A PERMANENT memorial to those who served at RAF Helensburgh during the Second World War was unveiled in the town on Saturday.

The memorial, at Kidston Park, was unveiled by Robin Bird, whose late father, Bob, worked at the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment (MAEE) at the flying boat base during the conflict.

The memorial is the result of a joint effort by the Helensburgh Heritage Trust and the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust (ABCT), set up in 2006 with the aim of establishing permanent memorials to former airfields the length and breadth of Britain.

Its first memorials, in Essex and Kent, were erected in 2009 - the 100th anniversary of the first airfields in Britain.

Kenneth Bannerman, the ABCT’s founder, said: “The event went extremely well and everyone was very happy with the memorial.

“This was the 60th airfield memorial we have unveiled since the Trust was founded.

“As well as the MAEE, RAF Helensburgh was very significant in its own right and the people who served there deserve to be honoured.”

Among those present at Saturday’s ceremony were Commander James Leatherby, representing the Royal Navy, and Helensburgh’s MP Brendan O’Hara and MSP Jackie Baillie.

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