A PROPOSAL to honour those who protected Weymouth and Portland during the Battle of Britain has been submitted to the borough council.
A former Weymouth resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, has submitted an informal application for a memorial stone to commemorate the squadrons who protected Weymouth and Portland’s former navy base.
These squadrons were the 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron Spitfires, the 609 (West Riding) Squadron Spitfires, the 238 Squadron Hurricanes, the 56 Squadron Hurricanes, the 87 Squadron Hurricanes, the 213 Squadron Hurricanes and the 601 Squadron Hurricanes. The 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron Spitfires were based in Warmwell.
In a letter to Greg Northcote, head of estates at the borough council, the former resident said: “I feel that this would be a fitting memorial for those who protected our shores and towns, allowing them to be what they are today.
“Most people generally think that the Battle of Britain wa fought just over the South East and London.
“This would be a great opportunity for the people of Weymouth and Portland to put the record straight and would finally give the squadrons the recognition and respect they deserve for doing their bit towards victory and saving this country.”
The man behind the movement has drawn up a design for what the stone could look like, and has suggested it could be sited in the Nothe Gardens.
In his letter, he adds: “I know Weymouth has other memorial stones, but there is not a memorial stone dedicated just to our brave boys in blue.”
A spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council confirmed an informal application had been received by Mr Northcote.
He said: “We haven’t received a formal application from him.
“It’s obviously got to come through as a planning application.
“It has to be down in writing. It has to go through all the relevant stages.”
At this stage, the man behind the proposal said he was initially looking to see how much support there would be for the memorial stone.
He said he’d be keen to see if local businesses or members of the community would be prepared to make donations or help put on fundraising events.
If you would like to see a memorial stone remembering those who fought over Weymouth and Portland during the Battle of Britain, let us know by emailing oscar.tollast@dorsetecho.co.uk.
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