http://www.waryearsremembered.co.uk/

War Years Remembered, 22D Crawfordsburn Road, Newtownards (2026)

06/06/2026

Over all D Day was a success but at a heavy cost.

Over 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded or were missing in action during the Battle of Normandy.
This figure includes over 209,000 Allied casualties, with nearly 37,000 dead amongst the ground forces and a further 16,714 deaths amongst the Allied air forces.
Of the Allied casualties, 83,045 were from 21st Army Group (British, Canadian and Polish ground forces), 125,847 from the US ground forces. The losses of the German forces during the Battle of Normandy can only be estimated. Roughly 200,000 German troops were killed.

Within the museum collections we are very proud and honoured to have some very unique pieces that were actually at D Day 80 years ago.

The maroon beret with green flash from the 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles is dated 1944, the Battalion landed near Ranville at LZ N at 2100hrs on the 6th June 1944. The officers uniform also landed on D Day at Queen Sector, Red, Sword Beach worn by a Captain serving with the 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles around 12noon who landed from an LCI.

Over the years various items have been collected to tell the story of all those who fought on D Day, included in the pictures is a drop canister and parachute used to replenish our fighting troops from the air.

We must not forget their sacrifices not now, not ever,
Together We Will Remember Them…

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/waryearsrememberedmuseum

06/06/2026

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam…

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/waryearsrememberedmuseum

06/06/2026

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/waryearsrememberedmuseum

06/06/2026

They fought on D Day continued…

6th June 1944. Operation Overlord

82 years ago today these two cousins were in the thick of it.
A unique operation in many ways, the Royal Ulster Rifles had both their regular battalions involved in the same operation.
1st Battalion landing by air in gliders in the early evening, as part of the 6th Air Landing Brigade at LZ N near Ranville which was known as Operation Mallard, while its 2nd Battalion landed from the sea in late afternoon known as Operation Neptune by landing craft with push bikes on Queen Sector of Sword Beach.
Pictured below is two cousins both with the same name William (Chalkie) White 1st Bn and William (Bimsey) White 2nd Bn RUR and they were both Battalion boxers as well as both were injured during that day.
Grandad took shrapnel in his leg and Bimsey took a piece of shrapnel to the head on the beach. They both survived that day as many would not, but would never be the same again.

Over the years we have met at anniversary events many of the vets in some of the pictures attached, who fought on D Day and very honoured to be able to tell their story from their memories and artefacts within the collection…

Together We Will Remember Them…

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/waryearsrememberedmuseum

06/06/2026

“We Fought On D Day”

Over the years I have met so many veterans some left a bigger impact than others.

Lest We Forget all those involved in Operation Overlord the worlds freedom is owed to their bravery and sacrifice.

We Fought On D Day a programme done by the BBC.

I had the privilege of meeting most of these men in the programme Robert Loughlin especially poignant today from Ballyclare, he was the president of our RBL in the town, he told me about my Granda things I never knew. His stories, were very colourful to say the least, hard hitting factual and his feelings. I had the privilege to drive him in the jeep to collect his Normandy medal, this was a day I will never forget thank you Robert RIP Sir.

On another occasion of having the privilege of chauffeuring Rab Loughlin was along with other veterans from the town to a garden party at Sentry Hill in Genevieve our D Day vehicle.
Other veterans who joined us that day were David Montgomery and Harry Murphy, they also left a big impression when attending events in the town.
Rab would all of a sudden tell you another piece of his personal story which you never heard before.
He was best friends with W***y John McConnell who was Killed In Action at Happy Valley in Korea in 1951 with the RUR.

They also both survived D Day pictured below is them both as boy soldiers Robert Loughlin left, William John McConnell centre and William Trimble Killed In Action in the Far East with the Inniskillings.

I remember the day of the filming with Rab, when myself and Eddie Beck waited for the BBC TV crew to arrive, he wasn’t a man who minced his words, his story was real and to the point and unforgettable.

Another RUR veteran Billy McConnell ex RSM who I had met on many of occasions, listening to his stories was a real privilege the man paid countless visits to France to remember his fallen comrades. He was an inspiration to myself over the years for his dedication to remember them, thank you Billy for giving me the inspiration to do what I do here at WYR.

Again another RUR veteran Marty Vance, I had met at an event I did in the Shankill some years back. I met his son that day too I was upset to find out that Marty didn't have a plaque of his ole regiment so I lifted one out of the display and gave it to him, the smile on that ole vets face was priceless. His son contacted me a while later to give me the sad news of his passing. I attended the funeral in East Belfast and paid my respects.

John Cooke was another one, who especially left me feeling humbled, proud and honoured to have been involved at event in Portadown Library some years back.
Especially when he said thank you for honouring us and remembering my comrades that never made it home, back in them days our veterans got very little thanks shown to them. Not many events or exhibitions were held to commemorate and thank them for their service.

I also had met a wonderful gentleman Andrew Charles while doing an event in Desertmartin, he came into the exhibition jumped behind the Bren gun and started doing the gas stoppages, he was sprightly for his age.
At the event closing remembrance service he reappeared wearing his medals, no mistaking his Military Medal awarded for his actions on D Day a very modest hero. Sadly he had lost his brother Allen who was killed in action serving with the 1st Battalion RUR.

We have met countless other veterans over the years to many to list in this post, both here, at events and in their homes, their memories live on through the collection as they are in the very fabric of what is War Years Remembered…

They were all true gentlemen, heroes in their own right and so willing to share their story with the school children that attended these events.
That is their legacy as most of them have grown up and is probably why there is now a bigger interest in the War Years from those early pioneering exhibitions held.
History shared is history preserved.

I quote another veteran who fought on D Day on Sword Beach and was one of the very first soldiers to hit the beach, his oral history played at the museum daily, Tommy Fulton Royal Marine Commando.

“Remembrance is not just the 111111
I REMEMBER EVERY DAY”

Ladies and Gents soon we will have none of these vets left at all, do what you can, to make the time to thank them, they gave their today for our tomorrow, the least we can do is Remember Them.

Is this not worth saving the Museum for, so that their memories live on.

Our Emergency Appeal is below, thank you all for the support shown over the years.

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/waryearsrememberedmuseum

Together We Will Remember Them…

We Fought On D Day link below
http://www.bbd.co.uk/programmes/p02086pd

04/06/2026

“Operation Dynamo Concludes”…

On this day the 4th June 1940, we remember all those involved in one of the most important operations of the Second World War, “Operation Dynamo”…

The 4th June 1940 was the very last day soldiers were lifted from the beach and marked the end of the evacuation of Dunkirk known as “ Operation Dynamo” the Battle for France ended three weeks later, it had began on the 10th May and concluded at midnight on the 25th June 1940…

84 years ago today Sir Winston Churchill delivered his most famous soul stirring speech. His aim was to counter the jubilant public reaction provoked by the evacuation of Dunkirk and bring everyone back to the harsh reality of what lay ahead…

See video link below…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IHadByMvXk&feature=youtu.be

"Wars are not won by evacuations."

“We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”

Operation Dynamo had began at 7pm on the 26th May and finished on the 4th June 1940, 338,226 troops were evacuated of which 198,000 were British and the remainder foreign troops.
The operation was ran from within the Casement tunnels at Dover castle by Vice Admiral Ramsay and his team and it’s success was down to the flotilla of Navy vessels from both the Royal & Merchant Navy.
It even included many private boats that sailed from Ramsgate.
The losses were high with over 243 ships and boats lost and for every seven soldiers who escaped through Dunkirk, one man was left behind.
Over 50,000 never made it out, they were either killed, wounded or taken prisoner of war.
Many of those involved came from both the North and South of Ireland during the Second World War including some of my own relatives.
The loss of my grandfather’s brother during the Dunkirk Evacuation at the “Le Paradis” massacre deeply affected my Grandfather till his death…

War Years Remembered had marked and commemorated this key event in history every year by burning a candle everyday from the start of the operation till it’s end to remember all those involved, but sadly not this year….

The rescue operation turned a military disaster into a story of heroism and created the legend of the story of the “ Little Ships of Dunkirk” which served to raise the morale of the British people hence the phrase the "Dunkirk Spirit" is still used to describe courage and solidarity in the face of adversity…

We have many items within the War Years Remembered museum, directly linked to those involved in “ Operation Dynamo” including the Royal Navy ensign shown in one of the pictures it came from one of the ships sank during the operation as well as personal artefacts and personal stories from those involved including that of one of the soldiers massacred by the N***s at the “Le Paradis” during the retreat.

This also seen the start of a new phase of the Second World War, leading up to the start of the Battle of Britain just over a month later…

Together We Will Remember Them…

30/05/2026

A cracking day in the company of Bruce Crompton of Amazing War Stories after spending the evening at a Black Tie dinner at the Ulster Reform Club in Belfast.
In the company of Peter Forbes and Kyle Brisco the evening was spent in the company of over 100 people for what was a huge success and hopefully will become an annual event.
Both and honour and a privilege to be invited and sitting beside some great friends we have met over the years at the top table.

We couldn't host Bruce and Al without kicking the day off with breakfast at ( no Tiffany's was closed lol) Colonel Paddy's again our sincere thanks to Jake, Carson and Max for looking after our guests as always.
Then onto the All Points Blair Mayne Tour, Blair Mayne statue, Mrs Brown's school, Excel (town house) Pound St (Off licence), Old Mill Court / John St (crash site), Scrabo Rd, (Mount Pleasant, country house ), Lodge Lane, (Masonic Hall) Regent St, (Old Regent Grammar School), Ray Graham's Abbey Rd (were Blair enlisted), Movilla Abbey Cemetery, Billy Hulls and Blair's grave.
Then back to War Years to discuss the whole collection, as well as all things Blair, the collections importance and how things differ here than in the UK mainland.
What's best for the collection and moving forwards as partners.
Bruce has some amazing ideas and has great connections.
Over the years Bruce Crompton as became one of the most respected people in championing museums and veterans causes, through Combat Dealers and Amazing War Stories and his latest podcasts with Jason Fox, after a long day at War Years Remembered, We presented Bruce with a bottle of the latest whisky as a token of our appreciation "The Irish Lion" paying homage to Blair Mayne and the generosity of the guys at Black Alpha Irish Whiskey.
A massive thank you to all those behind the scenes and not mentioned for your continuing support and believing in getting our wartime veterans artefacts and memories back into the public domain...

Watch the space...

Always A Little Further...

29/05/2026

They are out there…

27/05/2026

The real Dunkirk story continued…

Today as we remember all those involved in Operation Dynamo I will be Remembering a family member my Grandads brother.

5772633 L/Cpl Samuel Whyte

He was Killed In Action at Dunkirk on the 27th May 1940.

While serving with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Norfolk Regiment
as part of the rear guard during Operation Dynamo commonly known as the evacuation of the B.E.F. from beaches of Dunkirk.

He has no known grave.

This is my Great Uncle who paid the ultimate sacrifice by laying down his life
for both King and Country, kinfolk and his comrades as many Ulster and Irish men did.

It is believed that Samuel was killed along with 96 other members of his Battalion after they had been captured by No3 Coy of the 1st Battalion 2nd SS Totenkopf Regiment commanded by Captain Fritz Knoechlein, he gave the order for the LE PARADIS Massacre.

In 1948 Lieutenant Colonel Fritz Knoechlein was found guilty
of this war crime and was hanged in Hamburg on 28th January 1949.

Samuel was awarded the 1939/45 Star and the British War Medal now held within the War Years Remembered collection

"Lest We Forget"

Casualty Details

Young Belfast Signaller

Information has been received by his parents at 8 Upper Mervue Street, Belfast

that L-Corpl. Samuel Whyte, serving as a signaller with the Royal Norfolk Regiment,

has been reported as missing.

L-Corpl. Whyte is 20 years of age. He joined the Army as a boy of 17,

carrying on the tradition of his father,

who served throughout the last war and was wounded in 1917.

An elder brother, William is at present serving with the Royal Ulster Rifles in India,

and five cousins, one of whom was yesterday reported missing

are also serving with the B.E.F.

The above extract was printed in the Belfast Telegraph on 26th June 1940.

In Memory of
5772633 Lance Corporal Samuel Whyte

2nd Battalion
The Royal Norfolk Regiment
Killed in Action
on the 27th May 1940
Aged 21

Remembered with honour
on Column 43
DUNKIRK MEMORIAL

26/05/2026

THE REAL DUNKIRK STORY…

Just one of the many reasons why War Years Remembered is here to remember our veterans and tell their story…

Fusilier Hugh White Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

cousin to Grandad Billy White

Captured on the retreat to Dunkirk fighting in the rear guard.

The Germans broke through the lines at the Scheldt River on 23rd May 1940 they had attempted to cross the river near Esquelmes during the morning of the 21st May, but were replused by the 2nd Skins after heavy fighting. They eventually crossed on the 23rd May, when the British Expeditionary Force withdrew to the Gort Line. It is around this area, heavy fighting broke out and we’re many of the fusiliers were killed or captured.

An estimated 50,000 British soldiers did not make it back from France we paid a very high price for under estimating N**i Germany.

It was reported today that

Mrs.Hanna White, 34 Spencer Street, Belfast, has received official notification
that her son, Fusilier Hugh White, of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, is missing.
Fusilier White has been with the Inniskilling's for almost two years. He was formerly employed by the Belfast Corporation.

The above extract was printed in a local paper on June 24, 1940.

6979985 Fusilier Hugh White (POW number 17186)

served with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
he is also one of the cousins mentioned in the press release
reported as missing the day before Samuel was K.I.A.
he was taken Prisoner of War on the 15th May 1940 on the retreat to Dunkirk and spent his first period of captivity in Stalag XXA
All together he spent 5 years and 20 days as a prisoner of war.
He saw the remainder of his time out in Stalag Camp number 344
and was eventually released on the 3rd June 1945.
He was awarded the 1939/45 Star and British War Medal

As I read the personal accounts of the veterans who had been taken along the 6 month death march from Dunkirk
my stomach churns at what those guys had to suffer.
One report in a diary of a soldier was that he had witnessed another POW broke the ranks to bend down to pick up a German soldiers discarded cigarette which he was beaten to death by the German soldier with the butt of his rifle.

We must never glorify war, but we must do everything we can to educate all those on the horrors of war which will hopefully prevent such atrocities happening again.

With time we can forgive, but we must never forget the sacrifices made for our country through all the conflicts,
by both Men Women and Children both in our forces and on the home front.

This is at the very heart of what War Years Remembered is, remembering our veterans, preserving their artefacts and their stories educating all and inspiring our youth to be the future guardians of our heritage.

We must never forget.
We must do everything possible to preserve their memory their story and educate all those who will listen.
So that all our families no matter what part of the world country colour creed or religion aren’t forgotten.

By doing so we will ensure that their story is preserved for this generation and all our future generations and that they will never be forgotten.

Lest We Forget…

Help us to reopen the museum and to continue to tell all our veterans stories again by donating now by following the link below to the Charities JustGiving appeal…

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/waryearsrememberedmuseum

Together We Will Remember Them…

War Years Remembered

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