In the summer of 1943, North Ayrshire set out the ambitious target to raise £1m for the war effort.

Largs was expected to raise £40,000, but managed the incredible figure of £79,000.

A stirring and impressive scene was witnessed at Barrfields Sports Ground on the evening of Friday 11 June where the parade was marshalled for the march past which included naval, military, Air Force, auxiliary services, Civil Defence units, fire guards, and all the uniformed organisations including Boys Brigade, Scouts, Girls Guides, Girls Training Corps.

The flags of all the allied nations fluttered in the breeze, with music provided by The Royal Marine Band and buglers, and a formation of aeroplanes circled overhead.

The Scottish Aviation exhibit of a Catalina, which was on full view at Barrfields, was a great attraction for all ages.

* Many of the much-loved paddle steamers which carried holidaymakers down the Clyde were also called up for service in WW2.

They were converted into warships, with camouflage and guns, and even some of the names of the ships were changed.

Five of them would not be returning to their former role, reported the 'News' - HMS Mercury was sunk while mine-sweeping off the Irish coast on Christmas Day, 1940; the Juno, re-named the Helvellyn for her war-time job, was sunk in the Thames during the London blitz, the HMS Marmion went down on Harwich; The HMS Kylemore, the veteran of the group, had been sunk, and the HMS Waverley came to a heroic end whilst playing her part in the evacuation from Dunkirk.

The Duchess of Rothesay, Eagle III and Duchess of Fife 'survived to share the glory of the occasion'. In the early days of the war, some of the paddlers were converted into minesweepers.