Page 750 - Reading Mercury

WAR SAVINGS
War Savings in the borough for the week ending January 27th, amounted to
£18,485.

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Sat 17 Feb
NAVAL AWARD
For bravery, resolution and skill in H.M. Ships in a successful action with enemy
destroyers off the Dalmatian coast, Leading Seaman Norman Philip Peggs, D/JX.
251030, of Wokingham, has been mentioned in dispatches.
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H.M.S. GARTH
The Mayor of Wokingham has received a letter from Lieut. John V. Holt, of H.M.S.
Garth, expressing his thanks on behalf of the officers and ship’s company of the
“Garth” for the really excellent and exciting welcome that you and the townspeople of
Wokingham went to so much trouble to produce. He goes on to say that everyone was
full of praise for the splendid hospitality shown. “Your return visit we insist upon,” he
adds.

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Sat 24 Feb
MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES
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Word has been received that Major Whitcher R.A.M.C. with the 8 Army in India,
an old Ranelagh boy, has been mentioned in dispatches for “Gallant Distinguished
Services.”

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Sat 3 March
REPORTED MISSING
Mrs. W. Smith, of Holmwood, Forest Road, Wokingham, has been informed that
her son, Stoker Phillip Roy Smith, is missing from H.M. Submarine “Porpoise” which
is long overdue and must be presumed lost. Aged 19, he was a member of the Reading
Sea Cadets before joining the Royal Navy.

NO UPHOLSTERY
Thames Valley passengers on the Wokingham routewill have noticed a new utility
double decker bus, which has wooden slat seats instead of the usual upholstered ones,
and only two drop windows on each deck. It has a seating accommodation of 55,
seven more than that of the ordinary buses. This type of vehicle is, however, purely a
war-time measure.

WOKINGHAM OFFICER WINS D.S.O.
It is announced that the Distinguished Service Order has been awarded to Lt.-Col.
Guy Owen Thompson, Royal Engineers, of Wokingham for services on the Italian
Front. The citation states:--
“This officer assumed command of the Engineers of the division the day before the
advance from the River Matauro started. Throughout the whole advance he has shown
a courage and devotion to a duty of a very high order. He has personally been right
forward continuously during the advance under shell, mortar and small arms fire, for
which he has exhibited a complete disregard. Though injured by the explosion of a
mine he continued to discharge his duty quite unshaken. His example and gallantry
played a most important part in maintaining the momentum of the advance from the
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River Matauro to the River Conca between August 27 and September 3 .
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