Page 486 - Reading Mercury

War Memorial Hall
As a thank-offering to God for the safe return of their son from the war, Mr. and
Mrs. Howard Palmer made a generous gift of a war memorial hall to the parish of St.
Sebastian’s, Wokingham. Erected according to the design of Mr. S. Phillips Dale,
F.S.A. the hall is a very picturesque structure, consisting of a main hall, with a well-
appointed stage, with a moveable partition to divide the hall into two sections should
the occasion arise. A finely equipped billiard room adjoins the main hall. This whole
building was substantially and comfortably furnished by Mr. and Mrs. Howard
Palmer. A memorial window bears an inscription and the names of the fallen of the
parish. Mr. Reginald H.R. Palmer served in the Grenadier Guards during the war, and
was awarded the M.C.
The Funeral
Extreme simplicity was the keynote of the funeral service which took place at St.
Sebastian’s Church, near Wokingham, on Tuesday, when the mortal remains of Mr.
Palmer were laid to rest in a moss and primrose-lined grave in the peaceful
churchyard of the little village church on the outskirts of the old Windsor Forest.
The coffin upon which rested three beautiful wreaths, was drawn, upon a bier by
four of the oldest employees of the Heathlands Estate through the private walk to the
church. Behind it walked the two nearest relatives.
(Funeral details)

Sat 21st April
WOKINGHAM WAR MEMORIAL
NEW CLINIC BUILDING OPENING
Sacrifice is the keynote of the building, for its acquisition was made possible not
only by large subscriptions from residents in the district, but by a large number of
smaller amounts, whilst the work of adapting the hall for its purpose was carried out
by men of the town who, after completing their day’s work, gave their leisure hours to
the completing of the alterations required. The majority of the fittings to the interior of
the building were the gifts of the tradesmen in the neighbourhood.
The building which is situated in Denmark Street, comprises of two large halls, one
of which is fitted as an examination and reception room, and several smaller rooms. A
tablet affixed to the front of the building bears the inscription:--

The Wokingham Memorial Clinic

The people of Wokingham have given
This building to be used as an Orthopaedic
Clinic in memory of the men who gave
their lives for their country in the Great
War of 1914-1918, and in thankfulness
To Almighty God for those who came
Back in safety, confident that the memory
Of their service and sacrifice can best be
Honoured in the fight against disease and
deformity

The Opening Ceremony
A large number of people assembled outside the building for the opening ceremony,
members of the local detachment of the V.A.D., who assisted in the local hospitals

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