Page 442 - Reading Mercury

MILITARY
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On Friday afternoon the 75 Brigade of the 25 Division, consisting of the South
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Wales Borderers, South Lancashires, and 10 and 11 Cheshires, marched into the
town to the number of upwards of 4,000, from Basingstoke, some of the men
proceeding to Billingbear and Bear Wood. After church parade on Sunday General
Woodward, Brigadier Commandant of the Brigade, inspected the Cheshires in Broad
Street. Full use was made of the Soldiers’ Club (Montague House), the Drill Hall, and
other rooms provided for the benefit of the men. Changing the guard was carried out
in full military style at the Town Hall, where defaulters were confined, and this was
witnessed each evening by a large gathering of townspeople. The troops left for
Aldershot on Wednesday morning, after a much shorter stay than was anticipated.

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Sat 19 June
CLEVER FLYING
Great interest was shown in the clever flying of a pilot in an army biplane on
Saturday who went through a magnificent series of evolutions over the Town Hall and
Police-station. The same airman was again in evidence on Tuesday afternoon and his
flying was keenly watched by a large number of people. Rumour has it that the airman
was Pilot Bishop, son of Mr. Bishop, formerly steward at Bear Wood Farm.

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Saturday 26 June
On Tuesday the Fire Brigade received a call to a Heath Fire at Crowthorne. Within a
few minutes of the alarm the firemen were off in the new motor fire engine, and were
soon at the scene of the outbreak which they were able to cope with successfully.

Sat 3rd July
RECRUITING MARCH AT WOKINGHAM
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On Monday the town was visited by a detachment of the 4 and 9 Battalions
Royal Berkshire Regiment under the command of Major Tennyson D’Eyncourt. They
were met at the borough boundary, Easthampstead Road, by Major Denis de Vitre
(local recruiting officer) and the Mayor of Wokingham (Alderman H.C. Mylne)
accompanied by the Town Clerk (Mr. Clifton) and the sergeant-at-mace. The party
then marched to the Drill Hall, headed by their band playing martial airs. The officers
and men were then entertained to tea, the arrangements being under the
superintendence of the Deputy Mayor (Mr. Councillor Martin) assisted by the
following ladies: Miss Simmons, Mrs. Stephenson Barry, Miss Beaumont, and others.
After tea the Mayor gave a short address of welcome to the troops. The Deputy-
Mayor also spoke, and called for three cheers for the ladies who had assisted in the
arrangements, which were heartily given. Major D’Eyncourt then asked for three
cheers for Mayor
In the evening the detachment paraded the town headed by their band, concluding
their march at the Market Place, where a large number of people were assembled. A
big motor lorry was also there, in which were the Mayor of Wokingham, Mr.
Councillor Sale, the Rev. B. Long, Major Denis de Vitre, Major D’Eyncourt, and Mr.
Bryan O’Donnell, M.A. The Mayor introduced the speakers. Capital addresses were
given by Major D’Eyncourt, Mr. O’Donnell M.A. (Parliamentary Recruiting
Committee), and Lieutenant Thompson. The rector (the Rev. B. Long) said that he felt
sure all those who were soon going back to the front again would go back much more
heartily if they thought everyone in England who could go was following them out.
He thanked the speakers for coming and addressed the people. Mr. Councillor Sale

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