When a local hero took the salute
It was War Weapons Week for
the Hungerford Rural District, on Sunday April 20th. 1941.
The parade through the Town, was not to be forgotten by those who were there.
The procession assembled in “Dog Lane” near the Regent Cinema at
2.00pm. (prompt), it moved off at 2.30pm. The one and a half mile route was to
go from the cinema down Atherton Road, High Street, Bridge Street, Charnham Street,
(East) Oxford Street, Wantage Road (South) then back up to the top of the High
Street, passing the saluting base that had been erected outside Bodmans the outfitters
shop.
The salute was taken by The Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal KCB., DSO.,
MC. (as he was then). Vehicles dispersed on to Atherton Crescent, and those on
foot right wheeled and marched back down the High Street to the saluting base
to hear an address by Chief of the Air Staff, followed by three verses of the
hymn Abide With Me, and then the National Anthem was sung. Dispersal was at 4.00pm.
I have a list of all those taking part, but will mention but a few:-
Leading was a Police Car, followed by a Bren Gun Carrier,- Banner carried by
Sergeants of the Royal Berkshire Regiment, a contingent of the Royal Berkshire
Regiment, (the chief marshal was R.S.M .Downey Royal Berks. Regt.).The Band of
the Royal Berkshire Regiment, then Armoured Vehicles (various),- American Ambulance,
Band of the Royal Marines, Royal Naval Guard, Contingent of the Royal Air Force,
Drums of Royal Berkshire Regiment, followed by the Women’s Royal Naval
Service, Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, Women’s Auxiliary
Air Service, Women’s Land Army, Observer Corps and the Home Guard.
Then all of the local Voluntary services, which included:- Decontamination Squad,
A.F S (1 trailer pump), Road Repair Lorry, W.V.S. (2 sitting case cars) and A.R.P
messengers. Also included were contingents from the Old Contemptibles and South
African War Veterans, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides (with trek carts), First Aid Parties.
At the rear were the Kintbury Volunteer groups, AFS, Wardens, etc., and a Bren
Gun Carrier.
Quite a big day locally for the war effort, and also for the young man who during
the 30’s, would roar his motor cycle from Eddington House, around the Bear
Corner, and up the High Street at breakneck speed. He became Air Chief Marshal,
(a mediator on tricky occasions between the P.M .and certain of the Military
top brass), with a most distinguished war service indeed, the well liked, Lord
Portal of Hungerford .
Artie