Council to unveil commemorative stones in honour of those who fought in the two World Wars

September 14, 2015

The Chairman of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Corporate Services Committee, Alderman James Tinsley will lead a short service at Maghaberry Village Green on Wednesday 23rd September at 6.45pm to honour World War One, World War Two and American Air Force personnel.

Maghaberry saw Air Force personnel based there during World War Two.

Local families in the Maghaberry area and those of serving personnel are invited to join the Council as it unveils commemorative stones in honour of those who fought in and died in the two World Wars.

The Maghaberry Prison site was an important location during World War Two.  It was home to an airfield used by the Royal Air Force from January 1942 to build heavy RAF bomber planes; and then 1943 saw the arrival of 200 US Army Air Force personnel, which used this airfield as their transit base for planes from America to refuel before flying on to wherever they were needed in Europe.  US Air Force mechanics also serviced aircraft at Maghaberry.

Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of the Council’s Corporate Services Committee, speaking about the upcoming service, said: “It is a privilege to acknowledge the important role Maghaberry played in the two World Wars.  The busiest period in Maghaberry’s history was World War Two when American fighter planes and Flying Fortress Bombers took off to provide support to the British and European Troops as they fought side by side in the battle against Germany.

“Both World Wars are now long since passed but the installation of these commemorative stones will ensure that the memories of those who sacrificed their lives for others do not disappear into history like the former Maghaberry Airfield.  As a conflict, World War Two cost many lives and we should remember those who fought bravely on land and in the air to secure the freedom we enjoy today. 

“I would like to encourage those who live within the Maghaberry area and veterans of either World War or who served in the US Air Force to come along and join us at the service in the centre of Maghaberry on the 23rd September at 6.45pm.  There will be light refreshments in the Community Centre after the unveiling,” concluded Alderman Tinsley.

Artist Ross Wilson has designed the Commemorative Stones that marks the importance of Maghaberry’s Airfield History.