A memorial consisting of two plaques and a storyboard has been unveiled at Macedon Point in Hazelbank Park, Newtownabbey.

The memorial records the service of eight sailors from Northern Ireland who took part in the 1949 Yangtze Incident aboard HMS Amethyst.

The vessel was fired upon by communist forces while protecting a diplomatic post during the Chinese Civil War, resulting in more than 20 crew deaths and a 10-week period during which the ship was held.

The crew later made an escape attempt at night, running through artillery fire along the Yangtze River to reach open sea.

Most of the eight sailors were from County Antrim, with at least two having ties to the Antrim and Newtownabbey area.

Relatives of the men attended the unveiling, including family members of Raymond McCullough Senior and Samuel Bannister.

Lord Mayor Leah Kirkpatrick attended and stated that the memorial highlights local history and heritage.