Page 777 - Reading Mercury

them—each man’s initialled wallet ready and after a friendly word and shaking of
hands, it was over. Demob suits were well in evidence.
Possibly one of the hardest worked individuals during the presentation—and for that
matter long before it took place—was Ald. S.F. Perkins. He called out the names of
every recipient, and in order that his voice should carry to the furthermost corners of
the building acquired what might be termed a stentorian roar. There was a
microphone on the stage but they seldom work when needed, and the Alderman had
no alternative than to use his natural voice to its maximum power. By the end of the
ceremony he sounded a trifle hoarse, but at least he was heard.
He mentioned that several of the recipients were unable to be present, many of them
being still in hospital recovering from their war wounds, others still in the services but
stationed away from home. In these cases the wallets would be received by their
relatives or friends. Ald. Perkins pointed out that among them were several high-
ranking officers and also a number of men who had been decorated—but this occasion
was such that it was more fitting if the men be called by their Christian and
surnames—omitting rank and distinctions. To judge by the audience’s reaction, this
decision was a popular one.
During a short interval the Army Technical School Band played a selection and, at
the conclusion of the afternoon’s ceremony, formed up outside and, to the
accompaniment of their own martial music, marched to the centre of the town,
watched by a large and appreciative crowd who lined the route.

th
Fri 8 Nov
WOKINGHAM’S “PRE-FABS” ARRIVE
Two Being Completed Every Day
It will not be many weeks now before at least 40 of the 400 homeless families who
are on the Council’s priority list will have been comfortably installed in their new
homes. Last Thursday, after months of preparatory work on the foundations of the 40
prefabricated houses in the Binfield Road site, the first sections arrived. They came on
huge lorries and caused considerable interest as the convoys made their way through
the centre of the town en route for the location.
The new houses—actually they are bungalows—are being built in two sections—
each lorry carrying one section. Made of aluminium, they comprise two bedrooms,
one [illeg.]x 11’ and the other a little smaller. A living room, complete with special
stove which not only provides the warmth for that room but supplies warmth to all
other rooms in the building by a series of hot air ducts. It also supplies hot water in the
bathroom and kitchenette. This living room, complete with special stove which not
only provides the warmth for that room but supplies warmth to all other rooms in the
building by a series of hot air ducts. It also supplies hot water in the bathroom and
kitchenette. The living room 12’x 11’ out of which leads a compact and labour-saving
kitchenette 11’ x 9’, is equipped with sink, copper, gas cooker and refrigerator, all
built in a single...along one side. The bathroom also is of a very modern design and is
fitted with a bath, basin and lavatory. Electric lights and power points are a feature
throughout. The small but compact entrance hall is not fitted for a hall-stand, but a
corner is utilised for this purpose and is equipped with clothes’ hooks.
When our reporter and photographer arrived at the site on Friday, a foreman pointed
out that he was not permitted to give the Press any information about the buildings, so
a representative of the Ministry of Works on the site was approached. He also stated,
courteously but firmly, that he was instructed not to impart any information about the
bungalows, but did not offer any objections to the buildings being inspected. In view

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