South Yorkshire Times September 2, 1950
Bomber Ace’s Appeal
Backs Conisbrough and Denaby Memorial Fund
A comment on the present Far East crisis was made on Saturday by Mr. J. H. Dunk, D.S.O., D.F.C., speaking at a dinner sponsored by the Conisbrough and Denaby War Memorial Committee. The dinner, an inaugural civic event, marked the opening of an appeal by the Committee for £1,000 with which to erect additional War Memorials in Conisbrough and Denaby for the dead of the last war.
War is “Plain Horror”
Mr. Dunk himself a war-time flying ace, began: “It is a sad reflection that we should be here at all to-day. It is sad that the untold legions of the 1914-18 war have not, as they thought, stopped war. It is sadder still that those who died in the more recent war seem to have paved the way to another war.
“Nobody, civilian or Serviceman, has anything to gain by war. It is plain horror in their lives. But if we or our friends are attacked it is up to us to defend them. We must all be of service now, not when the more hurried call comes. The best way to serve peace is for us all to do what we can now.
“I am quite sure that this prosperous mining community can supply the memorial if they are satisfied by the appeal.”
Mr. R. J. Troughton, organising secretary of the appeal, replied to 1Mr. Dunk’s toast of “The Memorial Appeal.” He realised, he said, that money was getting tighter, but was confident that the £1,000 would be raised. “There is a spiritual significance to the memorial” he went on, “And if we raise the money, we shall be erecting something of considerable comfort to those who have been bereaved in the war.”
Mr. C. G. Ogilwy, responding to the toast by Lt. R. W. Tasker;, R.N.V.R. of “The Ex-Servicemen’ hoped that the memorials would serve not only for the ex-Servicemen and the dead of Conisbrough and Denaby, but those of the whole country, and he looked forward to the future when the people of both towns would be able to look upon the memorials, take part in the services, and think of those who had lost their lives in the war.
Pretty Parks
Mr. C. J. Pickett, Manager of Denaby Main Colliery, thanked the Civic authorities for the work they had done in Conisbrough and Denaby and for the memorial they had provided. “Conisbrough has one of the prettiest parks in South Yorkshire, he said, “And Denaby are very proud of their park too. The British Legion at Denaby have faithfully, year after year, painted the wooden memorial cross outside the Parish Church, so that they can come to the services, and they deserve a bigger memorial.”
The reply to Mr. Pickett was made by Coun. R. H. Shephard, a member of the committee, who outlined the work that had been, and would be done on the erection of the memorial arch in Denaby and the addition of plaques to the Conisbrough memorial.
Coun. G. Oldfield, chairman of the Urban Council. added his words to the appeal when he said “Who would ever attempt to say that he would not do or give something. I appeal to you to try and swell the fund.”
Wing Commander J. H. D. Chapple, of Finningley, replied “I must say that in this district I have met some very charming people, none nicer than in Conisbrough and Denaby. We at Finningley do feel that we are very close to Conisbrough because of the good relations fostered between both people.
He closed by issuing an invitation to the public to attend Finningleys ‘Open Day”‘ on September 16th. Battle of Britain Day when he confidently expected about 20,000 people
Chairman was Mr. Philip Brocklesby and Toastmaster Mr Arthur R. Beeson.