern Ireland). Photo taken on 11th October 1941 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge – War Office Photographer.
(📷: IWM H 14615)
(📷: IWM H 14615)
October 11, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Portrait of Lieutenant General Harold Edmund Franklyn C.B., D.S.O., M.C. (General Officer Commanding British Troops in Northern Ireland). Photo taken on 11th October 1941 by Lieutenant J.R. Bainbridge – War Office Photographer.
(📷: IWM H 14615)
(📷: IWM H 14615)