Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 1. Pg68

7th BATT. ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT
AN ENJOYABLE S T A T IO N IN THE COUNTY C A P IT A L .

Form ed a few weeks after tlie com m encem ent of war, the 7th Service
Battalion Royal Berks Regiment was the third battalion form ed in the
cou n ty on the creation of the New A rm y.
A fter cam ping a short tim e at Codford, Wiltshire, the 7th Berkshires (likew ise the 8th Berkshires) were
rem oved to Readi g, there to spend the winter and spring in being
m oulded from raw recruits into efficient infantrym en.
B illeted in the Q ueen'€™ s H otel and shop premises in Friar Street and the vicin ity, m orning
and afternoon they m arched to the outskirts of R ead in g and fam iliarised
them selves as much as possible with active service conditions, and to see
them returning m ud-stained from tren ch -d iggin g or h ungry from a 20-mile
route march was to understand som ething o f the rigours o f training in cold,
wet weather.
In the evenings they flocked into the recreation room s,
where religious and secular organisations so carefully studied the social
and material needs of the Tom m y A tkins thrown am ong strangers. N ot that
they were strangers lon g, for when after a series of farewell suppers and
socials the battalions left in A pril for residence in camp west of Berkshire
their departure created a sense akin to the sudden loss of firm friends. They
had enlivened our streets with
their regular “ tramp, tramp ” and their
lusty sin gin g on the march and had taught usto tell the time b y the
bugle blasts, so that even those who had not m ixed with them in the cosiness of a
club or invited them round the fam ily fireside cherished an affection for these
bronzed, brawny boys of Berkshire.
The good conduct of the 7th Berkshires was not the least pleasant
feature of their stay, and the Chief
Constable wrote a letter to this effect
to the Com m anding Officer, Lieut.Colonel R . Bray, who issued a public
statement of thanks to the clerg y of
all denom inations, com m ittees of
various halls and associations, vari
ous business firms and many other
residents “ for their kindness in
p lacin g at the disposal of m y men so
m any opportunities of recreation, rest
and refreshm ent.”
The Commanding Officer also wrote a letter of
thanks to the M ayor and Corporation
and the m unicipal officials for their
united efforts to make Reading
a m ost enjoyable station for the bat
talion, w hich it is superfluous to say
left with the best wishes for its
success in the stern duties ahead.

[T h e a cco m p a n y in g p h o to g r a p h s w ere ta k e n in February 1915.
P h o to b y ]

[C . E. M a y.

THE OFFICERS .