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NEW STUFF!
UDR Roll of Honour -
Comprehensive list of all UDR and Former UDR personnel Killed during Op Banner
Questions and Polls -
A chance for you to have a say in relation to the big decisions being taken on your behalf!
Our Tributes - The Fallen -
A chance for you to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflict and war around the world
This small website is a personal project to me. It deals with the demolition and re - development of the Former Military site known as Ebrington Barracks and also at one time - HMS Sea Eagle. I served in Ebrington Barracks between January 1987 and March 1989 with the 1st Battalion The Green Howards (Now 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment) and the Ebrington Barracks site holds a lot of memories for me - some good and some bad.
At the invitation of iLEX, I visited the Ebrington Barracks site on the 23rd April 2008 to see and hear about the plans being undertaken to re - develop the site now that the Army have left and the Barracks placed back in public ownership.. Sometimes, people who did not serve here do not understand the depth of feeling that former Soldiers attach to a place like Ebrington Barracks. This was our home for a time and some of those who lived with us died here. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of the Lisburn Bus Bombing carried out by the Provisional IRA on 15th June 1988. 6 Soldiers from Ebrington Barracks died that day after taking part in a charity fun run in aid of local civilian charities. One of those who died was a colleague and friend, Cpl Ian Metcalfe who was the Movements Clerk with 1 Green Howards.
I decided to build this small site for two reasons, one was because I wanted to document the re - development of the site from a secure Military fortress to a cultural and Community based resource, and secondly I wanted to see a permenant visible memorial to all those people like Ian Metcalfe and his colleagues who were killed because of their choice of Job. Is anyone else going to provide a visible memorial to these people?
I have placed a comment board/Guest Book on the site for anyone who cares to leave a message and also a page for ex forces members who may want to write about their experiences so that future generations can learn what it was really like. This site was not built to make political statements and as such, any political or sectarian comments posted on any comment board will be removed. Other online resources exist for that purpose.
This site is dedicated to the memory of the 81 Military and Civilian staff based in Ebrington Barracks and Fort George who died during Op Banner & also all the victims of the Northern Ireland Conflict.
This Site is Dedicated to
Cpl Ian Metcalfe (1 Green Howards) - and all those who paid & continue to pay the ultimate sacrifice.
Bomb disposal experts from 321 EOD Company's Londonderry Detachment seen coming out of Benbow block sometime in the late 1970's
The Guardroom 2008
'The long walk'
A specialist explosives officer (ATO) from the RAOC makes the long walk to diffuse another device during Op Banner. 24 members of 321 EOD Company RAOC lost their lives attempting to diffuse bombs during Operation Banner.
Cell Block 2008
Provost Sgt's Safe! 2008
This safe contained the master keys to the entire Barracks and also Provost staff personal weapons.
Battalion Guard sleeping area 2008
When the Base was open, the Battalion Guard slept here. Through the door in front was a sofa, chairs and a TV.
View from the Guardroom looking towards the NAAFI.
The Cookhouse and WO's & Sgts Mess have been demolished
The view from C Company accommodation down towards the parade square 2008
Looking up towards the top end of Ebrington Barracks
with C Company Accommodation block in the Foreground
All that remains of the WO's & Sgts Mess and Cookhouse
with NAAFI block awaiting demolition.
The remains of the Training Wing and Rubb Hall. Houses on limavady Road clearly visible
HQ Company Offices and CQMS Stores will be spared
from demolition
Raleigh block on the left with Benbow Block to the right
Both buildings will be converted into residential housing
HQ Coy Office and stores in the foreground
Raleigh and Benbow Accommodation Blocks to the rear
Benbow Block will also be converted to residential housing
ATO personnel and others lived in this block at times
Raleigh Block still retains fire hoses on the balconies!
The view from Benbow Block shows the demolition undertaken
20 years ago, Rubb Hall, and MT Garages would have been visible
Less than 4 weeks of work has seen the entire area levelled!
The location where the Club Once stood. It was 'Club 19' when I served here, but other names included 'The Viking club', Club Biff ' - what else was the club known as? let us know Notice the gate onto Limavady Road and the stag post still present!!!
Funny how 75% of the Base is being demolished yet the Speed limit sign remains!
Looking up the road towards the Officers Mess and Cunningham Block
Former Green Howard Dave Malcolm in Rodney Block where he was billeted
Rodney Block is now a shell with all partition doors and walls removed
When I visited the site, The NAAFI Complex and Castle Club was still standing, however the following week, it was completely demolished. Shame the signage could not have been kept.
The view back towards Rodney Block from the Officers Mess Car Park
The Squash Courts between the NAAFI and the Officers Mess are demolished
Once a Proud Building, The Officers mess is in a shambolic state now.
Dry Rot has meant that a lot of the internal plaster work in Ante Rooms like this have to be removed
This was taken in the Main Officers Dining Room and shows the condition of the building today
The Officers Mess Dining Room How many high ranking Officers were entertained here?
All that remains of the Officers Mess Bar!
We believe that Officers set up a softball Tennis court in this room at some stage, can anyone confirm its usage through the years?
The Officers mess Payphone was in a cupboard under the stairs. The sign reads "Please close this door when using the Phone"
Looking back at the Officers mess from the Wall of the original Star Fort.
