Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2 to go ahead in Killyleagh

Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2 to go ahead in Killyleagh

6 May 2020

RESIDENTS of Killyleagh and Shrigley have been urged to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day this Friday, despite the cancellation of a number of events in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The events had been organised in Killyleagh to mark the end of the Second World War. 

But, despite continuing concerns around the deadly virus and particular concerns around public safety, the Killyleagh Remembers the War group has revealed that one event will be going ahead.

People are being encouraged to take part in the `Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of World War 2’ at 3pm this Friday from the safety of their home or front garden.

Dame Joan Collins is to lead the ‘Toast’ on behalf of the UK’s women from the safety of her balcony from her London apartment. Dame Joan was a young girl living in London during the war.

Before that, in the morning, the Royal British Legion is calling on people nationally to join in a moment of reflection and Remembrance at 11am and pause for a two minute silence, with the Killyleagh and Killinchy branch of the RBL paying its own tribute.

The main event in Killyleagh was to be in the afternoon — at the time peace was declared in 1945 — but the war group has had to postpone plans for a free street party for the children of the two local primary schools, Killyleagh Integrated and St Mary’s.

A planned interdenominational open-air Tribute to the Millions in the evening at St John’s Church of Ireland on Sunday has also been cancelled.

“We hope that families will take part in the ‘Nation’s Toast’ from the safety of their home, linking us all together in this unique tribute to the millions at home and abroad that gave so much to ensure we all enjoy and share the freedom we have today,” said a spokesman for the Killyleagh group.

“It is disappointing, after more than 18 months of planning, to have to postpone our programme of events, last weekend and this coming weekend. However, it is important to follow the advice to keep everyone safe at this time.’’

Also on Friday night there is a special evening of memories and music in partnership with the BBC from 8pm on BBC1, combined with a sing-along to Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again at 9pm until 10pm.

The Killyleagh war group spokesman said there is now a major doubt over the group’s first scheduled event, a free bus trip to Dublin on Friday, August 7, including a visit to the Glasnevin wall of remembrance. 

“This trip will be kept under review,’’ he added.

The production of a film featuring Killyleagh’s differing roles in the 1939-45 war is continuing, although the format of filming by the documentary maker is likely to be changed by the documentary maker. The plan remains to show this in Killyleagh on Remembrance weekend.

Killyleagh also has its very own World War Two hero — Martin Charters.

In November 2014, the war veteran was  presented with a Bomber Command Clasp during a special presentation ceremony at the former Down Council’s Downshire Civic Centre headquarters in Downpatrick by senior RAF officials.

And the local authority’s successor — Newry, Mourne and Down Council –  is planning to honour Mr Charter and the district’s four surviving World War Two veterans. 

There are plans to present them with silver poppies mounted on a mahogany stand to coincide with the  local authority marking the 75th anniversary of the end of war in 1945.

Mr Charters flew nearly 40 missions during the Second World War, many of them as a rear gunner in Lancaster Bombers which played a pivotal role in the Allies victory over the German forces.

He joined the RAF in 1941 and during his remarkable service throughout the war he worked as a mechanic on Spitfires and later as rear gunner in a Halifax, seeing nearly 40 missions over Europe. He also trained rear gunners for Lancaster bombers.

The Bomber Command Clasp was approved by the Queen for those who qualified with service to Bomber Command between 1939 and 1945 and who already hold the 39-45 Star.

A number of years ago, Mr. Charters was the special guest at Newcastle’s international Festival of Flight where the four-engined Lancaster bomber which played a pivotal role in the Allies’ victory over the German forces was one of the main attractions.

Mr Charters was sent to train as a mechanic in Blackpool after joining the RAF, before he was deployed to St Athens in South Wales. He initially trained on a Hawker Fury biplane, which lasted around 11 months before he was sent to Fighter Command 11 Group to work on Spitfires as a mechanic in early 1942. 

He later moved to an army unit before being transferred to the legendary Bomber Command in 1943. He was based in West Yorkshire and his operational training for bombing missions was carried out in the Isle of Man.