5th March - WartimeNI

The Supermarine Spitfire

On 5th March 1936, Captain Joseph "Mutt" Summers took off in a test plane from Eastleigh Airfield. That plane was the first of the Supermarine Spitfires - a Type 300 K5054. On landing he is reported to have said: "don't touch a single thing".

The Belfast Telegraph Spitfire Fund

During the Battle of Britain, the Belfast Telegraph launched the Spitfire Fund. The aim was to raise enough money for one of the iconic fighter planes.

Remembering the Fallen

Arthur Brown

Guardsman | 2724382

Guardsman Arthur Brown of Belfast, Co. Antrim died on 5th March 1945 aged 18 years old. He served in the Netherlands with 3rd Battalion Irish Guards.

Robin Benjamin Bunch Coleman

Lieutenant | 87490

Lieutenant Robin Benjamin Bunch Coleman died on 5th March 1943 while he was a prisoner of war in Asia. Before the war, he lived in Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

Robert James Devine

Guardsman | 2724791

Guardsman Robert James Devine of Derry/Londonderry died on 5th March 1945 while serving with 3rd Battalion Irish Guards towards the end of the war.

Lloyd Sidney Dyer

Flight Sergeant | 415185

Flight Sergeant Lloyd Sidney Dyer served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He was fatally injured on 5th March 1943 close to R.A.F. Long Kesh.