Page 716 - Reading Mercury

In the four weeks ending November 28th, £13,292 was raised in Wokingham. A
new group has been formed at Silverdale Road, Early. Yesterday (Friday)
Wokingham school children were entertained at the Ritz with a programme of war
savings films, and the Mayor thanked all the children for the very successful and
steady way they had saved their money.

HOME FROM HOME PARTY
On Monday 18 happy children sat down to a sumptuous (but wartime) tea prty in
their home from home—the Murray Homes, Oxford Road. With them were four of
their little friends as well as other friends who had prepared their Christmas party.
They were also celebrating the raising of £12 2s. 6d. By a competition—won by C.K.
Cox, Aggister Lane, Barkham Road—to be sent to the Admiralty towards a torpedo
for H.M.S. Nelson, and additional to this sum, the children and staff enclosed the 14s.
In farthings they had collected amongst themselves.

th
Sat 26 Dec
POSTSCRIPT
Here is a postscript to the “Tanks for Attack” campaign. On Tuesday it was
announced that a tank had been allocated to the Wokingham Borough and R.D.C. for
their effort.

THE LATE SIR THOMAS MCARA
A memorial service for Sir Thomas McAra, of Wokingham, for many years
secretary of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association was held on Friday last week, at
St. Dunstan’s-in-the-West, Fleet Street. Dr. A.J MacDonald officiated, and
Prebendary A. Taylor, of St. Bride’s gave the address. There was a large and
representative attendance.

MAYOR’S CHRISTMAS WISHES
The Mayor and Mayoress of Wokingham, Ald. And Mrs. E.W. Reeves, extend their
warmest greetings for Christmas and best wishes for a peaceful New Year to the
residents of Wokingham. In view of the prevailing conditions, the Mayor and
Mayoress are not posting their usual Christmas cards this year.

COUNCILLOR THORPE’S SON PRISONER
On Saturday Cllr. J. Egerton Thorpe, Deputy-Mayor of Wokigham, and Mrs.
Thorpe were officially informed that their son, Major L.E. Thorpe, is a prisoner of
war in Japanese hands, believed to be in a camp in Malaya. It was after the fall of
Singapore that Major Thorpe was reported missing. He is 28, received his commission
in 1934, and two years later, left for India. When war broke out he was transferred to
Singapore. Cllr. And Mrs. Thorpe have another son, Major L.A. Thorpe, who at
present is serving on the Burmese front.

1943
th
Sat 9 Jan
PRODUCE ASSOCIATION FOUNDED
On Thursday a Wokingham Produce Association was founded at a meeting in the
Town Hall, at which the Mayor presided. Miss Chown, of the Agricultural Instruction
Department of the Berkshire County Council, described the Value of the association.
This temporary committee was formed: Mrs. W.G. Jeffries, 82 London Road,

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