Experience war time life as War Years Remembered returns

FOR SIX weeks during March and April, 2010, The Braid, Mid Antrim Museum in Ballymena will play host to a unique display of memorabilia from WW1 and WW2, as local historian David McCallion takes visitors back through time with War Years Remembered.

From March 1 to April 10 the Braid building in the town will be transformed into a world war time capsule, with over forty mannequins displaying various uniforms from the two wars, complete with weapons and all the kit that a fighting soldier required.

For the first time since World War One a base drum and side drum from the 12th Service Battalion the Royal Irish Rifles (Central Antrim Volunteers) will be on display together, as well as specially constructed trench scenes, dug outs, air raid shelters and machine gun posts.

But it’s not all big boys’ toys - there will also be displays reflecting life on the home front in the war years.

A totally different day out for both adults and children, a visit to local mans war museum is a must!

“This is one of the largest collections of militaria in private hands today,” said organiser David McCallion, “and in fact some of the items are so rare that even the Imperial War Museum doesn’t have them.”

This summer sees the 65th anniversary of the End of World War 2, the 70th of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, a lot of the equipment used during the War will be on display at this unique event in Ballymena, which climaxes on Saturday April 10.

The War Years Remembered exhibition is open to the public from 10am-5pm Monday through to Friday and Saturday 10am to 4.30pm, Group bookings are available via the Braid Museum.

Admission is free, so don’t miss this fabulous opportunity to step back in time.