An appeal has gone out for people in Killyleagh to search their attics for precious photos and forgotten souvenirs of the Second World War.
The town is preparing to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the war later this year, with a special VE 75 weekend in May.
But the organisers of the celebrations are keen to track down artefacts, mementos and photos from the war, particularly photos of the soldiers who married in Killyleagh.
The Killyleagh Remembers the War group has already turned up a number of photos, with one of its members, Miss Zena McAllister, producing wedding day photos of Mr Fred Perry, a former teacher at the local primary school who died while serving with the RAF; and another of Mr Sammy Quinn who also served with the RAF and returned to live in Killyleagh.
This Friday residents of Killyleagh and Shrigley are asked to bring along their photos to a medals and memories day in the Lecture Hall in Irish Street from 10am to 4pm.
A spokesperson for the Killyleagh Remembers the War group explained: “We would like people to bring them along so we can copy them and film them, and for relatives to tell us the family stories of service in the war.
“We also want to hear from those who remember the American GI’s in Killyleagh, and those who took part in the original VE celebrations at the Castle Square in 1945 as schoolchildren.
“We have put out an appeal for the families of the local soldiers, sailors and airmen who served from 1939 to 1945 including the 21 local men who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The aim is to film and copy the photographs, and reproduce them in a film, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which everyone in Killyleagh can come to view when it is shown on Remembrance weekend.
“There are very few photos from the period. So far, we have a photo of the American GI’s lined up at Killyleagh Castle and a photo of the Killyleagh Home Guard. We are hoping there are more out there.”
Anyone with photos from the period is asked to bring them along on Friday or to make contact with Zena McAllister, Ann Fee, Austy Cheevers, Billy Croskery or Chris Hagan.
The main focus of the Killyleagh VE 75 celebrations will be over the weekend of May 8 to 10.
On Friday 8 May there will be a free street party for the children of the two local primary schools, Killyleagh Integrated and St Mary’s.
Also on Sunday evening that weekend there will be a religious inter-denominational service and Tribute to the Millions event.
