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Key dates over October 1914

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Lives lost on this day: 19

24th October 1914 - German attack wreaking havoc for Worcestershires

Rolling casualty count: 290

2nd Batt: Marched via St Julien to Halte into bivouac for only 20 minutes. Ordered to fall in and move via Hooge, the Germans had broken through the line and entered the forest north of Gheluvelt. Units became hopelessly scattered and were undoubtedly firing on each other. It was impossible to know what to do. The enemy were in strength and expected to push on. The Regt managed to link up with the Scots Guard to hold the line before digging into trenches during the night.

3rd Batt: La Quinque Rue: In trenches, enemy sniping and shelling at intervals.

Recently there was to be seen in the window of a Worcester Tradesman a group of photographs of Lord Kitchener, Admiral Jellicoe, and Sir John French, and also an everyday card , ‘Errand Boy Wanted.’ For such men (if for them) at such at time, a boy of no ordinary calibre was wanted. None lacking in hustle and personality would suffice. It was thought by some passers-by who preserved their humour in these grim times, that a postcard to Mr Winston Churchill would have brought an irresistible application;

At St George’s Lane this afternoon, Worcester City played Albion Reserves. Worcester were unable to play Reneville, and Waterhouse (a brother of Waterhouse, one of Albion’s backs) took his place at outside right. Only about 600 where present when the game started. Despite the slippery nature of the ground the play was excellent. The final score was Worc City 2, Albion Res. 3;

The Guard of the 1st Worcs who are to serve their King and Country at the front left Shrub Hill to rejoin their battalion. They were accompanied by a party of 50 members of the Worcs Yeomanry, who are to increase their strength of that Regiment which has been in hard training for nearly 3 months. The leave taking was the occasion of one of those patriotic scenes which live long in the memories of all who witness them. Headed by the Yeomanry Band, under Bandmaster Graves, this party, accompanied by a 100 or so of those Yeomen who are to remain in the city for the present, marched to Shrub Hill. There were a large amount of the relatives of the Yeomanry and the 1st Worcs on the platform. Hearty cheers were given when Lord Coventry (Lord Lt of the County) appeared on the scene, and further cheers were given after his Lordship’s brief address to the men. The Band played the Regt March and, as the train steamed out of the station, played ‘Auld Lang Syne.’

Information researched by Sue Redding