Page 492 - Reading Mercury

the services of the fire brigade were requisitioned to quell a minor outbreak at Mr.
Denton’s private residence.

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Sat 9 Feb
A LIBRARY PROPOSAL
The Mayor reported that a sub-committee had met Mr. Cooper, the County
Librarian, and discussed the proposed scheme for opening a branch of the County
Council’s library in Wokingham, it being suggested that the Bank Room should be
used for the purpose. This report was adopted.

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Sat 16 Feb
WOKINGHAM WAR MEMORIAL
“Lest We Forget”
SIR DOVETON STURDEE’S SPEECH
In clear black lettering and enclosed in panelling of oak are inscribed the names of
the men of Wokingham who, in response to the call of humanity, fought and died. No
ranks or corps are recorded, for in the magnitude of their sacrifice all were equal, and
the list, two hundred and seventeen in all, is striking testimony of the part played by
the Borough of Wokingham in the greatest war in history. The unveiling of the
memorial tablet on Sunday afternoon marks the completion of the town’s memorial
scheme which included the acquisition and converting of a building in Denmark
Street for the use of the Wokingham Orthopaedic Clinic and, despite the delay and the
many suggestions considered, the project has received general approbation in that not
only does it fittingly perpetuate the memory of the fallen, but serves also the living.
The memorial tablet is erected in the annexe of the Town Hall and is carried out in
handsomely carved oak, the emblem of the sword of sacrifice being inlaid on either
side. It bears the inscription:--
IN GLORIOUS MEMORY.
1914-1919.
To the honour of the men of Wokingham, who gave their lives in the Great War. The
Orthopaedic Clinic Buildings in Denmark Street were also acquired by the town as a
grateful tribute to their gallant memory, and to the untiring devotion of Henry Charles
Mylne, Mayor
1913-19. Died October 21, 1919
The names are inscribed in black ornate lettering on white panels. The memorial
was designed by Mr. Vincent Craig.
The unveiling ceremony was performed by Admiral of the Fleet, Sir F.C. Doveton
Sturdee, Bart., G.C.B., K.C.M.G., who was the commander in the famous action off
the Falkland Isles, 1914, and received his K.C. M.G. for the Battle of Jutland Bay.
Seats were reserved for the relatives of the fallen, of whom there was a large
number present. Admiral Sturdee was accompanied by Lady Sturdee, and there were
at the hall the Rev. H.W. Blackburne, D.S.O., M.C. (assistant chaplain general during
the war), Lady Cayley, the Mayor of Wokingham (Admiral J.B. Eustace), the Rev. B.
Long, the Rev. Martin Harvey, Aldermen M. Blake and P. Sale. Councillors F.E.
Chapman, G.M.E. Fryer, J.G. Jefferies, W.J. Cheeseman, A.E. Priest, F.J. Barratt,
E.W. Reeves and W.S. Medcalfe, Mr. J.H. Elliston Clifton (Town Clerk) and Mr.
C.W. Marks (Borough Surveyor).
The Mayor stated that they were gathered there to pay their tribute of respect to
those gallant men who gave their lives for their King and Empire during the Great
War. The Town Council had given the best position on the walls of the Town Hall for

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