A Bicycling Mayorality
Councillor Robert Benjamin Naish - Mayor of Wokingham 1977-78 and Royal Signals
The Man Robert Benjamin (Bob) Naish was born in Riseley, Berkshire on 26th October 1915 and was the youngest of eight children of master butcher, Amos Edward Naish (1873-1955) and his wife, Sarah Ann nee Middleton (1876-1945) who lived at Cherry Tree Cottage, Swallowfield. His brothers and sisters were Ethel Lucy (1896-1961), Albert Edward (1898-1981), Elizabeth A (1900), Frederick Thomas A (1904-1978), Beatrice E (1906), Cecil John H (1908) and Winifred J (1911). One would have imagined that he would have had few advantages being the youngest of a large family, but his parents had high hopes for him and paid for him to attend a private school. Following his education Bob became a carpenter by trade and during the first quarter of 1939 aged 23, married Gwendoline (Gwen) Annie Robins (1913-1992) and moved to 70 Evendons Lane, joining the ARP Reserve. They had no children. Following the outbreak of World War II later the same year, Bob enlisted into the Royal Signals, with service number 2383835. He served in the Burma Campaign and returned home on 29th January 1946. He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. Bob and Gwen later moved to Wokingham where he started a business as joiner, carpenter, painter and decorator. He didn't drive but could often be seen around the town on his bicycle carrying a wooden ladder, which he had made himself, over one shoulder with a tool bag on his back. However as the result of an operation Bob had to give up his business and became a car park attendant for Wokingham District Council. Bob became involved in local politics and was elected onto Wokingham Borough Council as a Councillor winning a bye-election at Evendons Ward in 1967 with a majority of 354 votes. In 1970 he was returned unopposed and in 1972 re-elected with a majority of 672 votes. Following local government re-organisation, Bob was elected onto Wokingham Town Council in 1976 with a majority of 792 votes and appointed as Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee and Vice-Chairman o the Amenities Committee. He became Mayor of Wokenham Town Council for the municipal year of 1977-78. During his term of office he signed the Twinning Charter between Wokingham and Erfstadt in Germany, and was remembered with affection by the German guests to the town. In 1978 he was again made Deputy Mayor and made voce-chairman of the Amenities Committee. He retired from politics in 1979 and did not seek re-election. Bob loved his local St. Paul’s Church and gave much of his time to its affairs, occupying a number of positions over the years including church warden, recorder and free will offering secretary. To many, Bob was regarded as being a very kind man and someone who was very proud of his wife, his town and his country. He was a man of strong beliefs who wasn't afraid to stand up for what he felt was right. To others he was difficult to get along with mainly because of the seriousness and importance with which he regarded his role in the parish and town. He was always determined that things should be done properly and in order.
He was always determined that things should be done properly and in order. There was only one way to do things and that was the right way, which was his way, he was never afraid to speak his mind. If he thought something was being done unfairly or unjustly he would always say so – to the discomfort of those on the receiving end! In later years he and Gwen moved into a flat in Alderman Willey Close. When Gwen was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease Bob, at first, insisted he should look after her himself but eventually he allowed her to be cared for in the Berkshire Nursing Home. Bob himself suffered several years of ill-health, was in and out of hospital and sadly became house-bound, but continued to receive regular communion from Father Ernest Fiddaman and closely followed the affairs of St Paul’s Church, generously giving £1,000 towards the new lighting system. Bob died in Wokingham Hospital in the early hours of 8th of October 1987 aged 71, just two days before the official 10th annual own twinning celebrations were due to commence. His funeral service was held at St. Paul’s Church, conducted by Fr Fiddaman and followed by another at Easthampstead Crematorium. Gwen died five years later on 30th June 1992. Bob was summarised by Peter Rapsey, a friend from St Paul’s as ‘A one-off character who contributed generously of his time and energy to this town which he loved and to his parish Church, and he will be remembered and mourned by many people’. He was also described by John Green as ‘A remarkable man, highly intelligent and very philosophical about life and down to earth’.
The Story The medals awarded to Robert Benjamin Naish were purchased from Aberdeen Medals on 20th July 2019. They had been considered for a year or two and checked frequently to see if they had been sold. The interest lay in the fact that Robert Naish had been Mayor of Wokingham, an extensive archive of biographical detail was available on the internet from the Wokingham Historical Society, two of the medals were privately named in contemporary style and the interest of Mayoral awards within this collection. The deciding factor came after a presentation to the Birmingham Medal Society on a separate group of Mayor’s Medals that included the Jubilee Medal 1977. Robert had also been Mayor during 1977, and his group would bring the total number of Mayoral groups who had served during the municipal year of 1977 in this collection to five, plus one who received the Jubilee Medal 1977 for being the longest serving Councillor. Immediately these connections were made, the medals were purchased and received. Little research was necessary as Robert’s details have been covered in a book Past Mayors of Wokingham 1947-1979 by local author Jim Bell. However Wokingham Town and Borough Councils were very helpful signposting further useful information and a trawl of the internet uncovered a telephone number where the book could be purchased. This turned out to be no less than the author himself who kindly agreed to personally sign and send his three books covering the entire Mayorality of Wokingham, and providing a little extra biographical detail.
Wokingham Town Council
Official blazon
Arms: Or semée of Acorns Vert a Chevron Ermine thereon a Tudor Rose barbed and seeded proper.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours issuant from a Saxon Crown Or a demi Stag at gaze proper supporting a Crosier Or.
Motto: 'E GLANDE QUERCUS' - From the acorn, the Oak.
Origin/meaning: The arms were officially granted on September 29, 1953.
The acorns on a gold shield, represent Wokingham as the Forest Town. The ermine chevron referes the the Royal House, and the Tudor Rose is part of the badge of Elizabeth I and the present Queen, both allude to the fact that the arms were granted to the Borough in Coronation Year, 1953. The Saxon Crown, represents the Saxon origin of the town, with the Berkshire stag, supporting a Bishop's crozier, referring to the ownership of the town by the Bishop of Salisbury to 1612.
The arms are now used by the town council.
Official blazon
Arms: Or semée of Acorns Vert a Chevron Ermine thereon a Tudor Rose barbed and seeded proper.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours issuant from a Saxon Crown Or a demi Stag at gaze proper supporting a Crosier Or.
Motto: 'E GLANDE QUERCUS' - From the acorn, the Oak.
Origin/meaning: The arms were officially granted on September 29, 1953.
The acorns on a gold shield, represent Wokingham as the Forest Town. The ermine chevron referes the the Royal House, and the Tudor Rose is part of the badge of Elizabeth I and the present Queen, both allude to the fact that the arms were granted to the Borough in Coronation Year, 1953. The Saxon Crown, represents the Saxon origin of the town, with the Berkshire stag, supporting a Bishop's crozier, referring to the ownership of the town by the Bishop of Salisbury to 1612.
The arms are now used by the town council.
With thanks to author Jim Bell, Wokingham Borough and Town Councils for their assistance and support.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: 2383835 CPL. NAISH R.B.
- Burma Star: 2383835 CPL. NAISH R.B.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
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Page last updated 17 Sep19