Polish Consul General joins DUP in North Antrim to honour fallen Polish RAF pilot Jerzy Tuczemski

Pictured: Polish RAF pilot Jerzy Ryszard Tuczemski, local DUP members with North Antrim MLA Paul Frew, and Mr Grzegorz Sala, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Belfast, gathered at the memorial near Rasharkin

A moving memorial service has been held in Rasharkin to honour Polish RAF pilot Jerzy Ryszard Tuczemski, who tragically lost his life in a Spitfire crash during the Second World War.

On 22 August 1943, Pilot Officer Tuczemski took off from RAF Ballyhalbert in his Spitfire VB AB245 PK-L8 for a navigation training sortie.

During low-flying practice over County Armagh, the aircraft developed engine trouble and subsequently crashed at Craig’s Wood, Long Mountain, near Rasharkin, in County Antrim.

The 24-year-old officer of the 315 (Polish) Squadron was killed instantly.

On the 82nd anniversary of his death, members of the North Antrim DUP Association gathered at the roadside memorial on Mullan Road, close to the crash site, to mark the date of his passing.

North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew with Mr Grzegorz Sala, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Belfast, laying wreaths at the memorial near Rasharkin

The service was attended by Mr Grzegorz Sala, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Belfast, whose presence was described as symbolic of the historic bond between the two nations and the vibrant Polish community now living in Northern Ireland.

DUP MLA Paul Frew said he was “honoured to be a part of today’s small memorial service to pay tribute to the life of Jerzy Tuczemski”.

He added:

“Jerzy made the ultimate sacrifice in giving his life to the war effort, a sacrifice made all the more selfless due to the fact he was killed away from home.

“The contribution of Polish airmen like Jerzy to the war effort was hugely significant, this small memorial service was our way as an Association of acknowledging this.

“Finally, on behalf of the North Antrim DUP Association I would like to thank the Polish Consulate, Mr Grzegorz Sala for his presence at the service. We will remember them.”

The memorial to Pilot Officer Tuczemski, erected on Mullan Road, has long stood as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Polish servicemen and women during the war, and the enduring friendship between Poland and Northern Ireland.