Page 516 - Reading Mercury

of the kindly spirit animating the inhabitants towards the soldiers. The unusual
spectacle of the billeted troops drew large crowds of residents into the Market Place,
where field cookers, orderly room, guard, Q. M. S.’s stores and other military
establishments were to be seen in every-day operation. Officers on Sunday were
quartered in the Wokingham Club, and on Monday “The Bush” was occupied by the
General in command and his staff.
On Monday evening a thrilling and (for Wokingham) unusual spectacle was
provided when the drums, fifes and bugles of the Dorset Regiment beat “The Retreat”
in Broad Street. This fine, spacious thoroughfare in the centre of the town was closed
at each end by Supt. Goddard, and kept by military police, providing an admirable
parade ground. The band marched and counter-marched with full military display and
with the most impressive effect concluding with the National Anthem, followed by
the salute.
The sounding of the “Reveille” at 5.34 a.m. and of the “Last post” at 10 p .m. daily
added to the military aspect of the town.
The martial sights and bands (especially the music of the bands) were followed with
delight by the whole population.
The town’s war memorial, the Clinic, in Denmark Street, was placed at the disposal
of the military, and was used as a route station each day.

th
Sat 8 Oct
THE EXTENDED BOROUGH
The sight of the Union Jack, in company with the municipal flag, flying mast high
from the Town Hall buildings on Saturday morning indicated that the Borough of
Wokingham had attained de facto its extension. The “appointed day” under the
provisional order had arrived, and Wokingham had annexed five times its then area,
and an increase of 59 per cent in population. The amenities of urban life will be
ensured, at first in the added area by means of a vacuum tank until drainage schemes
shall be completed. Candidates for the ten vacancies to be filled on the enlarged
Council are doubtless busily employed upon their election addresses. The day of the
th
nd
nomination will probably be the 22 or 24 next, with polling (if necessary) as usual
st
on November 1 .

Sat 12 Nov
VICTORIA COUNTY HISTORY
The Victoria County History books were completed.
FIRE BRIGADE, NEW OFFICERS
At a recent meeting of the Wokingham Fire Brigade Captain Weston B. Martin
(with 37 years’ service) was elected Captain, vice captain Caiger deceased, and
engineer F. Knight (32½ years’ service) was appointed in each case unanimously.
Firemen H.J. Painter and E.P. Osmond were appointed to be engineers.

TOWN HALL
Elected: Honorary Constables: E. Jeffrey, W.J. Pearce, and H. Dyer. Town Crier: H.
Banks. Sergt.-at-Mace: C. Sparkes.

rd
Sat 3 Dec
WOKINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL
GIFT OF OLD DOCUMENT

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