Page 503 - Reading Mercury

A LINK WITH WOKINGHAM OF THE PAST
Another link with the life of old Wokingham was severed on Easter Sunday by the
death at a nursing home of Mrs. Elizabeth Harriet Basnett, widow of Thomas Basnett,
who died in 1892. She was the third daughter of the late John Lamplow Roberts, who
resided at one time at Montague House, Broad Street, Wokingham, a well-known and
much respected county and civic magnate. Mrs. Basnett had reached the advanced age
of 83 years. The funeral took place at All saints’, Wokingham, the Rev. B. Long, the
rector, officiating. The mourners were the two daughters, while others present
included (list of names etc.)
th
Sat. 29 May
ANOTHER WHITE LINE WANTED?
On Sunday afternoon, a blue Renault car, belonging to Captain Mancet Jules of
“Firwood,” Camberley, and being driven by M. D’Eapery, Instructor at the R.M.C.,
Sandhurst, came into collision at the entrance of Milton Road, with a Ford car, owned
by Mr. C. Wise, of 20, New Street, Henley, and driven by Mr. W. Berry, 76,
Northfield Road, Henley. The five occupants of the Ford, including the driver were
thrown into the road. Captain Jules’ car was also considerably damaged in the front,
and a child passenger in it sustained severe bruises on the face.
The question has been raised as to the necessity for a white line indication on this
spot, as at Peach Street, Station Road, and elsewhere in the town.

BRITISH LEGION AND THE STRIKE
On Friday evening last week the local branch of the British Legion held a meeting at
the headquarters in Station Road, convened by rumours as to alleged expressions of
disloyalty by some of its members during the recent crisis. The chairman, Admiral
J.B. Eustace, J.P., said that when faced by the stern realities of life one pushed aside
the wild talk of extremists on both sides. They needed no Bolshies, Fascists, Ku Klux
Klan or any other secret society to rule and govern England. Ex-service men of every
shade of political opinion had played their part in the general strike to obtain and
maintain the daily bread in their homes. They said thank God the sailors, soldiers,
airmen and police forces did their duty and were “true to their salt.” They were deeply
grateful also to the volunteers, who saw to it that all should be fed-strikers as well as
others. Trade unions, employers-all were under the laws of the land, and under the
British constitution there was even justice for all. He urged them as members of the
British Legion to carry out their headquarters orders namely: to help the state in the
preservation of law and order, and in protecting the lives and property of their fellow
countrymen from all aggression. He felt sure they had all tried to do that and in no
way to bring discredit to their comrades of the Wokingham branch of the British
Legion.
After a short discussion, initiated by General Wilkinson, the hon. secretary said he
had not personally heard any rumour nor had the name of any member been given
him, but he considered the matter should be disposed of by the branch. He submitted a
resolution “that the members of the Wokingham branch of the British Legion reaffirm
its pledge of loyalty to their King and country. Mr. F.A. Street seconded, and the
resolution was carried unanimously.

th
Sat 12 June
HOSPITAL COLLECTION

501