Page 718 - Reading Mercury

Later the ‘plane dropped container with flares, first-aid box, phosphorus mixture
and water.; and a short time afterwards, foodstuffs, matches and cigarettes were
“delivered.” A corvette was on the scene some hours after the Sunderland had sighted
the survivors.
Carlin told a Reading Mercury reported on Tuesday: “We were very lucky to be
sighted by the Sunderland. I don’t think we could ever have reached land, for the trade
wind was against us, and when we were picked up we were still hundreds of miles
from shore. Our water ration was six ounces a day”—less than a tumblerful every 24
hours— and it was very hot weather the whole time. We had plenty of food but we
could eat little, as the lack of water made it almost impossible. We were all weak and
light-headed after the ordeal, but we recovered in a few days.”
Carlin—who was third officer of the torpedoed vessel—is going back to sea again
soon. He is a very happy man, for last Saturday he was married—to Miss Ruby Jarvis,
of Wokingham.

th
Sat 6 Feb
AIR TRAINING CORPS
Monday was the second anniversary of the A.T.C. of Britain. Under the Bracknell
heading there is a summary of the work of the 1,447 Squadron, which includes
Wokingham.

RECORD SAVINGS MONTH
Last month the Borough of Wokingham beat all their previous war savings records.
They saved £33,269—practically double the average monthly savings. For the week
ending last Saturday £5,593 was invested. Other savings news is that among new
groups formed is one with the most unusual name of “The Odds and Ends Group” of
Barkham Road.

THE TOWN HALL
The Town Hall now possesses an air of greater majesty than it has done for many
months. The walls are no longer bare, as the paintings, stored away for protection
earlier in the war, are back in position. In addition, the walls of the Town Hall
Chamber have been distempered for practically no cost, as the distemper was
provided by Ald. Barrett, and the walls were painted by council workmen, the Mayor
told the council on Thursday.

th
Fri 19 Feb
TRAGIC DEATH OF MRS. J. MILES
Well Known Wokingham Woman Killed In Air Raid
We regret to record the death of Mrs. Julia Miles, licensee of the Leathern Bottle,
Barkham Road.
On Wednesday afternoon last she visited a cinema in a nearby town in company
with her daughter, Mrs. Hester and her 2-year-old niece. After coming out of the
cinema they went to the “Peoples Pantry” for tea and chose a table near the door.
It was whilst they were having tea that the building was bombed, Mrs. Miles being
killed instantly. Mrs. Hester sustained serious injuries and was conveyed to the Royal
Berkshire Hospital where she is progressing satisfactorily.
The child however was missing but was ultimately found unhurt with the exception
of minor scratches, at the Battle Hospital, where she had been taken from the First Aid
Post.

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