Page 522 - Reading Mercury

long command, and it was a touching moment when the band struck up “Auld Lang
Syne” as “C” and “D” Companies marched off.
It seemed a day of leave-takings, for Major Hughes, who has held every rank from
private to major, is shortly leaving “D” Co. to take over the position of second in
command, and there was nothing staged or rehearsed about the cheers (called for by
Mr. Ford) which greeted him on his dismissing the Company for the last time at the
Drill Hall on Sunday evening.
Throughout camp “D” Co. maintained its usual high standard of efficiency both on
the parade ground and in the field winning the prize for the best-kept mess tent, and a
considerable amount of praise from the brigade commander. The crowds which lined
the streets and station yard on the Company’s return showed the interest taken by the
ancient town of Wokingham in its Territorials, an interest which is greatly
appreciated.
“D” Co. was fortunate in having with it in camp this year C.S.M. Brant who though
on the retired list, has taken a new lease of life and has come back again.

st
Sat 1 Sept
DEATH OF OCTOGENARIAN
Mr. Samuel Smallbone, a resident, passed away on Saturday at the advanced age of
84 years, at No. 27, Denmark Street, the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Weston B.
Martin, captain of the Wokingham Fire Brigade. Mrs. W.B. Martin is the only child of
Mr. Smallbone, who for 25 years was at Pike’s Farm, the Home Farm of the Bill Hill
Estate, under the late Mr. and Mrs. Leveson-Gower. He retired some years back, and
residing in the town was a well-known member of the Wokingham Club, and of St.
Paul’s Church. The funeral took place on Wednesday at St. Paul’s Church, the rector,
the Rev. H.M. Walter, officiating.

th
Sat 8 Sept
FIRE IN DENMARK STREET
At the early hour of 2.20 a.m. on Tuesday, the fire brigade received a call, and with
prompt response were, within five minutes, at work on a fire in a top room of No. 19,
Denmark Street, recently occupied by Mr. Hopkinson, greengrocer, who had moved
out only the previous day. The fire broke out in a top bedroom and had burned
through the floor, and had also, through the ceiling, reached the roof. In about an
hour’s time the fire was extinguished. The first-aid fire appliances carried on the
engine again proved invaluable, the brigade being able to start operations while
connecting the engine up with the hydrants. Some damage by water was done to the
stock on the premises, in addition to the injury by fire to the building.

DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN AUTHORESS
Miss Arabella Maud Hopkinson, a well-known literary lady of repute, died on
Sunday at her residence. “The Glebe,” Rectory Road, Wokingham, at the advanced
age of 85 years. Miss Hopkinson, some years ago, was a well-known and appreciated
authoress, her works including “Sweet Christopher,” “Pardon,” “The Soldier’s
Inheritance,” “Waiting, and others. She was a well-known contributor to “The Church
Times and “Cassell’s.” She had previously resided at West Court, and at Wyse Hill,
Finchampstead, and came to live in Wokingham almost two years ago. She was the
seventh child of the late Mr. Charles and Mrs. Hopkinson, of Eccleston Square,

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