Page 773 - Reading Mercury

Mr. L.G. Smalley, who succeeds Mr. Clifton, took up his new position on August
st
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Fri 9th Aug
WOKINGHAM WELCOME HOME FUND
First Presentation of Wallets
Before a very large assembly at the Ritz Cinema, Wokingham, on Sunday afternoon
the official presentation of wallets to the first 205 returning ex-Servicemen and
women of the Borough was performed by the Mayor (Councillor D. Goddard),
assisted by the Deputy Mayor (Alderman W.C. Fullbrook) and Alderman F.S. Perkins
(Organizing Secretary of the fund).
The wallets of brown pigskin, embossed with the crest of the Borough and endorsed
with the initials of each recipient across the corner, were considered the most practical
means of showing Wokingham’s appreciation and gratitude to those who had served,
and the Mayor extended a sincere expression of thanks to those residents—both rich
and poor— who had so generously subscribed to make the fund a financial success.
He added that it stood at nearly £2,000, but was still open for further contributions.
He also felt that a debt of gratitude was due to Alderman W.C. Fullbrook for his
untiring efforts in connection with the fund, and also Alderman F.S. Perkins, who had
put in an enormous amount of work day and night, mostly behind the scenes, in the
interest of the scheme.
The Mayor then described how the fund was launched after a public meeting to
which representatives of various organisations had been invited. At this meeting an
organising committee had been formed charged with the responsibility of getting the
fund started and to decide the best method of its allocation to local ex-Service
personnel. After much consideration wallets were decided upon, and it was hoped to
have arranged some form of tea party at which to make the presentation, but the new
rationing scheme prevented this. He pointed out that the Welcome Home Fund had
nothing to do with a War Memorial Fund, it was simply a token of Wokingham’s
gratitude to its returning service folk.
The Presentation
In presenting the wallets to theex-servicemen who came onto the stage from the
audience, the Mayor said it afforded him great pleasure to officiate on such an
occasion as this and he hoped that they would treasure the wallets in memory of an
afternoon together.
The first man to receive his wallet was Mr. Harold Prior, who, after a short spell as a
civilian, has decided to return to the Royal Navy for a further twelve years. Among
others who received a great ovation were Dr. J. J. Kempton and the four Beasley
brothers of Evendons Lane.
During the afternoon musical interludes were provided by Mrs. Gwendoline Earl and
Mr. Roland Miller who, accompanied by Mr.Arthur Yould, sang duets and solos.
Aldermen Fulbrook and Perkins both made further reference to the fund, and
mentioned that Wokingham’s Roll of Honour in the war was 52. All these fifty-two
homes had been visited and at fifty of them the desire for wallets was expressed in
memory of those who had not returned.
After thanks had been accorded to the stewards, the artistes, the Manager of the Ritz
and his staff, the Mayor’s mother (Mrs. Goddard) was given a round of applause.

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Sat 21 Sept
COSSACK RIDERS

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