Page 461 - Reading Mercury

The Mayor then said, “Officers and men from the Navy, Army and the Air Force, it
is my privilege as Mayor and speaking for all the people of Wokingham to bid you all
welcome here today and to render to you our unstinted thanks for all you have done,
all you have suffered and all you have gone through in these last few years. We
rejoice that it is at last possible for us to meet so many of you after all the hardships
you have gone through, since that day in which each one of you took his part in the
magnificent response which you made to your country’s call in its hour of need.
Some of you have been in the navy or army since the beginning of the war. Some of
you were in that first army that went to Belgium—an army which I have heard has
been called ‘a contemptible little army’: small it certainly was, but there is not a man
in the world today, least of all in Germany, who would venture to call it contemptible.
Others of you who took part, leaving all in that mighty rush of men which changed
the British Army from being reckoned in thousands to being reckoned in by millions.
You, who have been through it, know what the sacrifices have been. You know even
how thin a line, once and again, there was that there was all there was left to withstand
the German onrush. You know, too, how indispensable it was that H M Navy should
keep a ceaseless and sleepless watch throughout all the time.
What would our position have been today if that thin line had given way or that
ceaseless watch failed for one hour? What sort of peace should we have had today?
What would have been our condition? Some of you have been in France and Belgium
and you know and can answer that question. But that ceaseless watch was maintained
till the last hour and that this line never broke, and when today we are celebrating
peace, it is that great and glorious victory, brought about in the providence of God
through the valour of the sailors, soldiers and airmen of the British Empire. But in the
midst of our rejoicings let us not forget the sacrifices that have been made. Let us not
forget that there are some hearts in the Empire today because of those, who, to gain
that victory and to win this peace laid down their lives and their names live for ever
more. And when we have celebrated this peace today, which we hope will soon
spread the world over, let us all stand united as we have done in those dreadful days
of war in the last five years, and each in his own part, do whatsoever in him lies, to
promote the common good and to bring back with peace prosperity to our native land
build up a greater, more honourable and a more powerful Britain than the world had
ever known before so that the victories of peace will be no less worthy of celebration
than the victories of war. And now we ask you to accept our hospitality and
entertainment and we hope that for you and to all of us it may be a happy and a
memorable day.” (applause).
“Land of Hope and Glory” was then sung, the sole being taken in unison by some
20 choirboys, the assembly led by the band joining in the chorus. Miss Edna Martin
presented a lovely bouquet to the Mayoress. The Rev. B Long called for “three cheers
for the boys,” which were heartily given also “three more for their wives.”

THE MEN ENTERTAINED.
Headed by the town band the procession then marched via Denmark Street and
Langborough Road, both well decorated, to Langborough Recreation Ground, near the
entrance to which was a festoon of flags with the words “We thank you all who have
saved our land.” A line of 16 tables had been prepared on the promenade under the
trees across the ground and were very prettily decorated with flowers, etc. The
Mayor’s table stood next the entrance, presided over by the Mayoress, assisted by
Mrs. Hammond and Miss Powell. The remaining tables were in the charge of:
Mesdames Martin and Bolton (plus many other names) and a large staff of helpers.

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