A new exhibition which commemorates the centenary of the Royal Air Force opens in Ballymoney this month.

Air Marshal Sir Robert Cramer, Officer Commanding Maritime Air Forces, carrying out an inspection of airmen in 1971, marking the end of operational flying at Ballykelly. Courtesy of the Coleraine Chronicle.

Curated by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Museum Services, it allows visitors to explore the development of the RAF from its formation on 1^st April 1918 until recent times. The exhibition examines its connection to this region, including Coastal Command Airbases occupied during World War II at Limavady and Ballykelly along with Mullaghmore.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Joan Baird OBE said: “The Causeway Coast and Glens has played a considerable role in the 100-year-old story of the RAF, with many local people making an important contribution to the organisation. The exhibition will allow people to discover the operational conditions RAF personnel faced at Limavady and their continued presence in Ballykelly when the war ended. It also looks at the involvement of Mullaghmore airbase with the invasions at Normandy in 1944, providing a fascinating insight into this important part of our history.”

The exhibition is complemented by images from the Imperial War Museum, Coleraine Chronicle & Constitution Archives and Ulster Aviation Society.

Visitors are encouraged to contribute to a ‘Memory Book’ by sharing any memories or knowledge they have of local airmen who served within the RAF.

‘The Royal Air Force Centenary 1918-2018’ exhibition runs from:

April 11^th– April 28^th in Ballymoney Museum. Opening times Monday – Thursday & Saturday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4.30pm

June 26^th – June 30^th in Coleraine Town Hall. Opening times Tuesday – Saturday 11am-4pm

July 3^rd– September 30^th in Green Lane Museum, Limavady, Roe Valley Country Park.

Opening times June, July and August Monday-Sunday 1pm-4.45pm & September, weekends only, 1pm-4.45pm.