Crowd gathers for tribute to VC hero exactly 44 years after his death
FORMER service personnel, dignitaries and residents gathered for a memorial service to pay respects to Sgt Ian McKay 44 years after his death in the Falklands War.
Sgt McKay won the Victoria Cross for his actions - which led to his death - at Mount Longdon on June 12, 1982.
A housing complex at Pine Close in Hoyland was built and named in his honour later in the 1980s, because land in Rotherham - where his family lived - was not available.
Pine Close includes a garden named in his honour and a memorial service was organised by those who currently live there.
Canon Keith Hale led proceedings, which included a hymn, prayer, two minutes’ silence and the Last Post.
The event was attended by Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock, who gave a speech, with Susan Speight - who was instrumental in organising the memorial - also addressing those who attended.
Neil Spencer, chief executive officer of the Hoyland Forge Community Partnership, who explained the background to the event.
A wreath was laid by retired Squadron Leader Barry Darwin, himself originally from Hoyland and now president of the RAF Association in Sheffield.
Pine Close was built specifically to house former service personnel, but more recent has been sold to a third party, meaning the community will be diluted as those from non-military backgrounds begin to move in.
During his closing address, Canon Hale spoke of the “damage and distress” caused by the sale of the cottages.
A new memorial to Sgt McKay is currently planned at the war memorial in Greasbrough, where his parents lived.