Page 756 - Reading Mercury

auction and refreshment stall raised a good sum for the S.A. Men’s Welcome Home
Fund.

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Sat 23 June
EVACUEES RETURN
Forty accompanied children and eleven grown ups and children from Wokingham
Borough and Rural District returned to London on Wednesday morning. Before
walking to the station they were given refreshments in the St. Paul’s Parish Rooms.
The Rev. G. Kenworthy, the Rev. P.J.H. Scott and Rev. H.C. Johnson went to see
them off, together with a number of foster parents, all of whom were a little sad.

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Sat 7 July
Wokingham Officer Wins M.C.
It is announced that the Military Cross has been awarded to Major John Eric Weller,
Royal Engineers of Wokingham for services in North-West Europe. The citation
states:--
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“Near Rees on March 24 , 1945, 210 Field Company Royal Engineers,
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commanded by Major J.E. Weller, was engaged with 11 and 209 Field Companies
Royal Engineers on building a bridge over the Rhine. The site was subjected to
observed artillery and mortar fire so accurate that the company was ordered on several
occasions to temporarily abandon work. The whole time work was in progress Major
Weller, whose unit was in the most exposed position, remained on the open bank
directing the task. Wherever danger appeared greatest he was to be found encouraging
his men and showing disregard for his personal safety. His calm leadership
undoubtedly saved casualties and his courageous example was reflected in the
determination of his troops.

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Fri 13 July
RED CROSS PENNY-A-WEEK FUND
The result of the house to house collections for the above fund for May was £60 8s
8d.

A JOB WELL DONE
Mrs. Jean Baxter who has been the Hon. Secretary of the Wokingham National
Savings Committee for the past four years, resigned her appointment on June 30th.
During her term of office, she has been responsible for the three big successful
savings campaigns—Warship week, Wings for Victory, and Salute the Soldier, which
together totalled 1½ million pounds in savings. Due to Mrs. Baxter’s tireless efforts,
savings in the district have risen from 17% to 32%, but since the end of the war in
Europe, they have fallen away, and Mrs. Baxter feels that she can no longer devote
the time for the tremendous job of work which will be necessary for the peace savings
campaigns, the first of which will be launched shortly.
Mrs. Baxter has been the recipient of numerous congratulatory messages, on her
most successful years of office, from all over the district, and she leaves her self-
appointed task with the feeling of a job well done, in which the strong enthusiastic
support of the Group secretaries and others, has contributed to a very great extent.
No successor for the position has yet been found, but it is hoped that someone who
may have the time and energy to work up a peace savings campaign, will come
forward.

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