Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 1. pg212

Lynda Chater. Edited 1st October 2015

THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE

The parade was representative and dignified,
as suited the occasion. The Mayor and
Corporation rode at the head of the procession,
and there followed businessmen, clergy
and ministers of religion, members of educational,
social and benevolent societies - and,
indeed, people of all classes, all creeds and all
callings. Bands played and banners fluttered
as the procession went its way, and nearly all
the whole population turned out to take part
in this simultaneous expression of national
sentiment. There was one banner smaller
than the rest, but pathetically eloquent.
It was carried by a little band of Belgian braves
and bore the simple message:

'We Belgians prefer to live in exile
among the gallant British than to be subjected
to the yoke of the barbarous Germans.'

Formed in Friar-street, the purposeful procession
traversed the main streets and eventually
encircled the statue of Queen Victoria in
readiness for a demonstration. It was presided
over by the Mayor of Reading, and was
addressed by his Worship, by the Right Rev.
William Boyd Carpenter and by Lord Reading,
the Lord Chief Justice. Thus the platform
was symbolic of three chief elements in
British life - Citizenship, the Church and the
Law. At the close of their speeches - points
from which are reproduced on this and the next
page - the crowd passed a resolution reiterating
its determination to take its share in winning
the war, three cheers were given for the King
and the massed bands led the singing of the
National Anthem. The procession was composed as follows: -

The Reading Temperance Prize Band.
The Mayor and Corporation of Reading.
The Borough Magistrates.
The Reading Board of Guardians.
Officials of the Borough.
The Clergy and other Ministers of Religion.
Representatives of University College, Reading.
The Reading and District Teachers' Association.
Detachment of the V. A. D. Nurses.
Detachment 13th Berks V. A. D.
Queen Victoria Institute and
52nd V. A. D. Red Cross (Berks).
Berks Women Volunteers.
1st Batt. National Reserve, with Band.
Reading Volunteer Defence Force.
The Reading Spring Gardens Silver Prize Band.
The Reading Fire Brigade.
The Reading Chamber of Commerce.
National British Women's Temperance Association.
Reading Girls' Club.
King Alfred Training Brig Detachment, with Band.
Royal Oak Benefit Society.
Ancient Order of Foresters.
Ancient Order of Druids.
Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes.
Independent Order of Oddfellows, M. U.
Order of the Sons of Temperance.
London and Provincial Yearly Dividing
Friendly Society, Reading United
Lodge.
Independent Order of Rechabites.
G. W. R. Temperance Union,
United Patriots' Benefit Society.
Detachment Belgians's Workshop.
Reading Trades and Labour Council and
Trades Unions, headed by the National
Union of Railwaymen's Band.
Salvation Army Brass Band No. 1.
Reading and District Devon and Cornish
Association.
Reading Literary and Scientific Society
and
Reading Natural History Society.
Reading Biscuit Factory Recreation Club.
Suttons' Recreation Club.
Reading Philanthropic Institution.
Reading and District C. E. M. S. Federation
Committee.
Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals.
Reading Amateur Sports Association.
Reading Philharmonic Society.
Reading Working Men's Regatta.
Reading Sunday School Union.
Reading Grocers, Tea Dealers and Provision
Merchants.
The Reading Tradesmen's Rowing Club.
Church Lads' Brigade
7th Reading Company Boys' Brigade.
1st Berks Drum and Bugle Band and
Scouts.
Reading and District B. P. Boy Scout
Association,

The MAYOR. - Success in the war depends
on those at home as much as on
those at the front. In three ways can we
help. We can create such a public
opinion that not a single eligible man shall
hold back from enlisting. We must take
care not to employ any man to minister
to our comfort or luxury who could serve
his country in the Army, the munition
factory or in some other way. We must
take care to spend as little as possible on
imported goods, for money sent out of
England reduces the national wealth.
England needs the unrestricted energies
of every one of her inhabitants to enable
her to win the war.

THE PROCESSION PASSING UP BROAD STREET.
THE MEMBERS OF THE VOLUNTEER DEFENCE FORCE
PRESENTED A SMART APPEARANCE.