PERSONEL who served at Helensburgh’s RAF base during the Second World War have been honoured at the unveiling of a permanent memorial.

The memorial, unveiled at Kidston Park last weekend, pays permanent tribute to those who worked at the base in Rhu between September 1939 and November 1947.

The ceremony, attended by politicians and other dignitaries, was organised jointly by the Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust and the Helensburgh Heritage Trust.

It was made even more memorable by a fly-past from a present-day seaplane, based at Prestwick and piloted by Hamish Mitchell, honouring the “flying boats” which were built, tested and flown at the base during the Second World War.

The memorial, unveiled by author Robin Bird, whose late father spent two years working at the base, is the 60th to be erected by the ABCT at former air bases the length and breadth of Britain since 2009.

Kenneth Bannerman, the ABCT’s founder and director-general, said: “It was a very special ceremony and we had an extremely good turnout.

“The idea of a memorial to RAF Helensburgh is one I’ve had for a number of years. I was aware of Robin Bird’s work, and I was especially pleased when the Helensburgh Heritage Trust got involved.

“We had hoped to have it complete some time last year, but we weren’t able to do that for various reasons, and I’m delighted it’s now in place.”

Thanks to Mr Bird’s research, chronicled in the Advertiser’s Eye on Millig column in recent months – much more light has been shed on the work of the base, which operated during the war in conditions of the utmost secrecy.

That secrecy was largely because of the presence at the base of the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, which developed ways of using flying boats to seek and sink the German U-Boats that threatened Britain’s survival.

The base also played a role in the development of the “bouncing bombs” famously used in the “Dambusters” raids which inspired one of the most famous war films of all time.

Mr Bannerman continued: “MAEE wasn’t the only thing at RAF Helensburgh. But it’s never been terribly well documented because it was a top-secret experimental base.

“Helensburgh played a major part in aviation safety, improving flying boats, testing weaponry and so on.

“In its own right it was very significant. And the people who served there deserve to be honoured.”

Among those who attended were MP Brendan O’Hara, MSP Jackie Baillie, councillors Aileen Morton, Ellen Morton and Richard Trail, ex-Provost Billy Petrie, Commander James Leatherby from HM Naval Base Clyde, representatives from the Helensburgh branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, and Arrochar man Bill Ross, who served in the RAF during the war, flying Liberator bombers.

Piper Russell McKinnon, who previously served in the RAF, provided the musical backdrop to the ceremony.

Mr O’Hara said: “It is fantastic to see the unveiling of the memorial to the RAF Helensburgh and to remember the part they played during the war when the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment (MAEE) was located in Helensburgh and is a great reminder of the contribution they made to the war effort. 

“My thanks to the Helensburgh Heritage Trust for inviting me to be part of the ceremony.”

Helensburgh’s MSP, Jackie Baillie said: “The ceremony was well supported by the local community and former servicemen and women. The memorial will provide a focal point for visitors and local residents alike to remember the contribution that the RAF made to life in Helensburgh.”

Helensburgh councillor and Argyll and Bute Council leader Aileen Morton added: “The event at Kidston was beautifully organised by the Heritage Trust to mark what was a very substantial but relatively unknown piece of local history.

“The flypast by the seaplane added the wow factor but the presence of so many people who could remember the airfield in operation was definitely the highlight for me.”