Some war time views of Castle Archdale.

Great photos and painting James. It really makes a difference seeing the base from so many different angles and being able to identify buildings etc... Thanks.

I found this newspaper article written around early 1946 by John Hockin, Squadron Intelligence Officer in Northern Ireland at the height of The Battle Of The Atlantic.











I also came upon this picture in the book "Coastal Command" Air Ministry Account 1939-1942.

It is deicribed as a flying boat station in Northern Ireland.
It is Castle Archdale.

Although not great quality it looks to have been taken from Flight Control overlooking the lough. Note the aerial/mast structure to the right.




Regards Skyhawk (Robert).

 

Skyhawk, I've seen something new today, thats a very different image you have attached from CA's flight control. All these new images that have been added to this thread after years of seeing several standard images for years is just unreal. The tree's and shoreland have not changed too much by the looks of things too. Here's an extract from a letter to the Impartial Reporter last year with reference to the trees at that time.

"Incredible changes took place during World War II when the entire Castle Archdale estate was requisitioned by the war office to build a flying boat base as close as possible to the North Atlantic. The trees on Crevenishaughey, Davy’s Island and Castle Hill (mainland) were considered too tall and posed a danger to aircraft taking off or landing. The contract for clearing hundreds of these ancient oak and ash trees went to Fisher’s of Newry, timber merchants. The timber was then ferried down Lough Erne to the Round ‘O’ in Enniskillen for its onward journey to Newry. The steamship used for this task was the “Wide Awake” owned by the local firm Lemon’s of Quay Lane, who operated several boats on the Lough at that time. The “Wide Awake” sank in the 1950s and lies in the Back Lough at Cornagrade, its funnel still visible near the shore".

 

Robert that is a great photo , a little blurred but none the less a fecking great photo .( Sorry, tempted to say " almost as good as sex , but it certainly beats chocolate !!).

As Aaran ( Savo) points out that tree line has not changed in the least - the story of the clearing of the trees is very interesting - yes I think |I have seen that wreck in the "back Lough" but never knew what it was , thank you .
You know I do think there is a good book in this I really do, Robert you have a great nose for good info.

 

Two very conflicting photos here of the Manor House that incorporated flight control. The first i have posted before and was taken in 1957 showing the RAF closing ceremony for Castle Archdale. The second dates 1968, i believe just 2 years before it was demolished. Its sad to see it in such a state. As nothing else has been built on the site one wonders why it was not preserved and protected.






Skyhawk.

 

Excellent photographs.

Like you say, pity the building was not kept in good condition.

Regards
Tom

 

Robert that is a rather sad photo to see the house roofless and ready to be pulled down.
I may be wrong but I think it may be slightly later than 1970 , I recall as late as 73 seeing the roof on the house from the Lough - it just so dominated the skyline , the house and the large water tanks could still be seen.
I am going from emmory here and I may well be wrong but my word that is such a sad photograph ....where did you come by it ?
The remains of the flag pole and bracing points still there and I am sure they sit under the lawn there today.
A really interesting photograph which I am very grateful for you posting up.

 

Hi James, I stumbled on the photo last year. It was on a old country house heritage website. I agree it so sad to see the building state in the final years prior to demolition. Seeing it in colour though really adds something special despite it's unfortunate state.

 

Crikey. The picture of the derelict house is how I can only remember it by !!! It was a crows nesting house paradise for years. I recall when in ruins, the bottom right hand side ground floor was tourched !!! What a tourist attraction that would be classed as today. Everyone has their reason's why the house was pulled down. My view is that it was a rates dodge before the Forest Service moved in. Shortly after the big house was pulled down the courtyard and out buildings had a complete overhaul !!!! I believe the Archdales took the roof off so that rates would not need to be paid exposing the inside of the house to the elements and it rains quite alot up there !!!! . I remember the water towers and the house was a no go area by my dad. Only my older brother was allowed to go up to it from the caravan site and he would climb the towers !!. Another wee fact - When the house was pulled down all the rubble was transferred to what is the marina car park. Before the marina was built this was alovely secluded bay up till the 70's as we would use it to moor up a moor dinghy. Unless you are called Boss Hogg !! or sharp eyed, there are concrete pier mounts up behind the picnic area at the marina car park (located behind the ww2 pump house) that I was told are WW2 ?. Gives you an interesting insight on how much of the bay was actually land filled in at the time. Sad but thats progress too for the area.

 

Interesting angle this one !!! Is that the bay now the marina car park etc are has the site been flooded in this picture. Looks like the Shetlands Dock too but is not.

 

Savo,

A nice picture postcard of the House.

Such a pity it is gone. It would have made a terrific hotel with lake view.

Regards
Tom

 

Aaran , two brilliant photos I really am very grateful fro your sharing them with us.
I am sorry I never got to see the house close up before it was demolished , looking back to my mid teen years the house simply dominated the skyline.

The old postcard is pretty cool I must say , I must try and get a run down there next decent day that I am off work.

 

Some paper work and travel documentation which Art Mountford allowed me to photocopy when 423 veterans visited Castle Archdale in 1993.
Art was one of the survivors from Bishops crew which sank 489 SE of Iceland in August 43.

The stables of the riding club are in the small village of Lisnarick which is about a mile from castle Archdale heading for Kesh , in the middle of the village turn right of the main Enniskillen / Kesh road and head towards Irvinestown the stables are still to be seem about 600 yards down the road on the left hand side just after you clear the housing.
Next time down I will add a photo.

 

These are great shots. One of my aims this Summer is to do a trip up to this area for a wander around.

 

If you make it up Gerard be sure to let me know. js.

 

If you make it up Gerard be sure to let me know. js.
You can be sure you'll know in advance, James. Wouldnt miss out on a potential meetup with you and dog!

 

Aye no show without punch !!

 

A crew from 202 which crashed on the high ground above Lough Erne.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/all-anniversaries/22664-memoriam-those-air-force-pilots-crews-who-died-day-ww2-17.html#post379847

Geoff has provided crew details here.



The scene of the crash some way back from the cliff face , one survivor walked down the 900 ft face in the dark making his way down to the road to try and get help.

 

I may have taken this picture from this site, I canna remember but when tidying up my files i "re-discovered" it, so here it is on this thread. One of the cleanest sharpest war time images that I have ever seen regarding CA. From this image it is easy to find your bearings on the ground today from it !!

 

With so many aircraft on the hard standing area I wonder if this may have been taken in or abouts January 45 when a sharp drop in temperature meant ice and potential hull damage with as many aircraft as could be got ashore being brough up on the slipways at CA and Killadeas.
The number of small buildings and huts around the hangers and HQ block.....planning permission if you need it build it.

A very good photo Savao.