VETERAN airmen from Canadian 422 Squadron have mourned those lost when a Catalina crashed at Whitehill during the Second World War.
A stone commemorating the loss of Catalina AH551 with eight crew members was unveiled by Wes Maxwell and Peter Moffat who served with 422 in north Fermanagh.
Bugler Andrew Gordon from Portora played the last post and reveille and Pipe Major Kenny Ferguson of Killadeas Pipe Band played the traditional lament ‘Flowers of the Forest’.
Two 422 Squadron veterans and two RAFA representatives formed a colour party to mark the occasion. Earlier in the day the eight Canadian airmen, together with wives, children and grandchildren were welcomed to Necarne by friends from throughout Fermanagh.
There, a stone was unveiled to commemorate the estate’s former role as a military hospital during the war.It was the third visit to Fermanagh for the Canadian airmen, who enjoyed their last reunion so much they decided to come on an informal return trip.Former engine mechanic Wes Maxwell reminisced about walking from their base at Castle Archdale to nearby farms where they bought eggs and meat to bring back to camp.
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