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Key dates over November 1914

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Lives lost on this day: 0

30th November 1914 - Charlie Harding gets Commission

Rolling casualty count: 532

1st Batt: St Vaast ‘A’ Lines: Germans sent bombs into the right Platoon of B Coy and the left Platoon of D Company. Relieved from trenches and marched by companies to Divisional Reserve Billets at La Gorgue.

2nd Batt: Brigadier wishes some trenches constructed on an experimental pattern, also experiments in making charcoal, and carrying the goat skin waistcoat. A draft of 161 other ranks arrived in the evening, conducted by an officer of the Shropshire LT. On man left behind enroute injured by a train accident. Weather mild and moist;

3rd Batt: Locre: marched with 8th Brigade to billets at Locre.

News has reached Worcester that Colour-Sergeant Charles Harding, 5th son of Mr John Harding, of 35, Seabright Avenue, has obtained a commission in the 8th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regt. Lieutenant C Harding was educated at St Peter’s School, Worcester, from which he obtained a scholarship, which enabled him to attend the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, where for three years he was a successful student. Afterwards he became a pupil teacher at his old school, St Peter’s, leaving there to take up the position of assistant teacher at Pershore.

Mrs Willmore, of 18 Carey Place, Chestnut Walk, has received a letter from her son, Pte Willmore, of the 1st Worcs, stating that he is at the General Hospital at Boulogne, suffering from frost-bitten feet. He states that he was in the trenches for six days, and has been in hospital (where he is very kindly treated) for a fortnight. He adds “My heart goes out to those poor fellows still in the trenches.”

Among the many whose lives were lost by that internal explosion on HMS Bulwark in Sheerness Harbour was Chief Gunner AJ Breakspeare. The deceased was the son of a former storekeeper at Messrs Hardy and Padmore’s foundry, who lived in the Arboretum, and he had a brother who used to be prominently associated with the Worcestershire Harriers. His position carried substantial emoluments, and if Gunner Breakspeare had lived to serve another 12 months he would have been entitled to retire on a good pension. An old Arboretum chum, who testifies to Gunner Breakspeare’s interest and perseverance in his work, says that he was looking forward to his early return to Worcester to settle down.

The 8th Battalion of the WR were inspected at their place of training on Wednesday by the Honorary Colonel, the Earl of Plymouth, who was received with a general salute, the Battalion presenting arms. Colonel Peake, the Commanding Officer, thanking the noble lord, said he could report to their Honorary Colonel that the battalion were a credit to the Territorial Force – their smartness, keenness, and endurance were wonderful.

Information researched by Sue Redding