St Patrick’s Day in WWII

Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, “the Day of the Festival of Patrick”), is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland.

While the Republic of Ireland was neutral during World War II, Northern Ireland became an important Allied sea and airbase. Besides that, there were a great number of allied soldiers who identified themselves as being Irish through their Irish ancestry. Also, there were many Irish who fought during the war, the Irish guards for example were pivotal to many WWII operations.

Below are some pictures of St Patrick’s day celebrations during WWII.

While a piper plays, a special rum ration was issued to men of the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers to mark St Patrick’s Day in the Anzio Bridgehead, Italy, on 17 March 1944.

American soldiers and Irish girls have a friendly chat during a St. Patricks Day Dance and Celebration, 17 March 1942.

St Patrick’s Day 1944—General Bernard presented the shamrock to Major de Longueuil (later awarded the MC). On the Major’s right is Lieutenant Campbell.

Happy St Patrick’s day wishes for the troops from Maureen O’Hara.

Major Basil Donlea MC and Montgomery—Hawick. St Patrick’s Day 17 March 1944.

Jess Barker, Genny Simms, Red Skelton, Edna Skelton, and Buster Keaton during the cake-cutting ceremony on St. Patrick’s Day at the Hollywood Canteen.

Fifth Avenue was jammed with marchers out in full force for the parade on 17 March 1943. This photo shows 49th Street just before passing the reviewing stand at St Patrick’s Cathedral.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Cleveland 1940.

Nelson’s Pillar, O’Connell Street. Dublin Crowds watching St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 1940.

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