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Key dates over October 1914

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Lives lost on this day: 35

Battle of Gheluvelt – famous resistance by 2nd Battalion.

31st October 1914 - Battle of Gheluvelt – famous resistance by 2nd Battalion.

The meeting of the 2nd Worcestershire with the 1st South Wales Borderers in the grounds of the Chateau
 (painting by J. P. Beadle).

Image courtesy of Worcestershire Regiment Museum.

On the evening of the 30th October, the Second Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment remained uncommitted, all other units having been sent to reinforce the line. Located in Polygon Wood, the Battalion was commanded by Major E. B. Hankey and the Adjutant was Captain B. C. Senhouse-Clarke. At 13.00 hours on the 31st October, the Battalion received an order to attack and retake Gheluvelt. Captain A. F. Thorne of the Grenadier Guards was to act as a guide. From Polygon Wood, the chateau which dominated the village could not be seen but the nearby church tower rising amidst the smoke, was visible. All around were wounded and stragglers coming to the rear and batteries could be seen limbering up and moving back. The Worcestershires alone were moving towards the enemy. The ridge was littered with dead and wounded, and along the crest, German shells were falling fast. Hankey decided that the only way to cross this dangerous area was at the doubl

Rolling casualty count: 369

3rd Batt: Doulieu: Marched to Merris and went into billets.

Another home for Belgian Refugees has been opened in Worcester: The people of Martin Hussingtree and Hindlip, led by Mrs Harry Tyler and Mrs J C Turner, have given support. Mr Harry Tyler has very generously lent Vine House, in the Upper Butts, a fine house for the purpose, at least 8 refugees can be accommodated there, whether of one or two families;

47 of the Worcester Artillery leave Shrub Hill at 12 o’ clock tomorrow to join the main Battery, who have volunteered for Imperial service; Another 18 recruits were accepted at Norton yesterday. During the week up till Thursday night, 113 men had joined the Regulars and 61 the Territorials;

The Chaplain of the 8th Worcs, Rev B Allen Berry thanked all those who have been good enough to send papers and magazines to the Public Hall for the Territorials. The authorities found it impossible to issue great coats to the men from the stores, and, as the weather is now getting very wet and cold, Mr Berry would be grateful if all who have overcoats and mackintoshes to spare will send them to him for distribution among the Territorials;

Apples for the Fleet: The Ven. Archdeacon Peile, of Great Comberton reported that he had received a pressing appeal from Admiral Paget for apples for the sailors of the British Fleet, the Committee of the Pershore and District Fruit Growers’ Association have been making laudable efforts to interest their members in the matter with such success that a really splendid consignment of fruit was despatched on Thursday, and another lot is to go on November 5. The fruit was packed in boxes and labelled “Gifts to Sailors”, and the sender’s name

Information researched by Sue Redding