AN ARMED forces organisation aims to launch a permanent reminder of the fighting ship adopted by Llangollen during the Second World War.

HMS Dianella, K07, forged a strong link with the town during Warship Week in November 1941 when residents raised a huge £33,000 towards the cost of the ship.

And to mark the occasion Llangollen branch of the Royal Naval Association is launching an appeal to raise the money to buy a painting of her in action.

The painting depicts HMS Dianella on duty in the North Atlantic, leaving a convoy to investigate a reported U-Boat sighting.

The aim of the branch is to hold a Sea Saturday sometime next spring, which will include a service of thanksgiving followed by the presentation of the painting to the town mayor in the hope that it will hang in the Town Hall in between the plaque presented to the town by the Admiralty and the plaque which, in turn, the town presented to the ship.

This was returned to Llangollen after the war when Dianella was broken up.
The appeal will be launched at the town hall by the mayor, Cllr Mike Pugh, next Wednesday at 11.30am.

Branch spokesman John Lawton said: “We are not glorifying war, nor are we revelling in too much nostalgia.

“Our aim is to keep the memory of the ship alive along with the terrific effort of the people of Llangollen who raised such a fantastic sum to help their country in her time of need.

“Neither will the appeal and ceremony be Navy only as we want to involve the local schools, by asking them to paint pictures of the ship, write poetry and become fully involved with the project.

“I have received promises from ex-crew members and their families to attend.”