Christmas Dinner – Bognor Regis Observer – Wednesday, 06 January 1915

Soldiers' Christmas Dinner. On Wednesday and Thursday the Soldiers and Coast Guards down in Selsey were entertained to dinner by the residents of the village. The proceedings took place in the Cinema Hall, which was decorated with flags, and were undertaken by a small committee who were ably assisted by a body of ladies who decorated the tables and waited on the guests. The guests on Wednesday night were the officers and men of “P” Company the Reserve Batt. of the 9th Hants Regiment, and included Lieut.-Colonel Perkins, Lieut. Talbot-Ponsonby (Adjutant), the Company officers, Lieut. Dunning and Lieut. Ward. Lieut. Archibald Hamilton. Rational Reserve, (Hon Recruiting Officer for Selsey and District). Colour-Sergeant Symes, and C.P.O. Searle (Thorney Coastguard Station). On Thursday evening the guests were the officers and men of “C” Company the General Service Battalion of the 9th Hants, and included Lient-Colonel Johnson, V.D., the Company officers, Capt. Rose and Lieut. Walters, Capt. H. Stephen (Hon. Recruiting Officer for Selsey), Lieut. Dudley Jewell (Public School Corps), Lieut. Donkin (Berkshire Regiment), Colour-Sergeant Monday, and Mr. James Bonnar (Naval School Master, Shotley Barracks). One feature of the evening was a brilliant speech made by Colonel Johnson in proposing the toast the Navy. A very enjoyable time was spent on both evenings, and on each occasion there was a long programme of vocal and instrumental music, in which those who took part were Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Henry. Miss Gardner, Mr. W. Honnar. Mr. Simpson, Miss Lucy Walsh. Mrs. Baker, Hiss Lucia Rose, Lieut. Walters, Mr. Herbert, Sergt. West. Cyclists Ovenden. Howell, Jones, Suddery and Hellyer, Coastguard W. Kelley, and others.