Members of the Knottingley War Savings Association and their friends, assembled in the Town Hall, Knottingley, yesterday week, at a number of ceremonies that will live long in their memories.

They were the presentation of a 'Warship Week' plaque to Knottingley from its 'adopted' ship H.M.S. Kennet, and a plaque from Knottingley to the ship. There was also a 'Wings for Victory Week' plaque from the Air Ministry to Knottingley and two specially bound log books from Knottingley to the R.A.F. as well as a certificate of merit to the Knottingley committee, and certificates of honour to the savings groups in Knottingley and Ferrybridge that reached their 'Wings for Victory' targets.

The 'Warship Week' plaque was received by the President of the Knottingley War Savings Committee and Chairman of the Knottingley Urban District Council, Mr. A. Reynolds, from Vice-Admiral L.D.I. Mackintosh., on behalf of the crew of the adopted ship. He in return received from Cr Reynolds an oak plaque bearing the coat-of-arms of the township, to commemorate the adoption of the ship and also a cheque for £25 for use by the crew when they come ashore.

On behalf of the Air Ministry, the 'Wings for Victory' plaque was presented by Squadron Leader W.S. Dean, to the Chairman of the Committee, County Councillor B. Arnold. In receiving the two log books from Mr. Arnold, Squadron Leader Dean expressed the hope that they would return to Knottingley filled to the last page.

The Secretary of the Ladies Committee, Mrs C.Worfolk, received the certificate of merit to the Knottingley Committee, in recognition of its great effort, from the Assistant Regional Commisioner for War Savings, Mr. F.G.W. Summers, who also presented the certificates of honour to leaders and representatives of the savings groups.

Vice-Admiral MacKinnon told the audience that 'their' ship was a minesweeper-trawler, which performed both offensive and defensive duties; it laid mines and cleared them. He told in an interesting way of the difficulties, complications and dangers that accompanied those duties, and said that at the moment the ship was abroad, clearing the way for our landing forces. Paying tribute to the work of the Knottingley Association, he said it was the hearty co-operation of the civilians which pulled us through in the dark days of 1939, and placed us in the happy position we were in today. He reminded his listeners, however, that the hardest fight lay ahead and he urged further effort.

Squadron Leader Dean said it was owing to the people of Knottingley, and people like them all over the country, that for the first time we are now able to carry the war into Germany, and give the Germans a taste of what war is really like.

"We are bombing Germany bang in the middle of her industry, and have reached a stage when we can drop 2,000 tons of bombs in an area about the size of Knottingley in about twenty minutes"

He added that as a result of Knottingley's effort for 'Wings of Victory Week', two or three planes might be allotted to them.

A vote of thanks to Vice Admiral MacKinnon, Squadron Leader Dean, and Assistant Regional Commisioner Summers was proposed by Cr J. Morris, and seconded by Cr G.H. Davies.

On the platform, in addition to those mentioned, were Mrs T.W. Coates, J.P., Mr. E. Treadgold, Mesdames G. Briggs, G.W. Harrad, and C. Worfolk. Cr P. Gross, Messrs. W. Harrad and W. Heseltine were the stewards. After the ceremonies, a dance was held organised by the Savings Committee.

Express October 22nd 1943