Page 689 - Reading Mercury

Wednesday afternoons or Saturday mornings, or the Town Hall, or they can be
collected.

APPEAL FOR BINOCULARS
The Mayor of Wokingham has appealed to the people of Wokingham and district to
“Put Their Binoculars on Active Service.” Any optician, he writes, will tell them how
to do it. There are many people who possess field glasses, but whether their
binoculars are in use or whether they have been put away for the duration, it is the
patriotic duty of every owner to offer them to the Government here and now,

ACCIDENT
A serious accident occurred on Saturday, about mid-day, near The Rifle Volunteer,
Embrook, when a pedal cyclist, in crossing the road, collided with an oncoming Army
motor-cyclist. Mrs. F.C. Heelas, of The Mill House, Embrook, who was standing
nearby speaking to a friend, was involved in the smash. Dr. Piggott and Dr. Rose were
called, and the ambulance conveyed Mrs. Heelas to a Reading nursing home,
suffering from severe head injuries and compound fractures of both ankles.

MILITARY NEWS
Driver C.H. Rogers, R.E. 16. Langborough Road, Wokingham, who was previously
th
reported missing, is now reported killed on May 20 at Tallas Road, Le Paré.

1941
th
Sat 25 Jan
WOKINGHAM FIRE CHIEF HONOURED
50 Years With The Brigade
CHEQUE PRESENTED BY MAYOR
In recognition with his association with the Wokingham Volunteer Fire Brigade for
half-a-century, Mr. Weston B. Martin, chief officer of the brigade, was presented in
the Wokingham Council Chamber on Thursday with a wallet containing a cheque for
£100, the amount subscribed, together with an album containing the names of the
subscribers. The presentation was made at a meeting of the Town Council by the
Mayor.
The Mayor pointed out that this was another unique record for Wokingham. In
Wokingham, with its healthy situation, it was natural that residents should live to a
ripe age, and as they had been always favoured with a spirit of voluntary service in the
town, they had had and were still making some very good records. In the Town
Council they had several members with long periods of service. He would mention
one only—that of Ald. P. Sale, who had served on the council for over 43 years.
Captain Martin had served the Wokingham Fire Brigade for over 50 years.
“Conditions today,” continued the Mayor, “allow us to appreciate a little more than
in peace time this wonderful service. Many of you know the strain of always having
to be as ready as possible. Captain Martin has been doing this for fifty years never
knowing when the bell would ring to call him to undertake the saving of life and
prevention of damage. Every night for fifty years Captain Martin has had to make sure
his fireman’s equipment is ready. I need not mention the efficiency of the Wokingham
Brigade because its reputation has been known and its efficiency appreciated for
many years. Wokingham can never repay Captain Martin and the other members of
the brigade for their services because by their voluntary service they have saved the
town thousands of pounds.”

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