Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 4. p 926

Welcome Home to the 1st Royal Berks Regiment -€” continued.

... the none too stable trees near Messrs. Vincent's garage. Six boys shared one tree, which seemed on the point of collapse, while others climbed lamp-posts and stood on railings. The station roof and the roof of the Great Western Hotel furnished vantage points for a number of spectators, and one officer stood alone in solitary state on a part of the station roof, severely refraining from mingling with the other sightseers. A party of W.R.A.F.'s in the smart blue dress uniform, were drawn up opposite the station entrance, and what more refreshing sight could there have been to greet the travel-stained warriors on their arrival?

The LORD LIEUTENANT then addressed the men as follows: - "Colonel Brett, officers, N.C.O.'s and men of the 1st Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, as His Majesty's Lieutenant for the County I beg to welcome you here on your return from active service. I am sure everyone here is proud of this battalion of its county regiment. We have followed the record of your doings in the field ever since August, 1914, and I am glad to think that the reputation of the Royal Berkshire Regiment has been so well maintained by the 1st Batt -€” a reputation which I think most of you know is emphasised by that trophy in the Forbury Gardens celebrating the Battle of Maiwand. I have the very greatest pleasure in welcoming you, and I thank you in the name of humanity for what you have done for us and for England.

Colonel WALSH then read the following telegram from Colonel Graham, Assistant Military Secretary at the War Office, to the Officer Commanding the 1st Battalion: -

Please convey to all my hearty welcome on your safe return. I much regret I am unable to meet you in person. Please convey my warmest congratulations on the magnificent war record of the 1st Battalion. I look on you with very great pride, having been associated with you from the early days of the war.

Colonel BRETT replied in a simple, straightforward, and thoroughly soldierly manner. He thanked the Lord Lieutenant for his kind words, and said it was a great pleasure and honour to be greeted in such a way. They never expected a reception of that character, and he was afraid they were all very tired, having had three days'™ journey from Germany, where they had been endeavouring to keep the Hun in his place. He would also like to express his appreciation to the people of Reading for turning out in such large numbers. Three rousing cheers were then given, and the party moved off for the Town Hall.

Through the Streets.

What a scene of jubilation ensued! Hitherto all had been orderly and in keeping with military discipline, but now the crowd's enthusiastic excitement knew no bounds. Boys and girls broke through the ranks, laughed, talked and walked with the soldiers and often relieved the gallant fellows of their rifles. Prominent in Station Road was a large banner displayed by the Vehicle Workers'€™ Association, and all down the streets were flaunted flags, streamers and every manner of decorative emblem. The route was lined by members of the Reading Cadet Battalion under Captain Blandy, 30 Boy Scouts in Broad Street and the Berkshire Volunteers. The procession was augmented by old members of the 1st Berks who have served overseas with the Battalion and who have since been discharged and demobilised, and also the 1/4th Berks. They bore the marks of their journey and though they looked in splendid trim were obviously hot and tired. Little wonder, since they left Cologne on Friday and had been travelling ever since. They received good treatment in Germany at the hands of the inhabitants, who were declared to be most hospitable and obliging. On their arrival at Victoria they had been welcomed by Gen. Dickson, the former Colonel of the Regiment. Their history has been one of the most stirring in the annals of warfare, ancient or modern. It has been an epic equal to any published or unpublished. Right through the long dark days of war ever since 1914 they have been in France and have belonged to the 6th Brigade of the 2nd Division. The retreat from Mons saw them, they were conspicuous at Loos, at Festubert, Givenchy and Hulloch, they were in the thickest of the fray in both battles of the Somme, and at the first battles of Ypres they covered themselves with glory. All this was vividly recalled as they passed up Station Road, along Friar Street, up West Street, down Broad Street and through the Butter Market to the Town Hall. Yet they seemed to take their honours quietly these heroes of the war, nor were they visibly moved to any great extent by the ovation accorded them. Considerable ingenuity was displayed by the spectators in installing themselves in suitable strongholds. The Vicarage of Greyfriars with its ascending steps outside the door accommodated a large batch, Blagrave Buildings were more densely populated than ever before, the trams were overloaded by passengers who had apparently boarded them for no other reason than to get a good view, all the leading business establishments afforded good stands, while in the Market Place some agile spirits had climbed up the obelisk. On arrival at the Town Hall the bells of St. Laurence's tolled so loud and long that it was some time before the Mayor could make himself heard.

At the Town Hall.

It was here that the reception partook of a civic character. Drawn up along the pavement outside the Hall were the Mayor and Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Hayward, the Deputy Mayor, Mr. F. A. Sarjeant, Miss E. M. Sutton, and Messrs. Leonard Sutton, E. O. Farrer, Martin H. F. Sutton, F. A. Cox, A. H. Bull, E. P. Jackson, W. E. Butler, G. S. Abram, F. Winter, L. E. Quelch, W. R. Howell, C. G. Field, W. Sparks, T. Norris, F. E. Moring, H. Costin, H. T. Morley, R. J. Tyrrell, A. Newbery, Rudland, Short and Turner, Mr. C. S. Johnson, the Deputy Town Clerk, Mr. H. T. Pugh, Mr. F. W. Martin, the Deputy Coroner, and Canon Newhouse.

The MAYOR, having shaken hands with Col. Brett, addressed the troops as follows: - "As Mayor and Chief Magistrate of the County Borough I desire to extend to you the most hearty Welcome to our town. We are all delighted to see you home again, and we tender you our grateful thanks for the services you have rendered to King and country. You have well maintained the traditions of the 49th during the 4½ years you have been overseas. When I recall that Bank Holiday in August, 1914, I cannot but deeply regret that of those officers of the 49th who were playing cricket with the Berkshire XI, on the Sports Ground many have sacrificed their lives for their country. I have received a telegram from Colonel Wilson. It says: -
€”
Deeply regret my duties in London prevent my being present to welcome with you the return of the Berkshire Regiment. The great example set by the 49th in the early days of the war stirred all other units and proved the worth and the heroism of the County Regiment.

[photo, crowd, exterior] SOME IDEA OF THE VAST THRONG WHICH GATHERED TO WELCOME OUR HEROES MAY BE GAINED FROM THIS SCENE IN THE STATION ROAD. [Photo by C. E. & A. May.]