johnadams.org.uk

I was 8 when the first soldiers arrived in Northern Ireland.

My Dad, a ‘B’ Special, had been away from home a lot just before, policing riots in Derry.

I remember the first road block they set up outside our house. I was fascinated and wanted to welcome them with a cup of tea like I’d seen on TV. I thought that was the thing to do.

I remember the road noise of Land Rovers driving down country roads. They could be heard approaching from about a mile away.

I remember going with my Dad after he joined the UDR in the early 1970s to help fill sandbags at an electricity substation near Tandragee.

I remember my Mum and Dad inviting two soldiers for Christmas dinner - I was around 11 or 12, and they brought me a leather football.

I remember waiting in my Dad’s car as he worked in army barracks - Gough, Glenanne, Drumadd.

I remember meeting older soldiers in the UDR - our postman had fought at El Alamein - a natural choice for Company Sergeant Major. WW2 was as close as we are to the Falklands conflict.

I remember checking underneath my Dad’s car for bombs each morning.

I remember his personal protection weapon in his bedside drawer.

I remember him attending countless funerals.

I remember waiting for him to come home from duty each night.

And I remember people who didn’t.

I am glad Operation Banner is over.

Update 22/02/2007: The article was actually written by my aunt Fay!

I was just googling the BBC website this evening when I came across this article on Markethill RUC Station during WW2. The article mentions the following events that my Mum has always mentioned:

• American GIs at Gosford.
• German PoWs at Gosford - and also at Markethill RUC station.
• Sounding the air raid siren at Markethill.

My grandfather William Thompson was the station sergeant during the War and my Mum remembers him sounding the air raid siren, and also visiting the PoWs and GIs at Gosford. She remembers that the GIs brought bananas, oranges and chocolate for the first time in many years.

My Mum has a good picture of Markethill RUC station before the Troubles made external alterations essential! I must get a scan of this…

Other links of interest:

• PoWs in Gosford - I think the foundations of the PoW huts are still there, except the model chapel built by Italian PoWs seems to have disappeared from the main car park.
• American GIs in Gosford
• History of Gosford Castle.
• History of Gosford