Page 435 - Reading Mercury

retired with the rank of sergeant. He was, for about 20 years a Sergeant at Mace and
Sidesman at St. Paul’s Church. He had advised his friends of his intention of returning
home.

Sat. 22nd Aug
APPEAL FOR RECRUITS
On Thursday night a meeting was held in the Town Hall, Wokingham, when
Colonel Colebrooke Carter explained the object of Lord Kitchener’s scheme. The
Mayor of Wokingham was in the chair, supported by Lord Haversham, Colonel Jones,
Major Adam, Mr. E.M. Sturges, and Mr. S.A. Hankey.
The Mayor said the meeting was to enable Colonel Carter to give some information
as to the calling up of the extra men.
Colonel Carter said they were engaged in a great conflict and Lord Kitchener had
asked for more men. It was the duty of every man and woman to do all that was
possible to enable him to have a force at his disposal. It was of vital importance to get
a second Army together, drilled and ready to fight. It was arranged that a recruiting
committee should be formed to assist the Recruiting Officer. In Wokingham a sub-
committee would be focussed. It was proposed to have a house-to-house call, and so
find out all those men who were eligible for service. All who were physically fit were
eligible. Men must be between the ages of 19 and 30. Separation allowance would be
made for wives. Lord Kitchener had made up his mind to get a second army together
strong to protect us in all difficulties. It was a way of life and death, and under these
circumstances the nation could not refuse to respond to this appeal. (Applause.)
Lord Haversham said that, thanks to our splendid Navy, the expeditionary force had
been successfully landed to assist our allies. The Territorials and Yeomanry had been
of great assistance to our Regular troops. The Territorial ranks were full, so those who
wished to join Kitchener’s force must be quick about it. Mr. de Vitré had come
forward to take names of recruits at the Drill Hall,
Admiral Eustace referred to Oliver Cromwell’s well-trained body of men, and said
Lord Kitchener wanted to get a body of men together like that. It was the duty of all to
come forward.
Colonel Jones said they were fighting an aristocratic clique of bullies who bullied
their men.
The present was a just war.
Councillor Sale, in proposing a vote of thanks to the speakers, said they lived in a
land of liberty. They were undertaking a gigantic task in the interest of peace. The
Germans were not a liberty people. They were excellent people, and those he had met
did not want to be at war with England but they were not at liberty. The Government
were acting in defence of liberty. He regarded the call to arms as a most sacred call,
and all had, he considered, a certain obligation to obey. He hoped the County of
Berkshire would answer the call.

THE WOKINGHAM PATRIOTIC FUND
In view of the present war crisis, a short account of this local fund should prove
interesting to many, especially to those who subscribed. The latter have a right to
know how the three trustees have carried out their trust during the past thirteen years,
and as I am the only trustee left in the town it is obviously my duty to enlighten both
subscribers and the public on the subject.
The fund was started in October, 1899, by the late Captain Arthur Hill M.P., and a
Committee consisting of the Mayor (Alderman W. White), Rev. R. de Muller Nixon,

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