At 6.14pm today, the Olympic Torch will arrive in Reading. This will be the second time the famous flame has passed through as the town was also a stop during the 1948 Torch Relay. This marks Reading out as one of the very few places in the UK to host the Torch twice – whilst the 2012 route sees the Torch carried all around the British Isles, in 1948 the flame only went to 15 places, all of which were in southern England.

Cameras were not widely owned when the Olympic torch last visited Reading, and images of the Torch in Reading in 1948 are very rare. Reading Museum has a few of these precious images and have pinned them, including this one taken by a member of the public and lent to the museum by a private collector. It shows Cemetery Junction when hundreds of people turned out at Cemetery Junction to see the torch pass from K.R. Martin to W.O. Nichols.

Did you see the 1948 Torch Relay? Have you seen the Torch in other decades or countries?

Add your photos and memories to Historypin to build up a picture of past Torch moments and stories.

In 1948 the torchbearers were young athletes chosen from the Reading Athletics Club for their appearance and stamina. This time the torchbearers of Reading will represent a cross section of the community and includes individuals that have raised substantial amounts for charities. With the youngest torchbearer aged just 12 and the oldest 74 Reading is also making sure all generations will be represented on this historic relay. Tonight a flame will be lit in the Madejski Stadium, home of Reading FC for a big celebration celebrating the diversity of Reading.

Are you planning to watch the Torch pass through Reading? Have you seen it pass through your area already?

Add your photos and stories to Historypin to record the Torch’s 2012 journey.