Plans to build Battle of Britain Memorial near Weymouth move a step closer
A Battle of Britain Memorial is a step closer to being built near Weymouth.
Throughout the summer and autumn of 1940, a reported 544 service men and women died as the RAF engaged in an aerial battle to beat back Hitler's forces.
The project at Bowleaze Cove has been organised by resident Rob Oliver who has spent the past 25 years helping ex RAF veterans who served at RAF Warmwell during the Battle.
Now a site has been secured for the memorial having been donated by a local businessman.
Mr Oliver says this would be the only memorial in the South West for the Battle of Britain, "and it's long overdue".
Organisers have set up a Crowdfunding page which will ask the public to "sponsor the name of one of the 544 young men who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the epic Battle of Britain".
"These names of the fallen will be displayed on three stainless steel plaques, on the front of the memorial, and comprise the complete Roll of Honour."
"The memorial will be built out of Portland Stone, with Black slate on tops and sited near to the beach with a lovely view of Portland at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth Dorset near the Beachside who's owner Jon Davenport kindly gave me this piece of land for this project."
READ MORE FROM THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY FIVE YEARS AGO:
Mr Oliver says he decided to create the memorial after making a promise to a veteran of the battle.