A historic piece of artwork dating back to 1945 has been given to Douglas Council.

It is an illuminated address by Manx artist John H Nicholson recognising the ’associations and friendships’ formed between the town and the officers and men of the training facility HMS St George during the war years of 1939 to 1945.

John Galt, a former cadet of the Douglas shore establishment, gave the piece of work to the council.

The illuminated address was first presented to the company of HMS St George on December 14, 1945, by the then Mayor of Douglas Thomas C Cowin.

The closing words of the tribute to the ship’s company read: ’â?¦the council have been greatly honoured by their presence in the borough.’

To mark the 75th anniversary of the presentation Mr Galt, who bought the artwork, painted in watercolour and depicting the Tower of Refuge, 30 years ago from a firm in London, presented it to the current Mayor of Douglas, Jon Joughin.

Mr Galt, now aged 97, joined the Navy in March 1940 and went on to work for Isle of Man Post Office until his retirement.

HMS St George opened in September 1939 and closed in December 1945.

The facility was divided into various component parts, classroom training taking place at the newly opened Ballakermeen High School with the cadets billeted at Cunningham’s holiday camp which had been requisitioned for the duration of the war and had served as a prisoner of war camp during the First World War.