Page 493 - Reading Mercury

the memorial tablet. Where all could see the names of those they loved, upon the roll
of honour. Mr. Sale on whose shoulders rested much of the organisation, would make
a statement on the subject.
The History of the Memorial
Mr. Sale said it was a source of great satisfaction to him that he was allowed to take
part in the ceremony to bring to completion the project which he had much at heart.
He would always have some little pride in bearing a part in helping to bring it to a
successful conclusion. There was almost an apology due for the lateness of the date on
which the memorial was to be unveiled. They were now in the tenth year since the
commencement of the Great War, and it was almost six years since the Armistice. The
explanation was that when their late honoured and revered Mayor, Mr. H.C. Mylne,
whose labours throughout the war undoubtedly shortened his days, called a public
meeting to consider what form the memorial should take, counsels were divided.
Some said “Let us have nothing but a monumental memorial”; others said “Let us
have something is of practical utility to the living.” That resulted in the delay of the
whole scheme, and meanwhile other memorials were started and carried out.
Memorial were erected in the Parish Church, St. Paul’s, the Baptist and Wesleyan
Churches and the Drill Hall. There should, however, be some memorial for the men of
Wokingham as such, belonging to no section or no one body, but belonging to them
all—men of Wokingham. Consequently in 1921 they began again, and this time plans
were decided upon. The work of the Orthopaedic Clinic had been started, and had
appealed to the imaginations of the people of Wokingham and to their hearts in a
manner surpassed in regard to no other object. The ideal, the cure of affliction and
turning helpless cripples into useful members of society appealed to everyone, and
consequently it was decided to raise a fund to purchase a present to the Clinic a
building in which that work could be carried on, and at the same time to erect a
memorial to those who fell in the war. Notwithstanding the four or five other
memorials which had been carried out, the response to their appeal was, on the whole,
good. They had a total amount given in subscriptions of £567, subscriptions varying
from £50 down to 1d. but probably those small sums entailed an equality of sacrifice
with the larger amounts. So the Clinic building was purchased at a cost of £425 and
handed over to the Clinic Committee and the work was being successfully carried out.
Then they all set about the present memorial, which, he thought they would agree was
a worthy specimen of the craftsmanship of Wokingham men. The money collected
was sufficient, and they had a small balance in hand. Willingly, if they could, would
they have included the name of every one who gave his services, but space would not
allow. They hoped that when future generations read the inscription on the Clinic
building and looked at the list of names it would inspire them with a passion for
service and sacrifice. If that was not the effect then their efforts would have been in
vain. The only hope for the future was that they would, as members of one body be
willing to serve not only for their own good, but for the good of the whole
community.
The Mayor, introducing Sir Doveton Sturdee, said the distinguished officer who had
honoured them with his presence that day had held many high positions by his ability,
and had done great service during the war.

th
Sat 8 March
BANK MANAGER RETIRES
Mr. Robert McEwan, the well-known and respected manager of the London and
Westminster Bank’s branch at Broad Street, Wokingham retired on Friday last week

491