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Key dates over November 1914

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Lives lost on this day: 4

20th November 1914 - Restrictions on soldiers' drinking

Rolling casualty count: 518

1st Batt: La Gorgue: In billets, 14 men admitted to hospital with sore and frostbitten feet.

2nd Batt: Trying day in the trenches. Several casualties from sniping. Shelled as usual. Very cold, still snowing;

3rd Batt: La Clytte: HQ 2 cos (A & C) moved to just N Kemmel at 4pm.

The 11th Worcesters: Mr Kirkham, the owner of Perdiswell, has kindly given permission for the 11th Battalion to use his Park for drilling, and this convenient and well-adapted ground is being used daily. The health of the men is quite good. This is shown by the fact that only 10 men are in hospital, which is less that one per cent of the whole, and this despite the fact that the men had wet feet on the Plain for weeks before they came to Worcester. Their training includes squad, platoon, and company drill, elementary outposts, route marches etc.

Worcester Garrison Restrictions: Col Dixon VD Garrison Commander, desired the following notice to be published:- “I hereby give notice to all publicans of the City of Worcester that they are forbidden to serve any intoxicating liquor to any soldier before the hour of 12 noon, and after the hour of 9pm. The soldiers are hereby warned that if found in a public-house before or after the hours mentioned they will be severely dealt with. The police have received instructions from the Chief Constable to assist me in carrying out the orders. Citizens should realise that their action in treating soldiers, however good their intention may be, only tends to get the soldiers into trouble, and, further, that they are helping to unfit the men for the arduous duties that lie before them in defending them in the country’s hour of need. I also appeal to all soldiers to use self-restraint in this matter, and, by doing, avoid undermining the good name they have hitherto held in the City of Worcester.”

War Tax on Beer: At a meeting of the Brewers and Bottlers of Worcester and district, held in Worcester this morning, it was unanimously agreed that, to meet the war tax, it is necessary AT ONCE to increase the present prices of beer. It was decided to charge an extra flat rate of 18s per barrel nett, and to raise the price of bottled beers and stout by 6d a doz. half pints, and 1s doz. pints. The advanced price is to come into force at once.

Towards the 120 officers and men required for the Ammunition Column 40 have already been enrolled. Young men wishing to join should present themselves at the Artillery HQ as soon as possible. The age is between 19 and 35, and all men must sign for foreign service

Information researched by Sue Redding