Memorial Dedication (RAAF) N Ireland

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by handtohand22, Jul 11, 2008.

  1. handtohand22

    handtohand22 Senior Member

    On 20th July 1942 a Wellington Bomber on a low flying exercise, based at Limavady Airfield, crashed near The Giants Causeway in County Antrim. On board were Pilot Officer Wilson Twentyman aged 26 from Hukanui, Wellington NZ and Sergeant Pilot Vernon Pither from Shepparton Victoria Australia, aged 28.

    Both men lost their lives and are buried in Drumachose Parish Church, Limavady, County Londonderry, N Ireland

    A Granite Memorial will be unveiled and dedicated on Sunday July 20 2008 at 3.30pm at The Giants Causeway, N Ireland
     

    Attached Files:

  2. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    A really great tribute to the lads.

    They should be congratulated for keeping their memory alive.

    Thanks H to H.

    Geoff
     
  3. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    H2H Good thread. Was just at their graves this week taking pics for Spidge. They flew out of this airbase as far as I know:
    The old Limavady airfield in Aghanloo

    Here's some photos I took whilst there of whats left of the airbase:
     

    Attached Files:

  4. handtohand22

    handtohand22 Senior Member

    Thats it, nothing left of the origional buildings, except a mile or so away there may be some accommodation buildings.

    Going to the dedication of the Twentyman/Pither memorial today at 3pm. Will post the pics later.
     
  5. Trincomalee

    Trincomalee Senior Member

    Just past the Giants Causeway , at Dunseverick , local people told me that German submarines used to surface to collect fresh water , where streams fall over the rocks into the bay . When I asked German friends about it , they thought that the submarines would carry sufficient fresh water .

    Anyone else heard these stories ?
     
  6. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Thats it, nothing left of the origional buildings, except a mile or so away there may be some accommodation buildings.

    Going to the dedication of the Twentyman/Pither memorial today at 3pm. Will post the pics later.

    Look forward to the photos H to H. Hope you had a great day.

    By coincidence, on August 10th in Nova Scotia, Canada a historical group are placing a memorial to an Australian Pilot and his Canadian crew who crashed into a mountain in fog. This was August 10th 1942, just three week after the Ireland crash.

    Two commemorations to crews, 66 years hence.
     
  7. handtohand22

    handtohand22 Senior Member

    Four pics from the memorial dedication.

    Pic 1 Memorial Stones

    Pic 2 Glenda Rodgers who planned and organized the financing of the project

    Pic 3 The approach to the crash site. It was a foggy day, too foggy for the low flying exercise they were on

    Pic 4 Looking out on line of approach

    Pic 5 Memorial Stones
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Ronnie,
    Lovely photos, thanks for that.
    Were the Aussie & NZ Governments represented?
    Or was this just locals only?
    Any family members there?
     
  9. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Hi H to H,

    Thank you for the photos. What was the atmosphere of the occasion?

    Owen has asked the questions that was of interest to me.

    Can I use the photos on my memorial website when I eventually (years) get it finished?

    If okay, send me a PM if you want your real name as the donor.

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  10. handtohand22

    handtohand22 Senior Member

    I will get some more pictures as soon as..
    There was over 150 people there for the unveiling and dedication by Rev Dr Victor Dobbin.
    The Royal British Legion standard was lowered during the ceremony. Different army units and associations were represented as well.
    The families were represented by nephews. A small function with tea and buns and prayers and speeches was held in the Parish Hall in Bushmills after the ceremony.

    Glenda Rodgers and some friends from Bushmills Royal British Legion raised the money last year during a WWII exhibition by raffling a painting of the Bushmills War Memorial.

    It was a solemn occasion in parts but everyone involved were justifiably proud of themselves for organising the occasion and having the opportunity to honour the sacrifice made by these two gentlemen over 66 years ago.

    More details to follow.
    I will make the photos so far domain free.
    Ronnie Gamble
     
  11. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    Good post H2H and looking forward to the photos. Here is another article on the airbase. Note the quote that someone remembers seeing 3 wrecks burning in one night. Certainly seems to be a very dangerous airfield to fly into and seeing the terrain it doesnt look inviting especially to low flying aricraft at nite.

    Your Place And Mine - Londonderry - Limavady Part 5 - Aghanloo Airfield
     
  12. GLENDA RODGERS

    GLENDA RODGERS Junior Member

    Hi Glenda Here. Just Joined Need To Know Anything About The Memorial, Just Let Me Know

    Glenda
     
  13. handtohand22

    handtohand22 Senior Member

    A note from Glenda Rodgers:

    REV COLIN SINCLAIR PROPOSED THE ERECTION OF THE MEMORIAL he is a Royal British Legion MEMBER and EX RAF
    THE RESEARCH, GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE FAMILIES, RAISING THE MONEY FOR THE MEMORIAL AND LOCATING A PLACE FOR IT WAS ALL DONE BY MYSELF.

    A NEPHEW OF THE PILOT WILSON TWENTYMAN, NAMED PAUL WILSON TWENTYMAN, HIS SON ROSS AND FRIEND NATHAN WERE HERE TO REPRESENT THE TWENTYMAN FAMILY. THEY CAME FROM NEW ZEALAND, AND WERE COMPLETELY TAKEN ABACK BY THE SERVICE AND THE FRIENDLINESS AND INTEREST OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE.

    I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNIITY TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE THAT TURNED OUT FOR THE DEDICATION SERVICE AND THE PROGRAMME BACK AT THE DUNLUCE PARISH CENTRE.
     
  14. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Hi Glenda Here. Just Joined Need To Know Anything About The Memorial, Just Let Me Know

    Glenda

    Hi Glenda,

    Welcome to the Forum and well done to all on getting this memorial organised. Credit to you.

    Diane
     
    von Poop likes this.

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