Carrickfergus • 19 June 1942

Honoring the birthplace of the 1st U.S. Army Ranger Battalion.

Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, holds a central place in the Ranger story: on 19 June 1942, the 1st Ranger Battalion was activated at Sunnylands Camp before selected volunteers trained with British Commandos at Achnacarry, Scotland.

Friends of the U.S. Ranger Memorial at Carrickfergus shares documented Ranger history and public memorial information for visitors, supporters, and families.

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Close-up of the U.S. Ranger Battalions memorial plaque at Sunnylands Camp, Carrickfergus. — Carrickfergus memorial plaque commemorating the founding of the U.S. Ranger Battalions at Sunnylands Camp on 19 June 1942.

History

From Sunnylands Camp to Commando training.

In 1942, Major General Lucian K. Truscott proposed an American unit modeled on the British Commandos, and the War Department authorized activation of the 1st U.S. Army Ranger Battalion. Captain William Orlando Darby was selected to command the new unit and was promoted to major within weeks.

Ranger and local-history sources identify Sunnylands Camp in Carrickfergus as the place where the battalion was officially activated on 19 June 1942. Those sources describe more than 1,500 volunteers, about 600 selected men, and subsequent training at Achnacarry, Scotland, under British Commando instructors.

19 June 1942: official activation of the 1st Ranger Battalion at Sunnylands Camp, Carrickfergus.
William O. Darby: selected to command and organize the original Ranger battalion.
Achnacarry: selected Rangers trained in Scotland with British Commando instructors.

The Memorial

A remembered link between Carrickfergus and the Rangers.

WartimeNI states that Carrickfergus Borough Council erected a memorial stone at the old Sunnylands Camp in 1992. American War Memorials Overseas records the US Rangers Centre on the grounds of the Andrew Jackson Cottage in Carrickfergus, describing it as a small museum dedicated to the first U.S. Army Ranger battalions activated in Carrickfergus in 1942.

The Centre is described as preserving documents, uniforms, photographs, and other material connected to the early Ranger battalions. This page focuses on public remembrance, restoration awareness, and the documented Ranger history connected to Carrickfergus.

Memorial and history imagery

The memorial images below were provided for this project and show the Carrickfergus U.S. Ranger Memorial itself, including restoration work underway at the site. Historical imagery remains available as supplemental context where useful.

U.S. Ranger memorial stone with plaque and wreath in Carrickfergus, surrounded by grass and trees. — U.S. Ranger Memorial stone at Carrickfergus, with plaque and wreath visible.

Workers installing paving stones around the U.S. Ranger memorial in Carrickfergus during restoration work. — Restoration work underway around the Carrickfergus U.S. Ranger Memorial.

Portrait photograph of William O. Darby in military uniform. — William O. Darby, organizer and commander associated with the original Ranger battalion. Credit: Commons metadata cites U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

Support Restoration

Support the public restoration campaign.

A public Donorbox campaign titled "Restoring the U.S. Ranger Memorial in Northern Ireland" is active under Friends of the U.S. Ranger Memorial at Carrickfergus. Use the campaign link below for the current donation total and restoration updates.

Friends of the U.S. Ranger Memorial at Carrickfergus is currently organized as a Virginia non-stock corporation and is seeking recognition as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Until that nonprofit status is approved, donations should not be assumed to be tax deductible. Donors should consult their own tax advisor regarding the deductibility of any contribution.

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Social / Contact

Follow public project updates.

For current restoration updates, follow the public project pages and donation campaign linked below.