UPDATED 21.01.2016
I've just received the following email. If anyone can help please contact me at nalilblog@gmail.com
Sir,
I am aware that both the United States Army and later the Belgian Army were based in Ballycastle during the Second World War.
The United States Army had their Field Force Replacement Depot 6 in Ballycastle. and were accompanied by Company I of 3 Battalion, 118 Infantry Regiment.
The Belgian Army retained Bren Carriers and Heavy Weapons at Ballycastle.
I would like very much to know where abouts these Units were based.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Andy
US Army/Army Air Force: Units from UK Station List
(as of 30 April 1944)
Bally Castle Field Force Replacement Depot 6, Casual Detachment 24 Antrim, NI D1342
Ballybog(y) 4010 Quartermaster Truck Company Antrim, NI (C9?3?) BLANK
Ballybog(y) 4010 Quartermaster Truck Company Antrim, NI (C9?3?) BLANK
Ballymoney Field Force Replacement Depot 6, Casual Detachment 23 Antrim, NI C9526
Ballymoney Quartermaster Depot Q–111, Quartermaster Sub Depot Antrim, NI C9526
Ballymoney 553 Quartermaster Railhead Company Antrim, NI C9526
Peter Molloy, a Ballycastle local historian, writes:
"Think the Belgians were here before the Yanks. The man who could have told us all about the wartime visitors was Armando Bertuccelli, I remember him saying he had collected cap badges from every regiment stationed in Ballycastle, and there were quite a few. The Yanks were billeted in the Quay Rd Playing Fields, probably in tents for the ordinary GI. When I was a kid in the 50's you could still see the concrete bases of Nissen huts on the mound where the modern flower beds are, they were probably for washrooms toilets and kitchens. Officers mess was in several private houses on Quay Rd. NCOs mess was in the Manor House factory wing. Troops were also billeted in Derganagh House grounds, now High School Playing Fields. and out at Corrymeela and on my Anderson ancestors farm across the road from it. One theory for the American presence was that they were using White Park Bay as a practice landing site for the D-Day invasion, as it was similar to one of the invasion beaches. They jived the night away in the Dalriada Hall, Barney Wilson's Dance Hall where Spences shop is now. And Paddy Duffin opened a coffee bar/ice cream parlour for them on Ann St, now subsumed into McCaughan's chemist."
Added 20 January 2016
A Ballycastle friend very kindly sent me scans of a photo and the names on the reverse:
The boys from Company L
John Holbrook has sent me a list and a map of some of the US army locations on the north side of Ballycastle:
This area was very rural during WW2.
Map is based on WW2 period but using current house nos., developments, etc.,etc. to show locations,etc.
5 Clare [Pk.] Road- Dunaneanie- Holbrook Family home.
45 North St. [Quay Hill]-Kenmara Ho.-White Lodge- troops stationed here.
3 Rathlin Rd.[New Rd.]- Rath-Ushard. -troops stationed here.
Lir Court - [ Kathleen Boyd's,-Greer's Field.] - used as rifle and weapon range.
These notes are from family oral history
Added 26.01.2016
I've found the first three names on the back of the photo in US military records enlisting at Fort George G Meade, Maryland on 25 March 1942. Perhaps I'll be able to confirm that these three are indeed the young men in the photo. The records show a Stephen John Wilcosky from Fayette, PA, a Harold Philip Seaholm from Westmoreland, PA and a William H Weaver from Washington, PA. I've also been told that Malkin's first name was David.
