HC Deb 12 March 1940 vol 358 cc977-9
13. Dr. Little

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now make a full statement of the circumstances under which the raid on Ballykinlar military camp County Down, was carried out; the number of rifles and guns taken by the raiders; and whether he will give an assurance that the camp will be so guarded in future as to prevent a repetition of such an outrage?

Mr. Stanley

As the answer is necessarily rather long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Dr. Little

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a firm belief among the people of County Down that this raid was made possible through slackness and neglect in not having this very important military camp properly guarded against intruders?

Mr. Stanley

Perhaps my hon. Friend will find it convenient first to read the rather long answer, which is a complete report on the incident, and then to ask a further Question if he wishes.

Mr. Logan

Is not this sort of thing customary in Northern Ireland?

Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

Have there not been many similar cases in Southern Ireland?

Following is the answer:

Consideration of the reports on this occurrence is not yet concluded, but I will give such information as I can. It appears that at about 8.20 p.m. on the evening of 10th February the raiders succeeded in driving into Ballykinlar camp in a large car—possibly there were two cars—without being challenged, and drew up near the store, which was raided, the sergeants' mess being on the opposite side of the road. No particular notice was taken of the car or cars, as entertainments frequently take place on Saturday nights in the sergeants' mess, though in point of fact no entertainment was being held on that evening. Between 8.30 and 9 p.m. a young soldier who had taken over the duties of storeman on the previous day answered a knock on the door of the storeroom. When he opened it, a man dressed in canvas overalls and wearing a field service cap and other men armed with revolvers pushed their way into the storeroom and overpowered the storeman. The raiders, stated to number seven, took the keys of the arms chest from the keyboard hanging in the storeroom and unlocked the chest, loaded a number of rifles into the large car and drove off taking the storeman with them. The storeman stated that he was later transferred with a number of rifles to a smaller car. He was set free in Belfast at about 6 a.m. on the following morning, whereupon he made his way to a police station and reported the matter. The police then telephoned to the military authorities at the camp. Forty-three rifles (less two bolts and two magazines) and two bayonets with scabbards were found to be missing.

The camp covers a large area. It is not enclosed and is therefore easy to enter during the hours of darkness. It was impossible to block every entrance to the camp and moveable road blocks without a guard at each point were considered to be of little value. The security measures in force on the night in question employed two officers, two non-commissioned officers, and 15 men, exclusive of the picket and the mobile column. Adequately to guard the camp would, it is stated, have involved the employment for that purpose of a far larger number of men than could be spared, regard being bad to the calls of training, and, even with the number actually used, soldiers were called upon to do sentry duty on one night in every four. Reconstruction of the camp was in progress at the time, necessitating the employment of some 430 civilians. Although no one is allowed to enter the camp without a special pass, issued only after reference to the civil police, the employment of such a large number of men naturally constituted a danger.

The General Officer Commanding the District reports that all possible steps have been taken to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.