World War Two
The Real Dad's Army
During the second world war, John Eccles (front row, second from right) served as the company quartermaster sergeant (CQMS) for Moyallon No. 11 B Company, 4th Down Battalion of the Ulster Home Guard. Their commanding officer was Lieutenant Colonel M.W. Edmunds.
A quartermaster sergeant is traditionally a non-commissioned officer or warrant officer who is responsible for supplies or stores.
As an experienced soldier from the Great War, both in leadership and as a rifleman and grenadier, John may well have also been involved in weapons and explosives training and tactics.
More info on Northern Ireland's Local Defence Volunteers / Home Guard:
https://www.wartimegilford.com/home-front/home-guard/
Sons at War
During the Second World War, John's two oldest sons served in the Royal Air Force; Baillie in Singapore, Malaysia, Dutch East Indies and India, and Jack in Malta, North Africa and Germany.
Jack Eccles
On the outbreak of war with Germany, Jack joined the Royal Air Force. He was a flight mechanic.
He was is Malta during the Seige, which lasted from June '40 until November '42.
RAF on Malta
He also saw service at the 2nd Battle of El Alamein, Egypt where the British 8th Army 'Desert Rats' defeated Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps. It was a major turning point in the war that eventually led to an Allied victory.
The RAF was intensely engaged in the battle, destroying German aircraft, attacking Nazi and Italian armour and troops, and blunting a last-gasp counter-attack from Rommel's forces.
With typical rhetorical flourish, Churchill stated: It may almost be said, "Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat".
RAF in North Africa
Jack received several medals for his military service including the African Star with North Africa 42-43 Clasp and the War Medal.
Immediately after the war he returned to Germany to help rebuild the decimated nation. In 1948 he joined the Ministry of Agriculture in Northern Ireland and was later awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) for his services in NI with the department.
This article appeared in the Portadown Times when Jack was awarded the BEM.
More photos of Jack and family
Baillie Eccles
When war broke out with Hitler on 1 September, 1939, Bailie was already a member of the Royal Air Force.
Baillie's daughter, Adela, gives the following account of her father's experiences during the war.
"My father Baillie Eccles was born in Ballyhalbert, Co Down in 1920. He grew up in Moyallon, Gilford and went to Moyallon Primary School and Portadown College. After the war he met my mum Beulah Culbert from Gilford. They married and had three children, Carol, Melvyn, and myself Adela.
In 1938 he joined the RAF, and was posted, amongst other places to Singapore, Java, Sumatra and the Punjab in India.
He was captured by the Japanese in Penang (Malaysia) and eventually escaped with five hundred other prisoners. He escaped on a Chinese boat named the “Mendosa”. They sailed for about 500 miles, and during this time the boat and surrounding waters were bombed by Japanese planes. All on board had to move to one side of the boat to stay afloat. Eventually they made it into allied waters and all were rescued. By this time my dad’s weight had dropped to six stone, and he was sent to a rest camp in India. The story of this escape at the time was in the London papers.
He received the 1939–45 Star, The Defence Medal. The Pacific Star and The Victory Medal, and was also Mentioned in Despatches – Java (Indonesia). He was demobbed from the RAF in 1945."
Check out the war-time photos of Baillie below:
https://www.wartimegilford.com/photo-gallery/nggallery/photos/baille-eccles-royal-air-force
Bailie in India
Christmas card from Bailie to his youngest sister, his 'dearest little Ann' ...
India
16/9/42
My dearest little Ann,
I received your most welcome letter today the 16/9/42. It is the first letter from home for 12 months.
I cannot understand why you have not had any mail from me, as I sent quite a few letters and airgraphs. I suppose it is very hard to get mail through to the UK as there are so few boats sailing, and you can never tell what happens.
Well Ann, I hope you are quite well, give my love to mum, dad and Stanley, and I hope all are well at home.
Remember me to all around.
From your loving Brother,
Bailie xxxxxxx
Photos of Bailie and family
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