South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 22 May 1943
Out For More Records
Conisbrough Well Past “Wings” Target
Conisbrough’s Wings for Victory Week target of £60,000 to buy a squadron of Spitfires had been easily exceeded yesterday (Thursday) and morning, when the total was £66,347. It was the first time that savings weeks targets in the urban district had passed by Wednesday night and all previous records for small savings at selling centres were broken. Savings groups have already passed their aims and it is hoped to raise another £10,000 to beat the Warship Week figure of £73,894.
Of all South Yorkshire “Wings” Weeks, that at Conisbrough had the finest background. Conisbrough Castle—for the official opening ceremony on Saturday by Group Captain A. H. Peck, D.S.O., M.C. It was preceded by a parade from Tickhill Square, Denaby, of members of the R.A.F., W.A.A.F., A.T.C., G.T.C., Home Guard, a local Civil Defence Services, Nursing and Ambulance Units, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, headed by the St. John Ambulance Band and led by Edlington Pipe Band. The salute was taken by Group Captain Peck at the War Memorial. Thousands heard the speeches in the castle grounds and high above them, for the first time in the castle’s long history, the R.A.F. Ensign was flying. On the summit of the keep, Bombers added a realistic touch to the scene by skimming the castle walls.
Coun. D. Sheldon (chairman of the local Savings Committee), who presided, said the castle setting for their opening ceremony could not be beaten anywhere in the country. Conisbrough urban area bought aeroplanes by raising £72,000 in War Weapons Week and thereby helped to bring about today’s happy war position. In Warship Week they got £73,894, and Tanks Week enabled them to name two tanks. For “Wings” Week they had fixed the target at £60,000—£4 per head of population—and he considered they could reach the six-figure mark if everyone contributed their share.
Coun. Sheldon read telegrams from Sir Kingsley Wood (Chancellor of the Exchequer) and Sir Archibald Sinclair (Secretary of State for Air). He regretted the absence through operation duties of Squadron Leader J. H. Dunk, D.F.C., and the captain and crew of a Lancaster bomber. Squadron Leader Dunk was an example of how local lads could and did do well. “Since the War Savings Committee was started in 1940, the total saved in the urban area is £363,000, which is marvellous when you think we have only 15,000 people here,” said Coun. Sheldon.
An All-In Job
Group Captain Peck said he was not going to suggest that the R.A.F. could win the war alone. The war could only be won in the shortest possible time by the United Services as a whole and the civil population. Everybody was doing their bit and “Wings” Week was one more way they could help by lending every penny they did not need.
Group Captain Peck said after the Battle of Britain we were down to bed-rock. Ever since then Bomber Command had been hammering away at the enemy. This bombing was a great contribution to the winning of the war in the shortest time. Coastal Command had seen to it that many convoys had come through successfully and if the strength of the Command could be doubled it would double the protection of convoys. “We were giving the Germans ten times the amount of bombs they had dropped here, and he wanted those present to make it 120 times by their savings.”
Group Captain Peck added that Conisbrough’s “show” was the best he had been to yet and he had never spoken in such a beautiful setting.
Mr. J. Rowbottom (Assistant Regional Commissioner for National Savings) praised the way the R.A.F. were “going over the top” each day and night. The R.A.F. had blasted the road into Tunisia, and were now going to blast the road into Europe and find the way to Berlin.
Might Have Been
Mr. N. Hulley (agent, Amalgamated Denaby Collieries, Ltd.) said had it not been for the magnificent display of the R.A.F. in the Battle of Britain we might have been one of the occupied countries. “We were now expecting to see the world made safe not only for ourselves, but for everyone. Before any attempt could be made to invade the continent the way must be prepared by the R.A.F., and that would not be done unless people’s savings backed up the airmen.”
A vote of thanks was proposed by Cadet Doreen Kelsall (G.T.C.) and seconded by Sergt. Peter Armstrong (A.T.C.).
Group Captain Peck opened an aerial reconnaissance at Church Street, Conisbrough and an exhibition of a model Spitfire (made by Conisbrough A.T.C.) and R.A.F. photographs at Church House, Conisbrough, A.T.C. members forming a guard of honour. Photographs of Denaby and Conisbrough men and women serving with the R.A.F. and W.A.A.F. are on show at Messrs. Whittaker’s, Denaby, and at Church Street, Conisbrough. Hundreds of savings stamps were stuck on the case of a 500lb. bomb exhibited in the castle grounds.
The official figure for the first day was £23,612.
On Sunday a drumhead service was held in the football field by the local Home Guard. There was also a procession, and there was a large attendance at the service. The service was conducted by the Rev. S. Powley, chaplain to A. Company of the Home Guard, and he was assisted by the Rev. V. Lynne, of Conisbrough, a member of the Youth Movement. The event coincided with the third birthday celebrations of the Home Guard, as well as “Wings” Week, and Empire Youth Sunday. The hymns were accompanied by the Denaby St. John Ambulance Band, conducted by Mr. R. Whittington. They also gave a selection during the service.
South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 22 May 1943