Page 367 - Reading Mercury

protesting against the action of the Council with regard to the tender for oil used in the
lighting of the town lamps.

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THE 1 WOKINGHAM COMPANY BOYS’ BRIGADE
A meeting in connection with this Brigade was held in the Town Hall, Wokingham,
on Monday evening, by kind permission of the Mayor (Mr. T. Heelas). Amongst those
present were the Rev. J.T. Brown, Rural Dean and President of the Brigade, in the
chair, the Mayor, Alderman D.N. Heron, Councillor Binnie, Mr. C.S.S. Brown, Mr.
W. J. Gotelee, Capt. Penton Thompson, R.A. &c. The company included several
ladies.
Capt. The Rev. E.C. Leslie gave some account of the Brigade and its work. He said
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the company was inaugurated in the Terrace Room on August 10 , 1891, at a meeting
for boys only, when the object of the Brigade was explained and 80 recruits joined. In
accordance with the rules six preliminary drills were held. The numbers soon
increased, and reached on the occasion of the sixth drill 84. Application was then
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made to headquarters to enrol the company, and on the 14 the company was duly
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enrolled as the 1 Wokingham. An annual subscription of 1s. per boy had the effect of
reducing the company to more manageable proportions. Its full strength was 50. The
numbers at present were 44, and there were nine recruits under instruction. Caps and
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belts were served out on November 2 , and the company was soon able to appear in
public. Its progress had been very marked during the present year, and Capt. J.H.
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Cooper, of the 1 V.B. Royal Berks Regiment, who kindly acted as inspecting officer
in June, expressed himself highly pleased with the drill, discipline and appearance of
the boys when on parade. This excellent result was due to the careful teaching of the
Instructor, Mr. James McEwan, who has taken a deep interest in the movement from
its commencement. Officers and boys united in regretting that he no longer resided in
Wokingham, but would be glad to know that he still retains his connection with the
company as Lieutenant. They were fortunate in having secured a capital successor in
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Mr. H. Harvey, Col-Sergt. Of 1 V.B. Royal Berks Regiment, L Company. The
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present officers of the 1 Wokingham Boys’ Brigade were—President, Rev. J.T.
Brown; Captain, Rev. E.C. Leslie; Lieutenant, Capt Penton Thompson, R.A.; Messrs
E.D. Heelas, J. McEwan, and H. Harvey.
The objects of the Brigade were the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom amongst
boys and the promotion of habits of reverence and discipline, self-respect, and all
which tends towards true Christian manliness. Opportunities had not been lost of
imparting good advice, and there had been several church parades at St. Paul’s
Church, and one at All Saints’ in conjunction with the Volunteers. Valuable
instruction had been given in a selected class in the shape of lectures on “First Aid to
the Wounded,” by Mr. Ernest Ward, M.R.C.S., who hoped that his pupils would
shortly be fir for examination and obtain the privilege of wearing the badges of the St.
John Ambulance Association. The friends of the Brigade were many, and the
company had paraded at the Beeches, St. Paul’s Rectory, and Matthew’s Green by
invitation. There had been several interesting gatherings during the past season,
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including an entertainment by conjuring, &c., by Professor Besoni, on February 9 ,
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an entertainment at the Town Hall on March 1 , when a select squad performed some
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musical drills, and on September 1 an excursion in a steam launch to Cookham. The
kindness of their many friends reached its climax at the Grand Jumble Sale held in the
grounds of the Holt (by kind permission of the Mayor of Reading), when, owing to
the indefatigable exertions of Mrs. Gotelee, a large staff of ladies, the sum of £45 was

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