Dates: 1941 -

RAF Ballykelly opened in June 1941 as a base for RAF Coastal Command. In 1943 the main runway was extended and acquired an unusual characteristic in that it crosses an active railway line. Rules were put in place giving trains the right of way over landing aircraft. The base was used to carry out anti-submarine patrols and escort convoys over the Atlantic Ocean. At various times B-24 Liberator aircraft flew from Ballykelly in the fight against the U-boats, ranging from the Bay of Biscay to northern Norway. By the end of the war, Ballykelly-based squadrons had been responsible for sinking twelve U-boats, sharing with other aircraft and surface ships in the destruction of several others, and damaging many more.

During World War II an RAF bomber on a training run clipped a telephone line behind a church in Ballykelly and crashed, claiming the lives of the crew.

Memories of RAF Ballykelly

RAF Ballykelly, in 1957
Written by Philip Kavanagh
Contact this person >>

"A long way from Sussex in those days. Very lucky to get a flight to England, as I wasn’t on a Squadron. Took nearly 24 hours to get home to Bexhill. Always seemed to be raining. I worked in the Parachute section, which was a nice cushy job. Guard duty was always a pain every 3 weeks, but the RAF Regiment chaps were a splendid bunch, and always very smartly dressed. They hated Mr. Coley, the station W.O. who was always looking for trouble. I visited Ballykelly in 2003, and will be back again for the last time at the end of August 2010 on my motorcycle.2 years National Service was long enough for me. "

Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving RAF Ballykelly

"Hi- Ernie Henshaw-RAF Ballykelly NI -54-57 safety equipment sec -any one out there-Ray Hewitson John fisher Ron Musson Clive Burgess and more contact me on ernmar@waterfront.net.au now in aussie."

Click For More

---

"raf coningsby 1957 to1959 raf gibraltar 1959 1960 reu henlow 1960 1961 raf melksham1962 raf ballykelly 1961 1963 raf kormaksar 1963 1965 1102mcu1965 1967 raf detatchment hickam afb honalulu1967 1968 raf tangmere 1968 1969 raf bruggen1970 1973 raf kinloss 1973 1976"

Click For More

---

"RAF St Athan 1959-61 RAF Station Wksps Ballykelly 1961-63 RAF Weeton 63-6RAF Ballykelly 64-67 RAF Muharraq 67-68 RAF Ballykelly 68-69 211 Amb Sqdn REME (TAVR) 1970-71"

Click For More

---

"Calling all Telephonists who served at RAF Compton Bassett 1962 (Training), RAF Cosford1962/3, RAF Ballykelly 1963/4 RAF St, Mawgan 1964, RAF Seletar 1964/6, RAF Labuan 1964/5, RAF Tai Mo Shan 1966, 65 Sqn PBX RAF Seletar 1966/7 RAF Odiham 1967/8 "

Click For More

---

"RAF POLICE RAF Ballykelly 1961-1963"

Click For More

View your bookmarks