Page 748 - Reading Mercury

present it to the Rural District Council, when the members would be most delighted to
receive and entertain you”.
The presentation proceedings concluded with the crew of the Garth being accorded
three hearty cheers, and the singing of the National Anthem. The Captain and his four
officers were entertained in the Town Hall, where they received many gestures of
hospitality.
The crew, after being dismissed from parade, were introduced to many of the local
residents and took the opportunity of looking round the centre of the town. Many
autograph books, which must have been stowed away for a long time, were in
evidence, and the men were kept busy supplying all who were anxious to have a
record of this memorable visit.
At 3.45 the ratings met at the British Restaurant where a substantial high tea, which
included grilled ham and scrambled eggs, was provided for them. The Mayor, Lt. Col.
Burnell, Mrs. Baxter and Mr. Tonseth (Assistant regional Commissioner) attended
and again gave them a warm welcome to Wokingham.
An amusing incident took place just before tea was finished, when about twelve lads
came in all with books, asking for autographs. Ald. E. W. Reeves, who was acting as
host on behalf of the Mayor, told the boys to form up and march in, the same way as
the sailors, salute, and present their books to each member of the crew. When asked
how many of the boys wanted to join the Navy when they were old enough, all said
they wanted to be sailors. While this was in progress, the Captain with his officers
were answering various questions about their ship, at the large gathering of interested
inhabitants of Wokingham, who were present at the Town Hall.
On view in the Town Hall was a beautifully made replica of the Garth, which had
been presented to the Holt School some time ago. It had been modelled by members
of the crew in their spare time.
Before leaving to spend the evening with some of their newly found hosts, Captain
Davis received another three sets of mah-jongg, which which had recently been given
by local residents.
It was understood that the men would have to return to their ship on Friday evening,
leaving Wokingham on the 6 o’clock train, but at the last minute the Captain found it
possible to grant a few hours' leave. Arrangements were then made for each man, if he
so desired, to attend the Ritz Cinema, and for those who had not already been offered
accommodation with one or other of the residents, the First Aid Post was opened up
for the night, and a hot breakfast was served to the men before they left Wokingham,
which they did on Saturday morning, full of enthusiasm for the hospitality and kind
reception they had received from the town.
A special word of praise is due to the small executive Committee under the
Chairmanship of the Mayor, and especially to Miss D. Finch and her willing band of
W.V.S. helpers, for making last minute arrangements for some of the crew to be
entertained and accommodated for the night.

CIGARETTES FROM HEAVEN
Local Schoolchildren were Angels to the “Forgotten Army”
Men of a British regiment driving the Japanese towards the Irrawaddy River had
smoked their last cigarettes. Few had even as much as a stub end left when late in the
day, a cargo aircraft flew over and signalled its intention to drop supplies.
With the rations that came floating down beneath the white parachutes were two
cases of English cigarettes—the gifts of school children at home.

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