Useful

**LanceBombardEars** · 22-04-2010, 20:01

I suppose I'd never given it a thought as to what would happen to the place, but while its great that there is no need for it, I can't help feeling a bit sad that such an iconic location is now pretty well derelict.

Spent most of my time there (1992) trying to avoid the place by refusing to come down from R11.

Remember getting a fearsome bollocking for sleeping through a fire drill. Everyone was kept hanging around in the vehicle shed waiting for me. They should have got a louder fire bell.

Also got gripped for a haircut the night before flying back for my Potential Officers Course. I'd been growing it for three months to look like a Rupert!

**Brassneck** · 16-05-2010, 18:09

Aye some good memories of that circa 1984

**mcreature** · 17-05-2010, 00:51

If you go on Google Earth,you can tour S Armagh by road.The satellite picture ain't too clear,but use street view and you're there.Best to open up a map on another page and use it to give an idea where to go----then just zoom in.

You can patrol all the shitholes from there----obviously,you can't go in the cuds.

XMG

3 Steps Inn

Bessbrook

Forkhill

etc.

**Maj_Boothroyd** · 14-06-2010, 09:51

87 in to 88 for me. 2SG ('there's no abbreviations in 2SG') followed by 40Cdo and the infamous "Boys are back in town" calling-cards placed through the doors of Republican sympathisers in Newry and then Seamus Mallon MP waving one of them around the House of Commons. Stoopid booties.

Plus the sound of the helicopters and staircase known as 'metal mountain'. Also the visit of the 'Sangar Banger' to the bottom sangar on a Friday evening. I never got the right stag/day/sangar combo to 'meet' her.

**BUDGIE-MIA** · 08-07-2010, 10:23

Originally Posted by Ord_Sgt

I spent an awful lot of time going through there in 93-95 but I'm, damned if I remember the viaduct :( where was that?

Spent a great deal of time there and on the way through there to XMG via the HLS in 1986-7 and the photographs bring back a lot of memories of that time.

There was two entances to the Mill, one to the north, the main entance via Bessbrook and the other back entrance to the south. This entrance would be where you would transit the viaduct just before the barrier, if your or leaders' map reading was if'y, then this entrance would be avoided as there was no sign posts.

**BUDGIE-MIA** · 08-07-2010, 14:58

Arial Photo of the Mill, not sure when it was taken, viaduct was left stage

**buttonsin3s** · 08-07-2010, 15:17

Originally Posted by mcreature

If you go on Google Earth,you can tour S Armagh by road.The satellite picture ain't too clear,but use street view and you're there.Best to open up a map on another page and use it to give an idea where to go----then just zoom in.

You can patrol all the shitholes from there----obviously,you can't go in the cuds.

XMG

3 Steps Inn

Bessbrook

Forkhill

etc.

But you can get near to a certain farm in Larkins Road, I sometimes, when i'm bored, send an envelope containing a help for heroes wristband to the occupant, oh and a "support the Scots Guards in afghan" wristband a while ago. Wonder if he wears them?

Interesting photos though, thanks for putting them on.

**allents1066** · 18-12-2010, 22:44

Thanks. they bring back some good and bad memories... spent a while there in 87/88.... and seeing that viaduct, what a nice place to spend xmas day

**stigit47** · 05-01-2012, 20:03

I kept diaries whilst in the Army and I've just completed my first blog. It is a day by day account of my six month tour of NI based at Bessbrook Mill. You can read it at

www.4btystig.wordpress.com 'THE BANDIT TOUR 90' No Bombs or Bravery just Bullshit and Bordom.........

**wet_blobby** · 05-01-2012, 20:32

Originally Posted by Maj_Boothroyd

87 in to 88 for me. 2SG ('there's no abbreviations in 2SG') followed by 40Cdo and the infamous "Boys are back in town" calling-cards placed through the doors of Republican sympathisers in Newry and then Seamus Mallon MP waving one of them around the House of Commons. Stoopid booties.

Plus the sound of the helicopters and staircase known as 'metal mountain'. Also the visit of the 'Sangar Banger' to the bottom sangar on a Friday evening. I never got the right stag/day/sangar combo to 'meet' her.

Aye, we took over from you. There was a bit of a sense of humour failure when those cards got handed out. Never mind, nothing wrong in telling the local population there was a military presence back in the area........

The rumour was the disused part of the mill was owned by a member of the IRA, any truth in that?