Headstone beam replaced in churchyard on the Isle of Arran
21 June 2012
Work is in progress to replace a beam underpinning a number of
war grave headstones at Kilbride Old Churchyard on the Isle of
Arran. The headstones have been taken from their mountings to allow
the work to be carried out.
Once the new beam has been installed, the headstones will be put
back. The work is expected to be completed by the middle of July.
There is restricted access to the war graves while the work is
carried out. In the Autumn there will be new horticultural work to
restore the plot to its usual high standard.
There are 36 war graves in Kilbride Old Churchyard, most from the Second
World War. 21 of the casualties died in an air crash in August 1941. The Liberator
aeroplane was being used to take air ferry crews to Canada. Not
long before, the Duke of Kent was on board the same aircraft when
he became the first member of the Royal Family to cross the
Atlantic by air.
22 people were killed in the crash. One of those on board was
buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery.