ID :
103146
Thu, 01/28/2010 - 15:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/103146
The shortlink copeid
Memorial to World War Two plane crash unveiled
Dhadnah, Fujairah - Jan 28, 2010 (WAM)- Nearly seventy years after a Wellington bomber of Britain's Royal Air Force crash-landed at Sayh Dhadnah, in Fujairah, a memorial stone was unveiled today at the site, commemorating both the crash and a British airman, Sergeant William (‘Billy') Donnelly, who died as a result of the crash. The crash took place on 14 February 1943.
In a statement issued to mark the occasion, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council member and Ruler of Fujairah, said: "The Second World War was the deadliest military conflict the world has ever seen, with over 60 million people being killed. We in the United Arab Emirates were fortunate not to be directly involved, although forces from Britain, the United States and other Allies made use of bases in the Emirates. Sergeant Donnelly and the crash in which he died are part of our history, in which Britain has played such a major role. It is right that I and the people of Fujairah, and of the broader United Arab Emirates, should acknowledge his part and I hope that this event will further underline the strength and longevity of the relationship that links the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom."
Attending the ceremony were relatives of Sergeant Donnelly, who had been specially invited to fly out from Britain to attend, British Ambassador Edward Oakden, the British Defence Attaché, a number of officers from the British Royal Air Force, representatives of the Fujairah Tourism and Archaeology Authority and two UAE residents who were responsible for tracing the story of the crash and identifying the location where it occurred.
Contingents from the British Armed Forces, US Navy and Fujairah Emiri Guards were also present at the ceremony.
Commenting before the unveiling ceremony, Sergeant Donnelly's niece, Mrs. June Botten, said that: "After all the years that have passed, years spent wondering about what really happened to Billy, we feel relieved and glad to know the truth." She also expressed her family's gratitude to HH the Ruler for "honouring my Uncle Billy by marking his last resting place here in this beautiful country. "The British Ambassador, Edward Oakden, noting the "excellent co-operation" that existed today between Britain and the UAE, added that this had also been the case sixty years ago during the Second World War.
Following the 1943 crash, he noted: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, then Ruler of Fujairah and the father of the present Ruler, arrived at the scene soon afterwards and provided assistance to the crew until they could be rescued." "I am so glad that Billy's family are able to join us today to commemorate his wartime service and sacrifice," he said, adding "I would like deeply to thank His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed al Sharqi, the Ruler of Fujairah, whose interest and generosity has made this day possible."
Peter Hellyer, an Abu Dhabi-based historian who first discovered references to the plane crash and has subsequently co-ordinated research and planning leading up to the unveiling of the memorial, said: "Finally, after 67 years, there is a proper memorial to the only British and Commonwealth serviceman to have died on active service in the UAE during the Second World War... The active support from HH the Ruler of Fujairah has been of enormous importance. Without his continued encouragement, knowledge of this piece of the shared history of the UAE and Britain would have been lost forever. "
Born in Peru in 1911, Sergeant Donnelly joined the Royal Air Force in 1941, being trained as a navigator. In February 1943, he was a member of a four-man crew ferrying the Wellington bomber from Britain to India.
Following a refuelling stop in Sharjah, the plane took off for Gwadar, on the coast of Pakistan and crossed the Hajar Mountains. Around 30 minutes after take-off, when it was over the sea, oil began to leak from one of the engines and then the propeller flew off. The pilot turned back towards land and the plane then crash-landed at Sayh Dhadnah, being badly damaged. Sergeant Donnelly was severely injured and died shortly afterwards. He was buried close to the site of the crash, near a cemetery containing graves of local inhabitants.
The rest of the crew and a passenger were evacuated a few days later by sea to Sharjah.
According to a Rul Dhadnah resident, Abdulla Rashid, who witnessed the crash and helped two Al Ain-based historians, Brien Holmes and Jodie Healy, to identify the location last summer, Sergeant Donnelly's grave and those of the local inhabitants were washed away by heavy floods many years ago. Abdulla Rashid died at the end of last year.
In a statement issued to mark the occasion, HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council member and Ruler of Fujairah, said: "The Second World War was the deadliest military conflict the world has ever seen, with over 60 million people being killed. We in the United Arab Emirates were fortunate not to be directly involved, although forces from Britain, the United States and other Allies made use of bases in the Emirates. Sergeant Donnelly and the crash in which he died are part of our history, in which Britain has played such a major role. It is right that I and the people of Fujairah, and of the broader United Arab Emirates, should acknowledge his part and I hope that this event will further underline the strength and longevity of the relationship that links the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom."
Attending the ceremony were relatives of Sergeant Donnelly, who had been specially invited to fly out from Britain to attend, British Ambassador Edward Oakden, the British Defence Attaché, a number of officers from the British Royal Air Force, representatives of the Fujairah Tourism and Archaeology Authority and two UAE residents who were responsible for tracing the story of the crash and identifying the location where it occurred.
Contingents from the British Armed Forces, US Navy and Fujairah Emiri Guards were also present at the ceremony.
Commenting before the unveiling ceremony, Sergeant Donnelly's niece, Mrs. June Botten, said that: "After all the years that have passed, years spent wondering about what really happened to Billy, we feel relieved and glad to know the truth." She also expressed her family's gratitude to HH the Ruler for "honouring my Uncle Billy by marking his last resting place here in this beautiful country. "The British Ambassador, Edward Oakden, noting the "excellent co-operation" that existed today between Britain and the UAE, added that this had also been the case sixty years ago during the Second World War.
Following the 1943 crash, he noted: "Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, then Ruler of Fujairah and the father of the present Ruler, arrived at the scene soon afterwards and provided assistance to the crew until they could be rescued." "I am so glad that Billy's family are able to join us today to commemorate his wartime service and sacrifice," he said, adding "I would like deeply to thank His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed al Sharqi, the Ruler of Fujairah, whose interest and generosity has made this day possible."
Peter Hellyer, an Abu Dhabi-based historian who first discovered references to the plane crash and has subsequently co-ordinated research and planning leading up to the unveiling of the memorial, said: "Finally, after 67 years, there is a proper memorial to the only British and Commonwealth serviceman to have died on active service in the UAE during the Second World War... The active support from HH the Ruler of Fujairah has been of enormous importance. Without his continued encouragement, knowledge of this piece of the shared history of the UAE and Britain would have been lost forever. "
Born in Peru in 1911, Sergeant Donnelly joined the Royal Air Force in 1941, being trained as a navigator. In February 1943, he was a member of a four-man crew ferrying the Wellington bomber from Britain to India.
Following a refuelling stop in Sharjah, the plane took off for Gwadar, on the coast of Pakistan and crossed the Hajar Mountains. Around 30 minutes after take-off, when it was over the sea, oil began to leak from one of the engines and then the propeller flew off. The pilot turned back towards land and the plane then crash-landed at Sayh Dhadnah, being badly damaged. Sergeant Donnelly was severely injured and died shortly afterwards. He was buried close to the site of the crash, near a cemetery containing graves of local inhabitants.
The rest of the crew and a passenger were evacuated a few days later by sea to Sharjah.
According to a Rul Dhadnah resident, Abdulla Rashid, who witnessed the crash and helped two Al Ain-based historians, Brien Holmes and Jodie Healy, to identify the location last summer, Sergeant Donnelly's grave and those of the local inhabitants were washed away by heavy floods many years ago. Abdulla Rashid died at the end of last year.
