Page 399 - Reading Mercury

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leaves one son, who now commands the 7 Hussars at Krugersdorp, and three
daughters. Sir Edward lived for some years at Tangley, Wokingham.
Captain Walter’s connection with the Army had impressed on him the disadvantage
under which discharged soldiers laboured in obtaining civil employment after
completing their period of service, and he determined to form a society which should
assist deserving soldiers. With that end in view he established in 1859 what
afterwards developed into the Corps of Commissionaires, of which he became the first
commanding officer. Beginning with but eight men—of whom only one now
survives—the numbers gradually increased, and hundreds of thousands of men who
otherwise have been nearly destitute or absolutely in need have been able as members
of the corps to obtain a respectable living.
The strength of the corps at the last annual meeting and inspection was 2,828, 1,818
of whom were comprised in the London division. He continued to be commanding
officer of the Corps to the date of his death. It is pleasant to remember that in 1884 the
Duke of Cambridge, the then Commander-in-Chief, presided at a great meeting of
naval and military officers at the United Service Institution, when a silver service
subscribed for by some 600 officers was presented to him, and further that his work
and merits were recognised by Queen Victoria, who conferred a knighthood upon him
in 1885, and at the time of her Jubilee in 1887, created him a K.C.B.
A tribute even more personally gratifying was bestowed on him by the men of the
Corps, who subscribed to a portrait of him painted by Mrs. Way for presentation to
Lady Walter.
Sir Edward Walter’s nephew, Major F.E. Walter, who has long been associated with
him in his work, and is now acting commanding officer of the Corps of
Commissionaires, has addressed to the corps a letter announcing the death of its
founder, giving a sketch of his labours in its interest, and concluding: “He is gone, and
it now remains for those to whom are committed the interests of the great institution
which he founded to see that the principles on which its organisation is based are
strictly observed, and for all its members to prove themselves in the future, as they
have done in the past, worthy representatives of the noble professions in which they
have served.”

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Sat 9 April
At the Wokingham Town Hall on Thursday morning an enquiry was held by col. W.
Langton Coke, an inspector of the Local Government Board with reference to the
application of the Town Council for powers to borrow £1,500 for the purchase of the
Berkshire County interest in the Municipal buildings at Wokingham and £350 for the
purchase of the borough stores, which are at present on lease. There was no
opposition for the application.

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Sat 30 April
ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH
Rev. Bertram Long accepted the rectory of Wokingham.

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Sat 11 June
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH
For a long time the weather-cock on the spire of St. Paul’s Church has become fixed
and the rod bent. During this week steeplejacks have carried out the necessary repairs,
their movements being keenly watched by the inhabitants.

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