Lt Fred Barton: WWII pilot remembered at Tyrone field crash site
The Georgia-born pilot had completed 35 missions during World War II and following the end of the war had been working as a test pilot based out of a US army encampment in County Antrim.The cause of the crash was deemed unknown but local reports at the time said parts of the exploded plane covered a distance of half a square mile across the Tyrone countryside.Lt Barton was initially buried in Belfast before his remains were exhumed and transferred to a cemetery in his home of Atlanta, Georgia.This week, to mark the 80th anniversary of his death, a group of local history enthusiasts from County Tyrone organised a memorial at the entrance of the field near the crash site.Local man Trevor Lockhart worked closely with Lt Barton's family members.
Mr Lockhart said: "This young pilot lost his life in a field just over that hill, it was a story that was known locally, but we wanted to put in a permanent memorial."The idea really started last year when some members of Lt Barton's family came to visit this site, so with their permission, and with the help of the local historical society, we took the idea of a memorial forward."Earlier this week a short act of remembrance was accompanied by music provided by a local piper.Members of Lt Barton's family were unable to attend the event in person , but some were able to video call and watch it remotely.
This included Lt Barton's great-niece, Neely Stansell-Simpson, who lives in the American state of Georgia.Speaking to BBC News NI, she said: "The service was lovely and our family was so moved by it."There is also something so profound to me about connecting with a community so far from the place I live, who has so lovingly and tenderly kept the memory of my great-uncle alive."
Last October Lt Barton's nephew, Greg Norton, travelled to visit the crash site with his wife.Greg has sadly since passed away, but his wife Elaine was able to watch the memorial service through a video call.She said: "It was very emotional for lots of reasons, and I know Greg would have been astounded when it was clear how many local people had turned out for the dedication, it means a lot to the family."
Son, brother, husband, father
Speaking at the memorial event, County Tyrone historian Jonathan Gray reflected on the crash.He said: "A local man who witnessed the crash that Sunday morning, told me that the aircraft did not sound right, perhaps he had heard the results of engine failure."Either way it's right we're honouring his life, his service and the ripple effects his loss had on his family and friends."A few lines of a letter from Fred's boyhood friend, H R Hawkins, were also read out.
The letter said: "Mother has just notified me about the Lord taking my best pal. He must have had a reason but it is hard to believe that Fred won't be there when I get back. Fred has always been the best buddy I ever had."The only satisfaction I get is knowing that Fred was a wonderful person and I know that where he has gone there will be no dark days just as we have had since entering the war. "We will never forget him and it is a wonderful thing that there is a Little Fred to take his place. I will certainly love that baby."Fred Barton is one of a number of WWII pilots who died as a result of aircraft crashes in Northern Ireland.
This was largely due to the fact that there was a high concentration of airfields and training operations.One of the most well known cases was that of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress that crashed on Cave Hill in Belfast, resulting in the deaths of 10 crew members.Trevor Lockhart says it is fitting the crash site of Lt Barton's plane has now been formally marked and recognised.He said: "It's important to remember this young man, for his important service and he paid the ultimate sacrifice for that service."So now we have a spot for Lt Barton's family and future generations to come and visit, to pay their respects to this young war hero."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
35 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Summer lamb and vegetable stew
This is my take on a classic Irish stew, but with a summery twist using seasonal vegetables such as baby turnips and young carrots – whatever you've grown or can get your hands on. You can throw in some small new potatoes too, in true Irish style. If you're a gardener, it's a brilliant way to use up those tiny veggies when thinning out your beds – I did exactly that with my radishes (planted them a bit too close together) and they cooked up just like baby turnips. I like to serve this with a zippy green sauce made from soft herbs – think parsley, mint, basil – blended with a splash of oil, a bit of mustard and some capers for kick. Ingredients For the stew 1 tbsp olive oil 800g lamb neck fillet, cut into 2cm pieces 1.2 litres lamb or chicken stock 2 bay leaves A few sprigs of thyme about 12 young carrots about 12 baby turnips or radishes ½ hispi cabbage, cut into 4 wedges crusty bread, to serve (optional) For the green sauce handful of mint, basil and parsley (stalks and leaves) 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp capers juice of ½ lemon Method Step Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy sauté pan and brown 800g lamb neck fillet, cut into 2cm pieces for about 3 minutes, turning regularly to colour the meat all over. Step Bring to a rolling boil, skim the surface and season. Step Simmer over a low heat for about 1 hour – skimming any foam off the top as it's cooking. Step Check for tenderness – the lamb should be soft and pull-away tender. Continue simmering if necessary. Step Meanwhile, to make the green sauce, lightly blitz a handful of mint, basil and parsley (stalks and leaves), 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1tbsp capers and the juice of ½ lemon in a food processor or blender – you don't want to whizz it too much as you still want some texture. Step Once the meat is nearly cooked, add 12 young carrots and 12 baby turnips or radishes (left whole) and cover with a lid, simmering for about 10 minutes until they are nearly tender.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
What a suspected bomb at a Hong Kong construction site turned out to be
A suspected bomb found at a construction site in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, on Tuesday prompted a brief police cordon and evacuation of workers. Police explosive experts identified the object as a British cannon barrel, measuring about four metres long, and subsequently declared the area safe. The barrel, unearthed approximately three metres underground, dates back to British colonial rule, a period when Hong Kong was a target during World War II. It is fairly common for relics, including unexploded ordnance from past conflicts, particularly World War II, to be discovered during construction or excavation work in the city. Previous significant finds in Hong Kong include a 500-pound Japanese bomb in 2022 and a British naval mine, both of which were safely detonated.
BreakingNews.ie
4 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Drone restrictions over Tuam site ahead of full-scale excavation
A restriction against flying drones over the site of a former mother and baby home has been put in place in Tuam, Co Galway ahead of its excavation. The full-scale forensic dig of the site of St Mary's mother and baby home, where it is believed up to 800 babies and young children were buried between 1925 and 1961, is scheduled to begin next week. Advertisement The limit on the use of drones, issued by the Irish Aviation Authority, arises out of the sensitive nature of the work and the requirement for privacy. The excavation area, surrounded by a 2.4 metre-high hoarding, is subject to security monitoring on a 24-hour basis to ensure the forensic integrity of the site. The excavation is scheduled to begin on Monday and is anticipated to last two years. The work at the burial site, which is being undertaken by the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention Tuam (Odait), will involve the exhumation and analysis of all remains uncovered. Advertisement The team will work to individualise and identify the remains where possible before their re-interment. Odait leader Daniel MacSweeney said there had not been any issues with security of the site since the team's took control of the area for pre-excavation work in the middle of June. He said: 'We need to deal with it as a forensic science, we need to deal with it like a police investigation scene. Ireland Families to visit Tuam mass grave site ahead of ex... Read More 'That's the standard we're held to because that's what's in the legislation, and therefore it's not possible for the public or whatever to actually enter. Advertisement 'So, once it's under forensic control, which it is now, then we cannot have people entering the site. 'Therefore we have security, and we have the hoarding around the site.'
