War Declared: the local impact of World War II Memorial Card for Rifleman Patrick Joseph Treanor, Linenhall Square, Newry, of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles, who was killed on active service in Belgium on 28th May 1940, aged 20. Newry and Mourne Museum Collection Réamhrá an Chathaoirligh Chairperson’s Foreword Tá lúcháair orm réamhrá a scríobh don leabhrán I am delighted to write the foreword to this taispeántais seo a théann leis an taispeántas exhibition booklet, which accompanies War sealadach dar teideal “Cogadh Fógartha: an Declared: the local impact of World War II, tionchar a bhí ag an Dara Cogadh Domhanda go a temporary exhibition at Newry and háitiúil” atá in Iarsmalann an Iúir agus Mhúrn. Mourne Museum. D’fhógair An Ríocht Aontaithe cogadh ar an The United Kingdom declared War on Germany Ghearmáin ar 3 Meán Fómhar 1939, agus tá an on 3 September 1939 and this major exhibition taispeántas suntasach seo ag comóradh ochtó marks the eightieth anniversary of the outbreak bliain ó bhris an Dara Cogadh Domhanda amach, of World War II by looking at the impact of the trí shúil a chaitheamh ar thionchar na coimhlinte conflict on Newry and Mourne. Key themes in ar an Iúr agus Múrna. I measc phríomhthéamaí the exhibition include preparations for war in an taispeántais cuirtear béim ar na hullmhúcháin the area during the late 1930s, Civil Defence, a rinneadh sa cheantar don chogadh go mall local recruitment in the armed forces, evacuees, sna 1930í, Cosaint Shibhialta, earcaíocht áitiúil rationing and smuggling, regiments stationed in sna fórsaí armtha, aslonnaithe, ciondáil agus the area and the arrival of American troops and smuigleáil, reisimintí a bhí lonnaithe sa cheantar, airmen in 1942. The exhibition also considers the agus teacht trúpaí agus eitleoirí na Stát Aontaithe effect of the war on the local economy, especially sa bhliain 1942. Chomh maith leis sin, sa in the context of a Border community, and the taispeántas seo pléitear impleachtaí an Chogaidh legacy of war in the area in the later 1940s ar an gheilleagar áitiúil, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs and 1950s. phobal an teorann, agus oidhreacht an Chogaidh ar an cheantar go mall sna 1940í agus 1950í. These themes are also explored through the memories of local people which highlight the Pléitear na téamaí seo fosta trí chuimhní cinn impact of World War II on individuals, families ó dhaoine áitiúla a léiríonn tionchar an Dara and communities. Many such stories are often Cogadh Domhanda ar dhaoine aonaracha, undocumented elsewhere. theaghlaigh agus phobail. Is minic nach ndéantar taifead ar scéalta den chinéal seo in áiteacha eile. I would like to thank all those who responded to the Museum’s appeal for memories, artefacts, Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil photographs and documents; their contribution le daoine a d’fhreagair na hachainí a rinne is invaluable for interpreting this period of local an Iarsmalann ar lorg chuimhní, iarsmaí, history for future generations. ghrianghraif agus doiciméid; is achmhainn fhíorluachmhar é an t-ábhar a thug siad chun Councillor Mark Murnin na glúnta atá le teacht a chur ar an eolas faoin Chairman of Newry, Mourne and Down tréimhse seo i stair an cheantair. District Council An Comhairleoir Marcas Ó Murnáin Cathaoirleach Chomhairle Cheantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin Life on the Home Front Situated on the western fringe of Europe, Ireland Fearing German invasion through the south, did not escape the ravages of World War II. By British troops were stationed almost immediately this time Ireland was partitioned into two separate around Newry, joined later by American forces in jurisdictions, Northern Ireland and Éire. Around their preparations for battle and in the last months 38,000 men and women in Northern Ireland of the war, troops from the Regular Belgian Army volunteered for the war effort. The Irish Free State, were also stationed locally. renamed Éire in the 1937 constitution, pursued a policy of official neutrality, though over 150,000 The war had many direct consequences on daily Éire citizens were employed in the war effort as life for local people. The German invasion of they sought work in British factories, while 40,000 much of mainland Europe and submarine activity joined the British forces. in the Atlantic and around the British coast resulted in shortages of foodstuff, clothing and On the day war was declared, the passenger liner petrol. There was also an impact on the economy SS Athenia, en route from Belfast to Quebec, was and restrictions on travel were introduced. This torpedoed in the North Atlantic. Many of the 1400 affected people on both sides of the passengers on board lost their lives, including Irish border. some from the Newry area. Members of the Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS) pictured outside Newry Town Hall. Branches of the WVS were organised locally. Newry and Mourne Museum Collection Tommy White a farmer from Ballynaskeagh, outside Newry, pictured in 1941 with Billy Bleakley, an evacuee. Newry and Mourne Museum Collection One of the most visible aspects of the war in they assisted with the distribution of evacuees Newry were the defensive features that were built and organised recycling campaigns. Many local including pillar boxes and metal and concrete men joined the Local Defence Volunteers, more blockades on the main roads leading in to Newry. commonly known as the Home Guard who were responsible for Home Front security. Air Raid Precaution measures were also implemented. These included the regulation of Air Raid Precaution measures also facilitated the lighting, known as the Blackout Order, to restrict evacuation of children from large urban areas. lighting at night to prevent aerial attacks. Black At least 1,446 children were expected in Newry in fabric was used to cover windows of buildings the first ‘wave’ of refugees on 8 September 1939. while car and bicycle lights were screened. Newry Few arrived, and it was not until the following July was one of the first towns in Northern Ireland to that more significant numbers began to arrive. have special blackout ‘starlight’ street lighting. The numbers of evacuees increased dramatically in the aftermath of the Belfast Blitz in April and Air Raid sirens and shelters were situated in May 1941 with many children and their families Newry, Bessbrook, Kilkeel and Warrenpoint. finding shelter in the Newry area. Some local people became Air Raid Precaution (ARP) Wardens who were to ensure that the In response to shortages, rationing had been blackout was maintained and to advise and direct introduced in Britain in November 1939, and in the population in the event of an aerial attack. January 1940 to Northern Ireland. The system Gas attacks were widely feared, and gas masks aimed to ensure that everyone got a fair share of were supplied from distribution points such as scarce resources. Following registration everyone Newry Town Hall, Kilkeel Courthouse and several was issued with a ration book. Set amounts of local primary schools. The Women’s Voluntary foods were allocated to each person on a weekly Service (WVS) was established as a support basis with coupons which were exchanged for unit for the ARP. In Newry and Warrenpoint goods in shops. Newry Home Guard, pictured at Sandys Street Presbyterian Church. Members in the photograph include Jackie Reid, Billy Heather, Eric Linton, Ernie Ferris, Jack Ferris and Benny Davis. Courtesy of William McAlpine The government encouraged everyone to make As most of the clothing factories had to use of any land they had to produce vegetables concentrate on making uniforms for the forces, and foodstuffs. Under the government’s there was a limit on the amount of clothing compulsory tillage policy, farmers were set quotas produced for sale in the shops. People had to of crops to grow and cultivate, particularly oats, ‘make do and mend’. Men were encouraged to barley and wheat which had previously been wear austerity suits which had fewer pockets and imported. They were given subsidies to help them no turn ups, while women’s skirts and dresses achieve this, especially if it required increased were also made shorter. mechanisation such as the use of tractors. Flax production increased dramatically during Materials were in short supply during the war World War II to make up for the shortage of other and there was extensive recycling of goods. fibres and was used for making ropes, fabric, Paper was recycled to make books and parachutes and for linseed oil. newspapers. Newry and Warrenpoint had a ‘Wings for Victory’ campaign, where people were encouraged to give their scrap metal to reach a certain target, to ‘Build a Spitfire Scheme’. As an agriculturally-based society, Northern Ireland was not as badly off for food as Britain. Cross border smuggling was also rife, as shops in the villages on the southern side of the Border were relatively well stocked, particularly in the early years of the war. Goods, which were in short supply on one side of the border, could be exchanged for items that were more plentiful on the other side. To supplement their rations local people would have gone to Omeath by car, bicycle, train or the Red Star Ferry Service and brought back cheese, bacon, jam, chocolate, cigarettes and lighters. Wartime queue outside ‘The Pork Shop’, Dundalk. Meat was one of Social functions were organized to boost morale the many items rationed on both sides of the border. or to raise funds for the war effort. While on leave, Courtesy of the County Museum, Dundalk British and American soldiers in the Newry area would often have crossed the border. The war brought positive economic benefits They would have worn civilian clothes and as large numbers of people were employed in socialised and gone to dances in places like the construction of defense structures and the Blackrock.