Page 731 - Reading Mercury

The citation, giving notice of the award, said that P/O Sargant had shown great
gallantry and had set an example of the whole-hearted devotion to duty during an
action with an enemy E-boat in the South Atlantic, while on convoy duty.
P/O Sargant has been a resident of Wokingham since 1922. Pensioned from the
navy in February 1939, he was recalled for service in August of that year.
During the course of his 30 years at sea, he served with the late Sir Dudley Pound
on board H.M.S. Colossus, in the Battle of Jutland in 1916, and is the recipient of the
Good Conduct Medal.

th
Sat 4 March
RED ARMY DAY
The flag-day on Wednesday last week for medical equipment for the Russian Army
realised £48 13s. Mrs. J.B. Eustace was the organiser.

RITZ COLLECTIONS
Organised by Mr. Allday, manager of the Ritz cinema, collections were taken last
week for the British Sailors’ Society, and the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleet, £81
10s. being taken.

H.M.S. GARTH IN ACTION
H.M.S. Garth, Wokingham’s adopted ship, was recently in action against an enemy
E-boat. A telegram has been sent by the Mayor, Cllr. G.A. Cheeseman, congratulating
the captain and crew, and he has since received an acknowledgement from the
captain.

NEWS OF WAR PRISONER
News has been received of L./Tel. Reginald Challis, R.N. whose home is at 110,
Matthews Green, Wokingham, now a prisoner of war in Germany. He was captured
when the submarine “Oswald” was sunk early in the war, and was a prisoner in Italy
until the Armistice was signed, when he escaped, but was recaptured after 4½ months
of freedom.

AMERICAN STARS ENTERTAIN
American stars entertained US soldiers at the Town Hall on Monday with 1½ hours
top-line variety. The show, “Boomps-a-daisy,” arranged by the U.S.O. has been given
in other towns and villages throughout the South of England. Artistes included Gladys
Church (singer and novelty whistler) Jack McCloud (banjo), Consolo and Melba
(dancing team), Miss Phyllis Colt (songs) and the Evans family, Evan and Helen
(father and mother) and Maryetta and Lester (daughter and son)

TOWN COUNCIL
The Corporation’s pig farm, started just over two years ago, has provided enough
meat rations for the entire population of Wokingham for one month. Ald. F.J. Barrett
mentioned this at the Wokingham Town Council meeting on Thursday, when he said
it was remarkable to think that this had been done, when the pigs had been mostly
been fed on kitchen waste.
The chairman of the British Restaurant and Committee, Ald. E.W. Reeves reported
st
that from the opening to December 31 , 48,000 lunches, 8,000 subsidiary meals,
7,500 teas and 31,000 beverages had been supplied.

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