Causeway Coast & Glens Council asked to site WW2 airmen memorial on land at Portballintrae
Causeway Coast and Glens Council is to debate a request to site a memorial to six airmen on their land at Portballintrae.
The request has come from Bushmills Through the Wars (BTTW) who have submitted an application for a public memorial - Portballintrae Air Force Memorial - to be situated near Runkerry Beach, Portballintrae.
On November 28, 1943, the crew of Vickers Wellington DV664 had successfully completed their bombing practice and were turning when the aircraft stalled and dived into the water just off Runkerry Beach.
The proposed memorial will commemorate four members of the Royal Air Force and two members of the Royal Australian Air Force who lost their lives as a result of this incident.
The proposed memorial will consist of two pieces of granite, one with a brief description of the incident and the other with the names of the six airmen who perished.
The proposed location overlooks the site where the plane crashed and will be sited on a concrete platform that was used for a hut during the Cold War, therefore enhancing the current site.
Community consultation has been carried out by BTTW and the application included letters and emails from Causeway Coast Community Association, Portballintrae Residents’ Association, North Antrim MP Jim Allister, Australian Executive, Bushmills branch of the Royal British Legion and family members who were all in support of the memorial.
The matter will come before the Leisure and Development Committee of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council on January 20 for consideration.