Memorial to Polish airmen who served in Co Down unveiled
A MEMORIAL dedicated to Polish airmen who were stationed in Co Down during the Second World War has been unveiled.
The sculpture, funded by the Northern Ireland War Memorial organisation and other donors, is now permanently on display in Court Square, Newtownards.
The Polish ambassador to the UK joined local politicians and the daughters of two Polish airmen who remained in Ards after the war to pay their respects.
The memorial pays tribute to the airmen based here, but also to those who fought alongside the RAF in the Battle of Britain in 1940.
Two squadrons, No 315 “Deblinski” and No 303 “Warsaw-Kosciuszko”, were based in Ballyhalget The monument dedicated to Polish airmen who served in NI
bert early in the war. There was a two-minute silence after the Last Post played while the flags of Poland and the RAF were lowered next to the cenotaph.
Vanda Henderson’s father remained in Ards after his military service. “My father originated from the eastern part of Poland that was handed over to Stalin post-war,” she said.
“So it was difficult for him to back home obviously because he was in the Polish Air Force and had fought against the Russians and the Nazis.
“They would have either put him in prison or would have shot him, so he stayed here.
“It was good he stayed, because he met my mother and of course we’re now here.”
She said she would have loved her father to have been alive to witness the unveiling.
“This hasn’t been recognised now, until 70 years later and I just wish they could’ve been here to see it. At least it’s here now.”
North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon said she was moved by the ceremony.
“It was really very nice to be invited,” she said.
“It’s a beautiful memorial, beautifully carved, beautifully worded and very symbolic.”