A KEIGHLEY company of the Girls’ Training Corps was formed in 1942.

Sponsored by a Youth Council, this was intended for “the masses of girls who have not shared in the life of the community since they left school at the age of fourteen”, and claimed to promote an “all-pervading ideal of preparing the girls for the duties of Christian citizenship”.

At a time when young women were liable for conscription into the armed forces or war work, there was an emphasis on pre-service training. Their first anniversary in 1943 was marked by a route march through town, followed by drill displays.

This contingent from the Girls’ Training Corps, standing at ease in the Town Hall Square, provided a guard of honour when the Princess Royal visited Keighley’s Wings for Victory Week in 1943. Notice the press photographer hugging his large camera in the foreground.