Memorial for WW2 plane crash
THREE MEN KILLED IN BALLYCULLANE CRASH REMEMBERED
SEVENTY FIVE years ago three men were killed when their plane crashed in Ballycullane.
Their lives are being remembered with a memorial which is being organised by local men Sean Egan and Billy Downes who have a deep interest in the crash, having grown up hearing stories about it from their parents and grandparents.
The twin engine RAF medium range bomber, a Lockheed Hudson with serial number AM885 was on a fuel consumption test over the south of Ireland on Thursday, September 16, 1943. The crew comprised of three men from three different countries: F/Sgt. Pryce Owen (navigator) from Penygroes,
Wales, F/Sgt. John Colhoun (pilot), from Paisley, Scotland and F/Sgt. A.J. Chabarra (wireless operator), from Alberta in Canada. The plane, which had been ‘heard’ from look out points at
Cork, Ballycotton and Hook Head, came aground at Kinnagh, Ballycullane and the three men were killed instantly. It is believed the aircraft developed engine trouble and had a lot of fuel on board. The plane was completely destroyed and burned out within a few hours. Local gardai and members of the
Local Defence Force (LDF) were first to the scene and they reported back to the Irish Army coastal fort at Duncannon. The military party from the 1st Field Company based at Duncannon gathered up the wreckage and returned it to the fort for disposal.
Sean said many people in the area would have collected ‘souvenirs’ at the
time from the crash including his late grandfather Nicky who had a piece of the plane kept on his mantelpiece. ‘It was lost when the house burned down. I also remember hearing stories from my father John Egan.’
The crash was one of 200 to occur in Ireland during the war. Sean and Billy are planning a special commemoration event in September where a memorial is being erected to mark the three quarters of a century since Mr Owen, Mr Chabarra and Mr Colhoun died.
Sean said: ‘We would love to hear from people who may have some piece of memorabilia from the plane, or even some of the older generation that may have photos of LDF members serving at the time who witnessed the incident.’
Sean can be contacted at 087 9687092.