Page 459 - Reading Mercury

Butler), ration tea (Miss Cooper). Mrs. Murdoch who was accompanied by the Mayor
and Mayoress declared the sale open.
During the afternoon goods were put up for auction by wounded soldiers, and made
good prices. The admission receipts were even better than last year. The result was
£215 6s. 8½, which exceeds the total of any former year.

WOKINGHAM AND THE ARMISTICE
The prolonged blast of the hooter at the Saw Mills intimated to the neighbourhood
that the armistice had been signed. Flags appeared at windows immediately and soon
the town was ablaze with bunting and streamers were hung across the streets. The
trains as they passed kept up a ceaseless whistling, while from Reading and all round
hooters and whistles could be heard. People crowded the streets, children and parents
bearing flags and wearing the national colours.
The Mayor a little later announced the fact from the balcony of the Town Hall and
the news was posted on the doors. The National Anthem was sung. Thanksgiving
services were held in all the churches. Albeit a dull day with drizzling rain, the crowds
filled the streets.
A body of Canadian convalescent soldiers with drums and bugles and flags marched
to St. Paul’s Church and joined in the thanksgiving services held there at four o’clock.
Proceeding later into the town they were greeted with much enthusiasm, and the
Mayor addressed them from the balcony of the Town Hall. He expressed appreciation
of their bravery and assisting in winning the war, and satisfaction at its happy
conclusion. Significant of the changed conditions was the fact that on Tuesday the
Borough workmen were replacing the shaded street lanterns with the ordinary kind of
clear glass.
French and Belgian residents were especially delighted, and throughout the day at
the Convent, Easthampstead Road the “Marseillaise” was sung and cheering indulged
in.

W T Martin appointed Deputy Mayor
The following were elected:
C. Sparkes Sgt at Mace
J Taylor Town Crier
Honorary Constables: A J Rodgers, E Jefferies, N W Turner and W H Wilson.

1919

th
Sat 8 March
The Town Hall accepted the portrait of Alderman Wescott from his widow.

th
Sat 5 April
At a meeting of the town council held on Thursday the General Purposes Committee
reported the receipt of a communication from the authorities offering a German
howitzer as a war trophy for the town.

th
Sat 24 May
Mr Cathrow Martin has recently been admitted a Freeman of the City of London

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