Page 776 - Reading Mercury

He leaves his wife and one son, Mr. Eric Heelas, who served with the RAF during
the war. Cremation was at Woking on Thursday. Mr. Heelas left instructions that the
ashes were to be scattered on Finchampstead Ridges.

st
Fri 1 Nov
WOKINGHAM THANKS ITS EX-SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN
Packed Cinema At Presentation Of Wallets Ceremony
Even premieres of a super film could not have attracted a larger audience than was
present at the Ritz Cinema on Sunday afternoon—the occasion being the second
presentation of the “Welcome Home” Wallets. Every seat was occupied and other
spectators at this remarkably successful function were forced to stand—almost three
deep in places—at the rear of the stalls.
On the stage was the Band of the Army Technical School, Arborfield (by permission
of the Commandant, Colonel G.D. White), with their conductor—Bandmaster
Newman, A.R.C.M.
An impressive and poignant moment was when the entire audience rose to its feet
during the playing of two verses of ‘Abide With Me’ and remained standing while the
relatives of those who did not return and who had intimated their desire to be present
received the posthumous presentation of the inscribed wallets from the Mayor. By this
natural and thoughtful gesture the thoughts of everyone in that packed building went
out to those proud parents and wives in their tragic loss.
This was followed by the British Legion Exhortation—given by the Chairman of the
Wokingham Branch British Legion—Lt.-Col. Fortesque Wells.
The Mayor of Wokingham (Cllr. David Goddard) added his tribute on behalf of the
town to the relatives of The Fallen, and to those who were spared to be present on this
occasion to receive a simple but sincere token from those who had subscribed to the
‘Welcome Home Fund’. He gave a brief description of the fund—how it started and
grew as a result of the energetic efforts of its committee of which Ald. W.C.
Fullbrook was the enthusiastic Chairman and Ald. F.S. Perkins its hardworking
Secretary, who was responsible for the arrangements of this presentation. He added a
tribute to the untiring efforts of the canvassers who were charged with the
responsibility of the compiling of the list of Wokingham’s serving men and women.
Finally the Mayor thanked the subscribers, without whom there would have been no
presentation; Messrs Spero Ltd. (who were represented in the audience) for their
excellent workmanship in the manufacture of the wallets; the Manager of the Ritz
Cinema and his staff; the Stewards Band; Colonel White and, in fact, everybody for
their part in making the occasion such a success.
TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT WALLETS
Next followed the presentation to the ex-service girls who, though now dressed in
more feminine attire, still revealed the unmistakable signs of their former military
training by their smart bearing in mounting the stage and receiving their wallets. On
leaving the stage Ald Fullbrook extended a friendly handshake and a good wish for
the future and every recipient was accorded enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Two people who mounted the stage and received their wallets together were Dr.
Phyllis Pigott and Mr. Owen Pigott—the only husband and wife to participate in the
presentation together. They were given a great reception.
Then followed the men—180 of them. One by one they climbed the short steps to
the stage to the accompaniment of spirited clapping which many of them
acknowledged with a cheery grin and a “thumbs up” sign. The Mayor was waiting for

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