Warship Weeks
Durham adopts HMS Witherington
Warships Week 7 February 1942
Between October 1941 and the end of
March 1942, Warships Weeks were organised in cities, towns and villages
throughout Great Britain. The intention was to raise a sum by
investment or deposit in all types of war savings representing the cost
of building one of His Majesty’s ships ranging from the smallest to the
largest vessels. Once the target had been raised the community adopted
the vessel along with its crew and the bond was strengthened by
presentations in recognition of the money raised. Adoption plaques were
presented by the Admiralty to the community and a plaque presented by
the community to the adopted vessel. Links were maintained by the
writing of letters and the provision of comforts and whenever possible
visits were arranged to the adopting area.
Most of the V&W Class
destroyers in commission with the Royal Navy were adopted during the
Warship Week scheme and in a number of cases local sea cadet units
later took the name of the ship. To
find more about Warship Weeks see Peter Schofield’s article on ‘National Savings and Warship Weeks’.
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Durham City from Pelaw Wood
This picture was taken four years ago, since then a landslide has destroyed the forground trees that form the frame
Copyright Melvyn Harland
Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette
Thursday, 29 January 1942
Telegrams from the First
Lord of the Admiralty and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, wishing
success to Durham City’s Warship Week, which begins on Saturday have
been received by the Mayor. The city will have the support of the
Durham rural district and the Brandon urban district in their bid to
raise £210,000 in order to adopt the destroyer, HMS Witherington.
Sending his best wishes Mr. A.V Alexander telegraphs ‘The enemy
threatens our command of the seas from a coastline stretching from
Narvik to the Pyrenees, at the same time as part of our fleet has to
remain in the Mediterranean. The officer and men of the Royal
Navy deserve and must have as much of the finest equipment we can give
them. ‘That is why I want every ship and every weapon I can
get. This means we need money to buy them. We ask you to
lend your money and lend to the limit of your resources. Whatever
you have first though of, I want you to double or treble the figure.
Monday, 2 February 1942
£210,000 Target Opening of Durham Warship Week
Units of all the fighting services
and Civil Defence, contingents of Home Guard, A.T.C., and other youth
organizations, took part in a gigantic parade on Saturday at the
opening of Durham City and district Warship Week. Lord Londonderry
(Lord Lieutenant of the County) took the salute in the Market Square.
The Mayor of Durham (Coun. H. L. Gradon) announced that already £8O,OOO
had been raised towards the target figure of £210,000. War Savings in
Durham City since the outbreak of war had exceeded one million pounds.
Lord Londonderry said: This is not a time for us to sit back. Put your
hands in your pockets and lend to the Government money with which to
provide for a destroyer, which is the aim of this Warship Week. That
the British Empire exists,” said Lord Londonderry, is due entirely to
the British Navy, which has stood between us and defeat and disaster in
the past, and which now stands between us and all those dreadful things
threatened by Hitler and the Nazis.” There were a good many people
making more money now than ever before. He hoped they would go on doing
so, but he wanted them not to feel that because they had money in their
pockets they must spend it. “Let us not get into a complacent state of
mind and think that the successes of which we hear are going to win the
war for us. That we shall win I have no shadow of doubt, but remember
we can lose this war if we are not prepared to play our part and do our
level best.” Mr E. J. B. Gatenby. Regional Commissioner for National
Savings, hoped the sturdy community of Durham and district would set
glorious example to the rest of the country by action rather than
words. Mr J. Ritson. M.P., strengthened this appeal by declaring,
Without money there is no victory, and without victory there is no
money.”
Friday 13 February 1942
Warship Efforts for Warship Week
Sherbum raised £3,620, including
£78O raised by Sherbum Women’s Institute Savings Group. Pittington
Parish contributed £3,002 10s, and this included a £53 12s 8d free gift
effort.
Newcastle Journal
Friday 13 February 1942
The voluntary staff of the ARP at West
Rainton have raised £40 for the Durham and District Warship Week.
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The bell of HMS Witherington
was presented to the City of Durham by Lt Cdr M.H.H. Crichton RN, her
Commanding Officer, and hangs in the Mayor's Chamber at the Town Hall
It can be seen on request between 10 am and 3 pm on Saturdays
Photographs courtesy of Durham County Council
