Page 747 - Reading Mercury

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Fri 2 Feb
WOKINGHAM WELCOMES MEN OF THE “GARTH”
First Official Visit To Present Captured Ensign
Despite the extreme cold, the schoolchildren of Wokingham, together with their
parents, assembled in force on Friday last, to give a welcome to the officers and men
of H.M.S. Garth, on their first official visit to the town, occasioned by a request from
the ship’s company, to present to the district which “adopted” their ship, a Nazi
Ensign, captured from a German 'E' boat, after an action in which the enemy boat was
sunk.
The entire length of the route, from Station Road, to the Town Hall, was lined with
Schoolchildren. As the marching sailors approached, they were greeted with loud
cheers and excited waving of treasured flags, which had been stored away, waiting for
just such an occasion.
As the column swung round to the east of the Town Hall, where the Mayor and the
Chairman of the Rural District and representatives of the Savings Committee were
waiting, the large crowd surged forward to secure a better view of this unusual
presentation, but were halted by a rapidly erected rope barrier
The well-worn Nazi flag, attached to a short staff on which was fitted a brass plate,
suitably inscribed, was presented to the Mayor by the Commander of the Garth, Capt.
W. Grono Davis D.S.C. and the Mayor (Coun. W.C. Fullbrook), suitably responded.
In his address, the Mayor spoke of the Wokingham and District residents’ great:
interest in the activities of the Garth, and the pride which was felt when it was known
that “their” ship had the honour of bringing the King safely back to this country after
his visit to France
In expressing thanks for the Nazi ensign, the Mayor said that it would be added to
the many other links with the Garth, which are treasured and appreciated. The ship’s
Crest, continued the Mayor, which is not carried into action, was being cared for by
Miss Effie Barker, one of the joint Masters of the Garth Hunt; one of the ship’s life
belts was in the safe keeping of Mrs. R. Palmer, and the ensign will now join the
plaque (a replica of the ship’s crest), in the Town Hall.
The Mayor made reference to the H.M.S. Garth Fund, which was launched some
time ago, for which Captain Davis only, can draw on when he considers it necessary.
Reference was also made to the successful appeal given out last year by the present
Deputy Mayor (Coun. G. A. Cheeseman), for some mah-jongg sets for the use of the
officers and men of the Garth. This resulted in residents providing six sets, which
were duly despatched. In conclusion the Mayor expressed his assurance, which he
hoped would be passed on to the other members of the crew who were unable to be
present on this occasion, of the residents’ feeling of pride at being associated with the
Garth, “Our thoughts, our best wishes and our prayers are with you all, and I hope that
when this war is over and your dangerous work to a large extent, is completed, we
may have another opportunity of demonstrating to all the officers and men of the
Garth, our heartfelt thanks for all you have done. We wish you Good Luck and Good
Hunting.”
The Chairman of the Rural District Council, (Lt. Col. C.D. Burnell), then spoke, and
in the course o f his address, explained something of the disadvantages which he felt
as Chairman of the R.D.C., on a function such as this, as while the ensign has been a
gift to both the Councils, it will be retained in the Borough, “We are two entirely
separate organisations” he remarked, and added facetiously that the men should
“return to your ship with little delay, proceed to collect another Nazi ensign, and

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