A STATUE in Newtownards commemorating Northern Ireland’s most famous soldier, displays the wrong date of his death.
The mistake has only come to light despite the fact that the bronze of Lt Col. Robert Blair Mayne has been in place in Conway Square for almost 30 years.
The statue of Blair Mayne was unveiled in 1997, and a plaque gives details of his life and his famous role during the Second World War in the formation of what was to become the SAS.
The plaque notes that he died in a car crash on December 10, 1955, but the actual date of his death was December 14.
The memorial was commissioned by the former Ards Borough Council, to commemorate ‘Colonel Paddy’, and attracts many visitors to its siting in Conway Square.
However, the error of when Blair Mayne died – as the result of crashing his car in Mill Street – has been noted and reported to Ards and North Down Council only recently.
One of those who picked up the mistake is Andy Glenfield, a keen amateur researcher of World War Two War history in the local area.
Naturally, he has focused on Blair Mayne, and has extensively covered the war hero’s life, from his beginnings in Newtownards, to his excelling in rugby as a British and Irish lion, and his service in war time Europe and north Africa.
Andy said: “For his amazing actions Blair Mayne was recommended for a Victoria Cross, the highest military honour, however he was to receive a 3rd Bar to his Distinguished Service Order.
“As with other ‘Special Forces’ soldiers, Blair Mayne had difficulty adjusting to life after the war. This was not helped by the back pain he suffered from due to parachute drops.
“Sadly ‘Colonel Paddy’ was killed in a road traffic accident on December 14, 1955 whilst driving the red Riley car he referred to as his ‘big red fire engine’.
The accident took place at Mill Street, Newtownards where his car struck a telegraph pole.
His funeral, attended by thousands, took place two days later, and the 40 year-old was buried in the family plot at Movilla cemetery. The statue in Conway Square was unveiled in May, 1997.
Andy added: “Sadly the information given at the statue is wrong.
“I [would] ask that prompt action to right this wrong be taken, and hope that the council purse strings can be loosened to allow for one single digit to be replaced.”
A spokeswoman for Ards and North Down Council said the council had ‘recently been made aware that the date of Blair Mayne’s death on the plaque in Conway Square, Newtownards is incorrect’.
“The council is currently exploring potential solutions to rectify this error with local bronze craftsmen,” she added.
