Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 1. pg137
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Wounded Soldiers' Day at Reading
Image Details
| Title | Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 1. pg137 |
|---|---|
| Date | 1916 |
| Page number | Unknown |
| Publisher | Reading Standard |
| Description | 224 pages bound volume |
| Horizon Number: | 1246254 |
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OCR Text
Lynda Chater. Edited 2nd November 2015
WOUNDED SOLDIERS' DAY AT READING
The success of public appeals for funds
created by the necessities of the war is
proverbial, but few were hopeful enough to forecast
for Wounded Soldiers' Day a collection of
more than £1,000. As a matter of fact, the
proceeds were as much as £1,500. Part was
subscribed in special donations by the well-to-do,
but most of it was collected in the streets
of Reading and neighbouring places from
people of all classes. The task was borne by
an army of ladies, all armed with trays of
souvenirs, pasteboard medallions (the obverse
design of which accompanies this article). The
Reading War Hospital Care and Comforts
Fund benefited by the collection, to which the
poor gave most liberally. A labourer's wife
gave 6s. 6d., half the proceeds of the sale of
garden flowers(the other half being handed
to the Red Cross Society); another person of
small means subscribed 5s. Equally noticeable
was the keenness of our soldiers to pour
their pence into the coffer of charity; some
Tommies decked their caps and tunics with
rows of medallions. One battle-scarred
warrior was seen to 'decorate' each of a
group of poor children who gazed enviously at
his breast, and the proud father of seven soldier
sons obtained one medallion for each.
Altogether about 120,000 medallions were
distributed and there were 1,400 workers, the
organisation being mainly carried out by Mr.
W. M. Dimbleby and the Rev. P. N. Harrison
and everyone co-operating in the friendliest
manner. As to the moral results of the day,
there was a union of all classes, creeds and
parties in a single purpose that must have
enduring effects for good.
CAPTURED! Our warriors were among the most liberal subscribers
and took a delight in being decorated with the medallion.
Mrs. W. A. Mount, Mrs. J. H. Benyon and Mrs. Leslie Wilson, who
collected donations from the farmers and frequenters of the Corn Exchange.
SOME OF THE COLLECTORS OUTSIDE THE CENTRAL OFFICE IN BROAD STREET.