Page 733 - Reading Mercury

Laurence E. Toogood R.N.V.R. H.M. Light Coastal Forces, husband of Mrs. Joan
(Jimmy) Toogood, of Edneys Hill, Wokingham has been killed on active service.

th
Fri 5 May
Red Cross Gift Shop
The popularity of the Red Cross & St. John Gift Shop at 23, Denmark Street, has far
exceeded expectations. Since it opened on Easter Saturday, the gifts that have been
sold, realised £230. The best day’s takings so far, was £63.
Residents of the Borough, and Rural District, have generously contributed to this
most deserving of all causes, and the articles given for re-sale range from, a diamond
brooch, valued at £70, and early editions of Dickens and Thackery, to a child’s toy
fort and soldiers, and a Dunhill pipe.
Despite the large variety of gifts which have been disposed of there have been many
requests from prospective patrons, for handbags, a small-sized girls’ bicycle, and all
types of trinkets and lockets.
Mrs. R.H.R. Palmer, who is in charge of the Gift Shop, informed our reporter this
week, that more gifts are urgently required, no matter what their value. There is still a
great demand for the small type of gift, and the organisers hope that residents will
continue to support the fund, by supplying them with their unwanted, or unused
articles.

The appearance of two bepatched Italian prisoners strolling along the Reading Road
on Sunday evening minus an armed posse as their guard, caused a resident to notify
the police. As a precautionary measure the men (who could not speak a word of
English) were interrogated, their camp was communicated with, and presumably the
information given gave them a clean sheet, and they were allowed to continue on their
way. The entire proceedings appeared to cause the Italians much amusement.

th
Sat 27 May
RATION BOOKS
The distribution of the new issue of ration books for Wokingham Borough, has so
far gone without a hitch. Mr. J. Stallwood, Deputy Food Officer, told our
representative “Wednesday was a very busy day, more being distributed than on the
same day last year.

OVERSEAS RELIEF DAY
Wokingham Boy Scouts lat Saturday—Overseas Relief Day—had a busy day doing
anything from polishing silver to digging the garden, to raise funds to enable ‘Scout-
trained men to do relief work when the occupied countries in Europe are liberated.

AWARDED D.F.C.
The Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to Acting Warrant Officer
Bernard Chapman Brooker (658724), R.A.F. No. 35 Squadron. This Warrant Officer
was born in 1919 in London, and his home is at Wokingham. He was a clerk in civil
life. He was transferred from the Army in 1942 for air duties.

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Sat 3 June
REPATRIATED

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