Last Update - 20 November 2015

Robert Blair Mayne's involvement with the 5th.AA
In March 1939, prior to the outbreak of World War II, Blair Mayne had joined the Territorial Army in Newtownards. After training with the Queen's University Officer Training Corps, he received a commission in the 5th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery. In April 1940 he transferred to the Royal Ulster Rifles. Following Churchill's call to form a "butcher and bolt" raiding force following Dunkirk, Mayne volunteered for the newly formed 11 (Scottish) Commando. He first saw action in June 1941 as a lieutenant with 11 Commando, successfully leading his men during the Litani River operation in Lebanon against the Vichy French Forces.

From the "News Letter" March 1939

Seven new Majors for the Ulster Anti Aircraft Brigade - 8th. Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Capt.Robert Hogg Forbes - Formerly Royal Ulster Rifles - Of Gortagreenan, Cultra - Was Commissioned in the 5th.Royal Irish Rifles in August 1914 - Served in France and the Near East from May 1915 until December 1918 - Was promoted to Captain in November 1915 and mentioned in despatches June 1917.
Capt. Carl Watson Webb - Formerly Royal garrison Artillery - Of Rath House, Knock. Belfast - Was Commissioned in the Royal Garrison Artillery in October 1914 and served with the Salonika Expeditionary Force. He took an active part in the formation of the North of Ireland Flying Club in Newtownards and earned his "A" flying licence in November 1934 - He was a director of Webb & Co. of Newtownards
Capt.Robert Ferguson Henry - Formerly Royal Field Artillery
Capt.Victor Unsworth M.C. - Formerly Indian Army Reserve of Officers - Of 112 Kings Road, Belfast - Was commissioned to the 9th.Royal Irish Rifles through the Queens University O.T.C. - He was awarded the Military Cross after the battle of Messines in June 1917 and was transferred to the Indian Army and served in Palestine and Egypt. - Later became a salesman for the York Street Flax Spinning Co.
Seven new Majors for the Ulster Anti Aircraft Brigade - 3rd. Searchlight Regiment
Capt.Murray Forbes - Formerly Royal Ulster Rifles - Of Ava Cottage, Ballyvernot, Bangor - Commissioned in the 10th. Royal Irish Rifles in September 1914. Served in France and was gassed during the 3rd. battle for Ypres in August 1917. Subsequently attached to Headquarters of the 36th. Ulster Division and became instructor to a division of American troops - He was also a director of Samuel Lamont & Sons of Belfast
Capt. David Mitchell Anderson - Formerly Royal irish Rifles - Of Cree House, Craigavad - Manager of Anderson & McAuley Ltd. of Belfast and also a director of John Arnott & Co. - Commissioned in August 1914 after 3 years in the Queens University O.T.C. - 1915 went overseas and served with the 2nd.Royal Irish Rifles during the 2nd. battle for Ypres and was wounded, he returned to France in 1917 and subsequently held a staff appointment in India. - In 1924 he commanded a battalion of the C1 Special Constabulary.
Capt. William Angus Boyd Iliff - Formerly Indian Army - Of Rureagh, Kircubbin - Entered the Indian Army in 1916 and served on the north west frontier in Mesapotamia and North Persia - Resigned in 1921 and entered the civil service and became assistant secretary in the Ministry of Labour.

1939 Senior Officers List - 3rd. Anti-Aircraft Brigade
(R) Signifies a Regular Officer

Brigade H.Q.
Brigade Commander (R) - Brigadier P.L.Vining
Brigade Major (R) - Capt.G.P.D.Blacker R.A.
Staff Captain (R) - Captain S.J.Martin of the Hampshire Regimnet
8th.Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Regimental Commander - Lieut.Col.J.Patrick M.C. M.P.
Adjutant (R) - Capt.G.F.Barrett R.A.
Quartermaster - Capt. G.Norman
21st.Anti-Aircraft Battery
Commander - Major R.H.Forbes
2nd. in command - Capt. A.C.Workman
22nd.Anti-Aircraft Battery
Commander - Major R.F.Henry
2nd. in command - Capt. T.W.R.Deakin
23rd.Anti-Aircraft Battery
Commander - Major V.Unsworth
2nd. in command - Capt. J.A.Glenn
5th. Light-Anti-Aircraft Battery
Commander - Major K.W.Webb
2nd. in command - Capt. J.H.Dougan
Medical Officer - Lieutenant R.P.Smyth M.B.

9th.Anti-Aircraft Regiment
Regimental Commander (R) - Lieut.Col. G.L.S.Smith O.B.E. M.C.
Adjutant (R) - Capt.J.G.Tyrell R.A.
Quartermaster - Lieut. H.E.Farley
24th.Anti-Aircraft Battery
Commander - Major W.P.Lambert
2nd. in command - Capt. G.S.Maxwell
25th.Anti-Aircraft Battery
Commander (R) - Major F.Dearden
2nd. in command - Capt. Sir Basil McFarland-Bart
26th.Anti-Aircraft Battery
Commander - Major A.O.Traill
2nd. in command - Capt. S.B.Haughton
6th. Light-Anti-Aircraft Battery
Commander (R) - Major W.W.Allison
2nd. in command - Capt. J.G.Siderfin
Medical Officer - Lieutenant W.R.Cunningham M.B.

3rd. Searchlight Regiment
Regimental Commander - Lieut.Col. F.C.Wallace D.S.O. M.C.
Adjutant (R) - Capt. J.O.Laine
Quartermaster - Lieut. J.C.Craddock
9th. Searchlight Battery
Commander - Major D.M.Anderson
2nd. in command - Capt. A.J.F.Willington
10th. Searchlight Battery
Commander - Major M.Forbes
2nd. in command - Capt. C.A.G.Gamble
11th. Searchlight Battery
Commander - Major W.A.B.Illiff
2nd. in command - Capt. G.R.B.McConnell
12th. Searchlight Battery
Commander - Major R.L.Heard M.C.

Medical Officers - Lieut. Lieut. S.T.Irwin M.B. - Lieut. H.C.Greeves M.B.

3rd. Anti-Aircraft Brigade (R.A.S.C)
Commander (R) - Capt. J.Courtis
3rd. Anti-Aircraft Brigade (Workshops R.A.O.C.)
Commander (R) - ?
Adjutant (R) - Lieut. G.S.Escritt

1st. April 1939 Supplementary Reserve Officers List

3rd. Anti-Aircraft Brigade Company (R.A.S.C)
Newly promoted to Lieutenant as from 1st. April 1939
George Adair Heaney (Late R.G.A)
William Higson
Newly promoted to 2nd. Lieutenant as from 1st. April 1939
James Stewart Erwin (Late Cadet Lance-Corporal Campbell College O.T.C.)
James Fitchie

3rd. Anti-Aircraft Brigade (Supplementary reserve of Officers)
Promoted to Captain
Thomas Ronald Welsby Deakin - LOate Capt. R.A.S.C. T.A.
Lieut. James Alexander Glenn - Late R.G.A.
Lieut. James Hamilton Dougan - Late Royal Irish Rifles
Lieut. Arthur Coates Workman - Late Royal irish Rifles
Promoted to Lieutenant 1st. April 1939 with regimental seniority 6th. March 1939 and precedence next above Lieut.F.A.McMullan
James Felix Haig - Late Cadet Lance-Corporal Shrewsbury School O.T.C. - Learn more about James Felix Haig HERE
Joseph Patrick Robson - Late Cadet Corporal Trent College O.T.C.
Maurice Hope Johnston - Late Cadet Campbell College O.T.C.
James Glencairn Cunningham - Late Cadet Corporal Fettes College O.T.C.
Ronald Newell - Late Cadet Lance-Corporal Cheltenham College O.T.C.
Promoted to Lieutenant 1st. April 1939
Thomas McLean Riddell - Late Cadet Glasgow High School O.T.C.
Rowland Morrow Byers - Late Cadet Dorporal Campbell College O.T.C.
John Morrison Atkinson - Late Cadet Lance-Corporal Sedbergh School O.T.C.
James McDonald - ?
Joseph Cuthbert Mitchell - Late Cadet Sedbergh School O.T.C.
Promoted to 2nd. Lieutenant 1st. April 1939 with regimental seniority 20th. February 1939 and precedence next above 2nd.Lieutenant R.Stephens
Hugh Maurice Gabbey - ?
Arthur Henry Bates - Late Cadet Lance-Corporal Winchester College O.T.C.
Officer Cadet James Harold Beers - Late Queens University O.T.C.
Edward Moore Griffiths - Late Officer Cadet Queens University O.T.C.
Richard Forester Rutledge Uprichard - Late Shrewsbury School O.T.C.
Hugh Semple McMeekin - Late Officer Cadet Queens University O.T.C.
Archibald Carr - Late Cadet Sedburgh School O.T.C.
Promoted to 2nd. Lieutenant 1st. April 1939 with regimental seniority 20th. February 1939 and precedence next above 2nd.Lieutenant W.C.A.Robinson
Alfred Edward Cunningham - Late Officer Cadet Queens University O.T.C.
Promoted to 2nd. Lieutenant 6th. March 1939 with regimental seniority 20th. February 1939 and precedence next below 2nd.Lieut. A.L.Croasdaile and above 2nd.Lieutenant R.B.Mayne
Edward John Garrett - Late Cadet Corporal Campbell College O.T.C.
Roger McKibbin - Late Queens University O.T.C.
David Charles Beresford Holden - Late Cadet Serjeant Rossall School O.T.C.
William Norman Brann - Late Officer Cadet Queens University O.T.C.
John Magnus Gray - Cadet Lance-Serjeant Winchester College O.T.C.
Promoted to 2nd. Lieutenant 1st. April 1939
Brendan Charles Maguire - Late Cadet Serjeant Downside School O.T.C.
Gunner James Roland Elliott - From of 188th. Antrim Fortress Battery R.A. (T.A.) - Late Cadet Felsted School O.T.C.
Alan Robert Megaw - Late Cadet Serjeant Campbell College O.T.C.
Robert Henry Reade - Late Cadet Serjeant Wellington College O.T.C.
Robert LLoyd Hall-Thompson - Late Cadet Campbell College O.T.C.
John Stewart Pollock - Late Cadet Campbell College O.T.C.

9th. Anti-Aircraft Regiment - Promoted to Lieutenant 1st. April 1939 with regimental seniority 20th. February 1939 above Lieut.D.J.Christie
Guy Owen Lawrence Young - Late Royal Irish Rifles
Thomas Henry Redfern Dowzer
Neil Doherty
Leslie Johnston Woodside - Late Cadet Corporal Campbell College
Cyril Anthony DeLacy Nicholson - Late Cadet Under-Officer Downshire School
William Lowry Lenox-Conyngham - Late Cadet Wellington College
9th. Anti-Aircraft Regiment - Promoted to Lieutenant 1st. April 1939
Charles Brian Clark - Late Cadet Shrewsbury School
George Miller Harvey - Late Cadet Portora Royal School
John Lawson Baxter
Harold Hamilton McCullagh - Late Cadet Portora Royal School
9th. Anti-Aircraft Regiment - Promoted to 2nd. Lieutenant 1st. April 1939 with regimental seniority 20th. February 1939 above 2nd.Llieut.R.Wray
Emerson Hulme Babington - Late Cadet Lance-Corporal Portora Royal School
John Weir - Late Cadet Lance-Corporal Campbell College
Gunner Alexander Reginald McLean - From 9th.A.A.Regiment R.A.Support Reserve - Late Cadet Bridlington School
Gerald Stanley Glover
Cecil Moody Taylor
Thomas Francis Glass
Allen Joseph Welch - Late Cadet Corporal Uppingham School
Leonard Butler - Late Officer cadet Queens University
John Kershaw - Late Cadet Merchant Taylors School
Norman Lloyd Sampson - Late Cadet Lance-Corporal Bristol University
Louis Warden Crooks - Late Cadet Campbell College
Gunner Robert Halley Henderson - From 9th.A.A.Regiment R.A.Support Reserve - Late Cadet Cranleigh School
9th. Anti-Aircraft Regiment - Promoted to 2nd. Lieutenant 1st. April 1939
Thomas Evans Carlisle Henderson
James Douglas Alexander Henderson - Late Cadet Serjeant Portora Royal School
Alexander Wyndham Hume Stewart-Moore
Nathan Abram Gordon
John McConnell - Late Cadet Campbell College
Robin Benjamin Bunch Coleman - late Cadet Corporal Campbell College
Alexander Gwynne Harpur - Cadet Serjeant Campbell College
Herbert Moore Humphreys
Robert William Mackey Pollock
William Martin Jackson - Late Cadet Corporal Sedbergh School
Arthur Williams Hogg - Late Cadet Campbell College
James Cyril Sproulle Colhoun - Late Cadet Lance-Corporal - Wrekin College

3rd. Searchlight Regiment - Promoted to Captain 1st. April 1939
George Roland Begley McConnell
Lieut.Colin Adair Gamble - From Regular Army Reserve of Officers - Foresters
Lieut. A.J.F.Willington - From From Regular Army Reserve of Officers - Suffolk Regiment
3rd. Searchlight Regiment - Promoted to Lieutenant 1st. April 1939 with regimental seniority 1st.February 1939 next above Lieut.W.H.Gracey
James Dickson Ferguson - Late Cadet Corporal Winchester College
3rd. Searchlight Regiment - Promoted to Lieutenant 1st. April 1939
John Edwards Jones
Henry Gerald Crawford - Late Officer Cadet Queens University
William Stuart Wright - Late Officer Cadet Queens University
Alfred Lamont Martin - Late Officer Cadet Queens University
John Devenish Condy
James Entwistle Johnston - Late Cadet Shrewsbury School
George Edwin McCaw - Late Cadet Corporal Campbell College
Arthur William Allen - Late Under Officer Merchant Taylors School
William Cecil McKee - Late Officer Cadet Queens University
3rd. Searchlight Regiment - Promoted to 2nd. Lieutenant 1st. April 1939
Humphrey Barron Montgomery
John Andrew Armstrong
Gerald Wilson Reside - late Cadet Campbell College
Roger Howard Addison McFerran - Late Cadet Imperial Service College
Frederick John Stratford
James Burgoyne Baird - Late Cadet Campbell College
Winwick Mille Hewitt - Late 2nd.lieutenant R.A.S.C. (T.A.)
Rollo Ellis McClure - Late Cadet Corporal Sedbergh School
William Leslie Brand - Late Cadet Lance-Corporal Wrekin College
Kenneth Duncan Adams - Late Cadet Campbell College
William Joseph Harman
Sydney Herman Romar
William Reginald Montgomery - late Cadet Shrewsbury School
Alexander Stewart
Thomas Browne Dunn - Late Cadet C.S.M. Campbell College
Alexander Purse Murdock - Late Cadet Rossall School
Arthur Stanley Boyd - Late Cadet C.S.M. Campbell College
Arthur Buckley Sinton - Late cadet Lance-Corporal Shrewsbury School
Desmond Frederick Bradley - Late cadet Lance-Corporal Rossall School
Brien D'Arcy Leitch
Sapper Robert Norman Cecil Scott - From Antrim Fortress Company R.E. (T.A)
Norman Grimshaw
Ernest Nikola Cooke - Late Cadet Malvern College

3rd. Anti-Aircraft Brigade (Signals) - Promoted to Lieutenant as of 14st. April 1939
Vivian Ernest Stanley - Late Lieutenent T.A. reserve of Officers
2nd. Lieutenent G.R.Edwards - From Supplementary reserve of Officers Royal  Signals
Gilbert Harold Metson
3rd. Anti-Aircraft Brigade (Signals) - Promoted to 2nd. Lieutenant as of 14st. April 1939
Eric John Gordon Tucker - Late cadet Lance-Serjeant Tonbridge School
Christopher Francis Cecil Lindsay - Late Cadet Lance-Corporal marlborough College

Other 1939
Capt. T.R.W.Deakin of the Green Dunmurry transfers from the T.A. to the Anti Aircraft Brigade - He was also mamager of Joseph Rank Ltd. Flour Millers Belfast

The 5th. Light moved to Egypt in November 1939

5th. AA Battery during WW2 - Click to ENLARGE

Added Sept.2014 - Click to ENLARGE

Added Sept.2014 - Click to ENLARGE

Pritchard, William John - WW2 - Seige of Tobruk - Lost a leg in the battle - Brother of Gunner James Pritchard of the 5th. A.A.

Thompson, Bdr.William - WW2 - North Africa - 5th. Light Anti Aircraft Battery - Sent a telegram home stating he was in hospital but otherwise safe and well

The following are still under research

Bangor - Reported Missing
Montgomery, Gunner Harry -  -Later reported safe
Malcolm, Sgt.Ian -
McMurray, Staff Sgt.T
Coey, Sgt.Archibald -
Finlay, Gunner Robert
Smyth, Sgt. Robert McClean "Bertie"
Scott, Sgt.A.J. - Groomsport Road,
Davey, Rev.R.R."Ray"
McCutcheon, Bdr.Thomas
Douglas, Gunner James
Major, Gunner Carlisle
Finlay, Gunner Robert
Stewart, Gunner William
Lynas, Bdr.Andrew
Morrow, Gunner John
Patterson, Gunner Patrick
Flynn, L/Bdr.Edward
Sweeney, Gunner James
Jones, Gunner George
Montgomery, Gunner Robert
Conway, Gunner David
Savage, Gunner Leslie

Newtownards - Reported Missing
McCready, Thomas - Frances Street - Married with two children
McCready, Gunner Adam - Robert Street - Brother of above Thomas - Married with 5 children
West, L/Bdr.Joseph - Frances Street Place - Married with 2 children
Montgomery, Gunner Andrew Johnston - Frances Street - Was a native of Conlig and member of Conlig Accordion Band who played at dances in aid of the Ards F.C. Supporters Club - Married with 1 child
Roddy, Gunner James - Georges Street - Married with 4 children - Was later confirmed as prisoner of war .. find out more HERE
Wallace, Gunner Elias Miskelly - 2 Marquis Street - Son of Mr. & Mrs. James Wallace of Bangor Road
Wallace, Gunner William - Bangor Road - Son of Mr. & Mrs. James Wallace of Bangor Road
Murphy, Gunner David - Bangor Road
Johnston, L.Bdr.William - Donaghadee Road
McClinton, Gunner David - Of Zion Place
Arnold, Gunner Joseph - Greenwell Street - Married with 3 children
Savage, L/Bdr.David McClements - Greenwell Street - Married with 1 child
Bailie, Gunner William Robert - Greenwell Street - Unmarried
Arnott, Gunner Joseph - Greenwell Street - Married 2 children
Kearney, Gunner John - Greenwell Street - Ards summer league footballer, played for Ards 2nd.XI
Kearney, Gunner Thomas - Greenwell Street - Brother to above- Goalkeeper for the Junior 2nd.X1
Wilton, Gunner James - Greenwell Street - Married with 2 children - Worked at Borough Council Gas Works
Lowry, Sgt.Thomas - Old Shore Road - Married
Rollo, Sgt.Bob - Wallaces Street No.1 - A member of Ards Rugby Club and Ards Swimming Club
Davidson, Sgt.Alexander - Wallaces Street No.2 - Married with 6 children
Adair, Gunner Robert - Wallaces Street No.2 - Married with 3 children
Robb, Gunner John - Queen Street - Married with 1 child
McBlain, Gunner William - Queen Street - Married with 4 children - He had 2 other brothers serving - One a Sgt.Major and the other, John with H.M.Minesweepers - Another brother was attached to the National Fire Service
Mullin, Gunner John - Queen Street - Married - Had three other brothers serving, Joseph Royal Navy, James R.A.F. and William in the Army.
Kilpatrick, Bdr.Richard - South Street - Married with 1 child
Magowan, Gunner Herbert - Racewiew Terrace off the Comber Road - Married with 5 children
Murphy, Gunner Alexander - Mill Street - Married with 6 children - (Brother of Gunner David Bangor Road, above)
Pollock, Gunner George - Mill Street - Married with 2 children
Johnston, Gunner James - Mill Street - Married with 3 children
Campbell, Gunner Robert - Mill Street
West, Bdr.Pat - Mill Street - Married with 2 children
Shaw, L/Bdr.David - William Street - aged 21 - Played in the C.L.B. Band and was a member of the Boys Brigade
Gamble, Gunner David - William Street - Married with 4 children
Cairns, Gunner Jack - Whitespots - Married with 4 children - Mother lived on William Street
McKee, Sgt.Thomas - James Street - Played for Ards Rugby Club and was a keen sportsman - Was ther during the seige of Tobruk when the garrison successfully held out for 8 months.
Graham, Gunner James - Mark Street - his other brother Gunner will was killed in action.
Carnduff, Gunner Samuel - Mark Street
McConkey, Gunner Samuel - Mark Street - Married with 1 child
Kerr, Gunner Samuel - Mark Street - Married 6 children
Hulley, Sgt.Ronald Frederick - North Street - Married with 2 children
Meredith, Gunner Harry - Ann Street - His wafe was staying with her mother in Portaferry - His brother James was killed during the seige of Tobruk
McKibbin, Gunner Hugh - East Street - Married with 5 children
Heron, Bdr.Robert - East Street
Jamison, Gunner Bob - East Street - Married with 3 children
Cummins, Gunner Robert - East Street
Patton, Sgt.W. - Darraghs Lane off Church Street - Married with 2 children

The following are some of those who paid the ultimate price.

Adair, Robert H. - WW2 - Serjeant 5th. Light A.A. - Of 41 Wallaces Street No.2 - Missing presumed dead

Corry, Henry - 5th. May 1941 - Gunner 1544177 175 Btry. 66th. Light Anti Aircraft Regt. Royal Artillery - Died on active service WW2
Son of David and Margaret Corry and husband to Margaret M. Corry

Cromie, Robert - 20th. June 1942 - Of Ballywalter - Killed in action in Libya

Dalzell, Joseph - 25th. September 1941 aged 36 - {b.c1905} - Gunner 1476588 5th. Btry. 22nd. Light Anti Aircraft Regt. Royal Artillery
Son of William and Agnes Dalzell and husband to Ellen Dalzell - Died on active service WW2

Davidson, Alexander - 21st. June 1942 aged 40 - Serjeant 7007149 5th. Btry. 2nd. Light Anti Aircraft Regt. Royal Artillery
Son of Hugh and Julia Davidson and husband to Agnes K. Davidson

Gibson, John Malcolmson - 20th. June 1942 aged 30 - Lieutenant 126704 - 5th. Btry. 45th. Light Anti Aircraft Regt. Royal Artillery
Son of James and Mary Eleanor Gibson - Before joining up he was Principal of Ballystockart P.E.School - He had been a pupil of Regent House Grammar School and was a member of Ards Lacrosse Team. He also played several times for Ards. F.C. and was also involved with the Ards Rugby Club and once held the position of Captain. He was a member of the choir and congregation of Newtownards First Presbyterian Church. One opf his sisters Miss Mary Gibson is a member of the Newtownards Borough Council Gas Works

Graham, Samuel - 25th. September 1941 aged 32 - {b.c1909} - Gunner 1483918 - 5th. Btry. 2nd. Light Anti Aircraft Regt. Royal Artillery
Son of William and Agnes Graham and husband to Greta Graham

Graham, William - 26th. April 1941 aged 35 - Gunner 148427 - 5th. Btry. 2nd. Light Anti Aircraft Regt. Royal Artillery
Son of Robert and Mary Graham

Jamison, Robert - WW2 - Gunner 5th. Light A.A. - Of 128 East Street - Missing presumed dead

Johnston, Harold - 10th. June 1942 - Bombardier 1477283 5th. Btry. 2nd. Light Anti Aircraft Regt. - Tobruk - Originally of Killarn

Kerr, Samuel - WW2 - Gunner 5th. Light A.A. - Of 77 Mark Street - Missing presumed dead

Kirk, Thomas Leonard - 5th. December 1941 aged 27 - {b.c1914} - Of 33 South Street - Sergeant 1465494 5th. Btry. 2nd. Light Anti Aircraft Regt. Royal Artillery - Died of wounds
Son of Hugh and Maud Kirk and husband to Jessie Kirk

McBlain, William - 11th. September 1943 aged 38 - El Alamein - Of 22 Upper Movilla Street - Gunner 1472662 - 5th. Bty. 2nd. Light Anti Aircraft Regt. Royal Artillery
Son of Stewart and Margaret McBlain - Husband to Rose Ann Stevenson

McClinton, David - 21st. June 1942 - Gunner 1468863 - 5th. Btry. 2nd. Light Anti Aircraft regt. Royal Artillery
Son of Andrew and Agnes McClinton - Memorial Acroma Tobruk Libya

McCready, Adam - WW2 - Gunner 5th. A.A. Royal Artillery - Of 12 Robert Street - Missing presumed dead

McKibbin, Hugh - WW2 - Gunner 5th. Light A.A. - Of East Street - Missing presumed dead

McNeilly, William John - 25th. September 1941 aged 39 - {b.c1902} - Bombardier 7007543 - 5th. Bty. 2nd. Light Anti Aircraft Regt. Royal Artillery
Son of William John and Ellen McNeilly and husband to Margaret Kathleen McNeilly - Tobruk Cemetery

Meredith, James - 25th. September 1941 - Gunner 1467261 - 5th. Bty. 2nd. Light Anti Aircraft Battery Royal Artillery - Tobruk

Pollock, George - WW2 - Gunner 5Th.. Light A.A. - Of 107 Mill Street - Missing presumed dead

Pritchard, James - WW2 - Gunner 5Th.. Light A.A. - Of 21 Scrabo Road - Missing presumed dead
A married man with two children

Shaw, David - WW2 - 1467327 Lance Bombardier 5th. Light A.A. - Of 26 William Street - P.O.W.

5th. AA Battery at a reunion in the New Savoy Hotel,   in the 1960
The re-union came about after a previous conversation between Mr.& Mrs. William John Pritchard of Newtownards
Mr.Jules Dorrian of Newtownards, Mr. & Mrs. H.Patterson of  and Mr.C.Fields of
Click on image to visit name tagged page

Jules Dorrian, 5LAA Bty and five other Gunners managed to escape from Rommels troops and were posted to 6LAA Battery.

1942 was the year I escaped from Tobruk. That Friday on the 20th June we watched all the heavy guns and tanks going down the coast road in the direction of El Alamein.
There we were sitting on the wee Bofors 2 pounder on top of a wadi. I said to Captain J Gibson, “There is something wrong here, leaving us here with all the heavy stuff and tanks heading away”.
But it was Rommel and his Afrika Korps coming down from Benghazi. The hospital ship left from Tobruk harbour that Day. My friend McGinn was on board.
The next morning at 6am everything was let loose on us. The shells were going over our heads into the harbour. All we had for breakfast were two sling peaches and a cup of tea. Joe Arnott came along and told us about the first deaths at our position. Captain Gibson, Sgt Davidson, Davy McClinton and an English lad attached to us were killed in their gun pit at the NAAFI bulk stores.
Lt. Craig from Newry ordered Sgt McFadden to send me over to take charge of Sgt Davidson’s gun. The Sgt disagreed and told Lance Sgt Anderson from S. Ireland to go instead. L/Sgt Anderson jumped into a 3 ton lorry driven by Freddy Steels and drove straight into German captivity.
At that stage Lt Craig said it was everybody for them selves. First, we knocked down the sand bags from the top of the gun pit and started firing at the advancing Germans.
They broke through in an 8cwt Bug van and waved a black and white flag for us to surrender. At that stage I was suffering with concussion from the bomb blasts. Lt Craig, Sgt McFadden and Joe Arnott left us and it was everyone for themselves.
Our position was on the perimeter and only an overhead blast would have caught us because we were in a gully. I told the three gunners with me to stay together and make for the harbour.
We reached the jetty next to a landing craft. It was a desperate sight to see. The Navy boys were getting blown out of the water wholesale. After 60 years the sights I witnessed still give me bother.
Jules will soon have his own page in his memory ...

February 1940 - Ernest Allen - James Felix Haig - Billy Arthur

Learn more about James Felix Haig HERE

L-R Rear = Major Pountney - Bob Taylor - Sydney Carver - Billy Arthur
L-R Front = Ernest Allen - Major Webb - James Felix Haig

Johnny McGinn

A short story about one mans time with the 5th. AA - Johnny McGinn

  Johnny joined in September 1939 aged 19 along with 5 other Ardsmen from in and around Movilla Street , 2 months later he found himself in Tobruk and facing Hitlers elite desert troops. Later he was to receive a back injury whilst helping operate a Bofors Gun which saw him shipped out by hospital ship just 4 hours before the Germans overan the port ,... After treatment in a Cairo Hospital and a spell of convalescence in Palestine he returned to base camp in Cairo to join some old comrades Jule Dorrian and Willie Hutchinson of the 5th. who had escaped from Tobruk .. Soon after he was to return to the desert but this time with the insignia of the 6th. AA.. Afer seeing action at El Alemain with Montgomery's men and the defeat of Rommel his group were boarded on a ship at Alexandria and supplied with tropical kit... oh. no not Burma ... but it was a ruse by the high command to throw the Germans off the scent of the real destination which was a return to Blighty and some training for the coming D.Day assault ...  Johnny fought the Germans all the way accros Europe to Berlin where he was to receive his only war wound, just days before the German surrender.  On hearing that he was to board yet another hospital ship for the journey home he was asked if he would mind sharing a cabin with 2 others, not a problem until he learned they were two dead American Marines,. Johnny chose to sleep in the corridor,.  Johnny McGinn survived the horrors of WW2 and returned to live his life out in his home town of Newtownards.

Newspaper Report in the "Spectator" - An airgraph and cable were received by Mr.Thomas McGinn of Movilla Street from his son Gunner John, it read "All well and safe, please don't worry"

The poem below was from in an old Chronicle and sent in by Carol Ferguson

THE 5th LIGHT A.A. BATTERY,NEWTOWNARDS

The grand old district of the Ards
Has always loyal been,
Where volunteers were sought to serve
Their Country and their King

It has a glorious history
Of men who fought and died,
And handed down the heritage
We now enjoy with pride

And now a new addition
Has been added to the cause,
Composed of local men who joined
The ranks without a pause.

They’re stationed in an army camp,
Somewhere across the sea,
In training for their duty –
The defence of liberty,

To fight for those they left at home
In village, town or wards,
The 5th Light A.A. Battery from
The district of the Ards.

They mostly come from Newtownards,
And Bangor, County down,
But some are from Grey Abbey,
And the districts all around

A finer lot could ne’er be found
On the peninsula shore,
To follow in the steps of those
Who have gone on before.

These brave men all responded to
The Nation’s duty call,
And to their King and Country
Are a credit one and all,

Dressed in their khaki uniform,
They all look gay and bright,
No better colours could be found
To check the German might.

Together with their countrymen
On land, on sea or air,
They’ll play their part courageously,
And always do their share

To crush the Nazi regime,
And to make their leaders cease
Their terror and their tyranny,
And set the world at peace.

We pray that God will comfort them,
And guide them in the strife,
And bring them all safe home again
To mother, dad or wife,

And may He give them victory,
And let their voices ring,
With praises for Almighty God,
And sing "God Save the King".

B.R.