Page 538 - Reading Mercury

Officials for the coming year were elected as follows: Chairman; Mr. R. Millson;
hon. treasurer, Mr. A. Harrison; hon. secretary, Mr. F. Avery; assistant hon. secretary,
Mr. H. C. Lewis; collector, Mr- L. Wicks; librarian, Mr. W. Brown; committee,
Messrs. F. Woods, E. Culley, W. House and L. Wicks; assistant bandmaster, Mr. R.
Millson.
The Mayor made an interesting presentation to Mr. P. Hewett in the shape of a
silver-plated cornet in case, given by Messrs. Boosey and Co., the well-known
musical instrument makers. Mr. Hewett lost one foot as the result of an accident, and
will now be obliged under medical advice to have the other amputated. On Messrs.
Boosey being made aware of this fact they immediately made Mr. Hewett a present of
the cornet he was playing in the band, in the hope that, it would be a means of
assisting him in the future. The hon. secretary was instructed to write and thank
Messrs. Boosey on behalf of the Mayor, Mr. Hewett and the members.
It was decided that the band should make a determined attempt to compete at the
Crystal Palace. Votes of thanks were accorded the officers for their services.
It may be noted that the band have given their services during –tee past year as
follows: To tee_ hospital committees of Wokingham and Binfield at their parades; the
British Legion banner dedication service; Wokingham v. Pinewood Sanatorium
cricket match; Wokingham Carnival in the evening, and several members afternoon
also; and the Mayor’s church parade. The band have paid £38 for instruments, while a
balance of more than £100 still remains. The band expressed their thanks to their
supporters for the generous help given in Joel Park and in the Market Place, and also
for private donations.

FIRE CALL
The fire brigade, on Monday evening at 8.28, received a call to a fire at Sindlesham
Mills (Messrs. Over Bros.), and in six minutes were at the scene of the outbreak,
where they found the engine house and a lean-to attached well alight. Sonning Fire
Brigade had also received a call and arrived a few minutes after the Wokingham
brigade. Four jets were soon at work, and the fire was extinguished within 20 minutes
and all danger was averted. The Wokingham Brigade, who were commanded by
Captain W.B. Martin, arrived back at 10 minutes to 12, midnight. The roof of the
engine house was burnt off, but the machinery escaped damage.

HERO OF “MARY ROSE.”
Mr. Walter Webb, of 2, Wiltshire Road, at- one time P.O. Walter Webb, R.N., of the
“Mary Rose” T.B.D.-famous for her gallant action in the North Sea on October l7th,
1917, with two German light cruisers, each of superior strength, in defence of a
merchant convoy--was honoured last week with an invitation to the “setting of the
model of the fourth ‘Mary Rose’”' (the gift of Clements Langford, of Riversmount,
Melbourne, Australia),in the Cathedral Church of Portsmouth. Mr. Webb wore his
five medals, one a decoration from H.M. the King of Rumania, in respect of the “Vth
Mary Rose” action in the War, when he was mentioned in despatches for his gallant
conduct in cheering the eleven survivors of the 98 crew of the sunk vessel till rescued.
Mr. Webb is now steward of the Wokingham British Legion Club and his comrades
and town are proud of him.

POPPY DAY
Armistice Day was observed with the usual solemnity, services being held at the
churches and wreaths being placed on the various war memorials. The Silence was

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