Knaresborough's hidden treasures of the Second World War to go on display

‘The Second World War and its impact on Knaresborough’ began last week and will run until the summer at Knaresborough Museum Association’s (KMA) new space on York Place.

The new community heritage base will be used for both the exhibition and office space, according to KMA’s chair Kathy Allday, as the group continue to search for a permanent new home for Knaresborough Town Museum.

The exhibition will include first-hand accounts from local residents who lived during the Second World War and a range of historical objects.

Ms Allday said: “We’ve interviewed people who lived in the 30s and 40s, and so many interesting stories came out that we thought it was worth an exhibition.We’ve interviewed nearly 50 people.

“It’s full of little stories and childhood memories of seeing the tanks in High Street. There were Americans and Canadian soldiers all over town. Churchill came to Knaresborough to give the troops a pep talk before D-Day, and three schoolboys skived off school to go see him.”

Going on display will be a model of the British battleship, HMS George V, commissioned in 1940 and made by Knaresborough schoolboy George Moore when he was a 13 year old pupil at the Castle Boys’ School. George’s excellent woodworking skills were acknowledged in a school reference when he left.

Also highlighted is a box brownie camera and set of black and white photographs of Knaresborough’s Women’s Land Army - loaned by Trish Armistead, whose mother Josephine was a land girl.

Ms Allday said: “They are amazing little photographs taken round Knaresborough when the river was frozen and the POW Camp at Scriven Hall.

“These have never been seen before, I find them absolutely fascinating. We’ve got her uniform too, complete with ink stains, it’s very atmospheric.”

Ms Allday continued: “Our team of volunteers will use this base to hold meetings, carry out research for the museum, and welcome members of the public.

“The gallery space is a real asset and allows us to showcase the town’s rich history. It will add value and enjoyment to the town’s visitor attractions.

“We are very grateful to Peter Lacey, director and owner of Whole Systems Partnership, who has generously allowed us to use the ground floor of hisbusiness premises while we continue our search for a permanent home for Knaresborough Town Museum.”