Page 752 - Reading Mercury

Inaugural Meeting at Town Hall
Under the ex officio chairmanship of the Mayor, the first meeting of representatives
of local organisations took place at the Town Hall, on Monday. An executive
committee was formed to launch a fund, and to make arrangements for an official
welcome home to all local service men and women. It was agreed that the Fund be
described at “Wokingham’s Welcome Home Fund for the Forces, 1945,” and that it
should be registered under the War Charities Act.
On the proposition of Coun. Moles, seconded by Mr. A. Andrews, Alderman F.S.
Perkins was elected Hon Secretary. Mr. Hamlet (Manager of Midland Bank), was
elected Treasurer, Councillor Moles was voted assistant secretary.
Before inviting nominations for the executive committee, the Chairman informed
the meeting that the idea of starting the Fund was that the expense of giving the
returning service personnel an official welcome home, would not fall upon the rates,
and therefore it was up to the committee to get as much money into the Fund by
whatever manner they considered best. It was not known at this stage, how the money
was to be spent, but he had no doubts that it would be spent to the satisfaction of
everyone.
The following nominations for the committee were then proposed, seconded and
accepted: Councillor H. Lush, Lt.-Col. F. Wells, Councillor F. Moles, Mr. E. Browne,
Miss Finch, Councillor Mrs. Longhurst, Miss Wescott, Mr. C. Ward, Rev. F.E.
Thomas, Mr Green, Alderman F.J. Barrett, Mr. Rumsey, Mr. R. Giles, and Councillor
D. Goddard. It was agreed that the committee have power to co-opt. If required.
While the number of suggestions put forward by the meeting on how the official
welcome home was to be conducted, were very few, Mr. Giles put forward an idea for
a flag day to be held on the official V day—the proceeds of which would materially
assist the Fund.
One questioner asked if the welcome would be given after the war in Europe, or
when the Japanese were beaten. The Mayor replied that the meeting would agree with
him that it could not take place until the Japanese war was over. It was however
suggested that there should be an official welcome extended to each returning
serviceman, and that he should receive some little token.
Approx. 900 service personnel from Wokingham
Lt. Col. Fortesque Wells, (British Legion), was asked if he could give some idea of
how many local men and women were serving in the Forces, but he replied that the
British Legion had experienced considerable difficulty in securing this information—
it was being held back for some reason or another. So far they had only been able to
secure 317 names.
Mr. H. Bird, (Ministry of Labour), offered the information that he had records of an
approximate figure of 700 men and 200 women, serving from the borough.
The meeting felt that it would be necessary to ascertain the actual number, and one
person suggested that members of the Youth Club should canvas every house in the
borough, with a view to compiling a complete record.
The meeting concluded with the Chairman requesting that the Executive Committee
only, should remain.

WOKINGHAM
SAILORS’ FLAG DAY
The Flag Day held on Tuesday, April 10th, in aid of the St. George’s Fund for
Sailors, realised the very satisfactory sum of £126 9s. The collection was undertaken

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