South Yorkshire Times, November 4th 1944
“Salute Week” Plaques for Swinton and Kilnhurst
Plaques to commemorate the success of “Salute the Soldier” Week were received on behalf of Swinton and Kilnhurst at a gathering in the Church Hall, Swinton, yesterday (Thursday). Mr. C. W. Peat (Chairman of the Swinton Local War Savings Committee), presiding. On behalf of the War Office, Lieut. W. H. Brown (O.C. No. 9 Platoon, B Company, 61st West Riding Home Guard), presented the Swinton plaque to Coun. F. J. Wilkinson (Chairman of Swinton U.D.C.) and Lieut. J. Pickard (O.C. 16th Platoon, D Company, 61st West Riding Home Guard), the Kilnhurst plaque to Coun. E. Vickers.
Mr. Peat said he was pleased they had a replica of the plaque to be handed to Kilnhurst. He was going to see that Kilnhurst had a replica of all the plaques that had been received. Mr. Peat voiced his appreciation of Coun. Vickers “the father of war savings to Kilnhurst.”
Lieut. Bown who served in France and came through Dunkirk, handing the plaque to Coun. Wilkinson, said that as a member of His Majesty’s Forces, past and present, he could say without fear of contradiction that there was no better stimulant for the British Army than the morale of the people at home.
Coun. Wilkinson said the plaque would be a lasting tribute to the work accomplished by the Savings Committee, the officials, the ladies who worked so hard to achieve the magnificent success of raising £72.000 and the subscribers to whom they offered a special word of praise.
The fact that 23 military honours were gained by Kilnhurst men was mentioned by Lieut. Pickard in resenting the plaque to Coun. Vickers. In this war about 140 of the 200 in the Forces were in the Army. They would be as proud as those at home that this honour, well and truly earned, had been bestowed. Coun. Vickers said the plaque would be something in which Kilnhurst would take pride.
An appeal to continue saving during the critical period of the war and into peace, was made by Mr A. W. Sanders, Regional Commissioner for National Savings, who presented certificates to group secretaries.
The speakers were supported by Mr. J. Rowbottom (Assistant Regional Commissioner for National Savings); Mrs. E. B. South (secretary, Swinton Local Savings Committee), Lieut. A. W. Hillerby (Home Guard), Mr. G. McIver (Head Warden), Mr. F. Ward (Army Cadet Force), and Fireman H. Lightley (N.F.S.).