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Key dates over December 1914

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Lives lost on this day: 0

2nd December 1914 - Capture of Belgrade, the Serbian capital, by the Austro-Hungarians

Rolling casualty count: 536

1st Batt: La Gorgue: In billets 2-4 Dec. Every man in the Battalion was given a bath in a large laundry in Estaires. Men bathed 10 at a time in large vats, while they bathed their coats and trousers were ironed and they received a lean set of underclothing after the bath.2nd Batt: Route march; 3rd Batt: Locre: 3 companies marched at 3:45pm to relieve Middlesex Regt N of Kemmel.

A Recruit’s Experiences: At a recent meeting at Redditch, Pte Jew, who enlisted at Norton 10 days previously, was asked to give his experiences, and he told his old friends in the audience that the 10 days he had been at Norton Barracks had been the happiest in his life. In simple language he made a manly appeal to them to follow his example. He said that the impression which had, unfortunately, got abroad that the conditions there were unsatisfactory was altogether wrong. The food was excellent – far better than most working men enjoyed outside – including meat 3 or 4 times a day. The sleeping accommodation was also excellent, and the work, though strange at first, was not too exacting. We believe that the impression referred to has now died down – it dates from the time when the Barracks were overcrowded – but it was a good idea to ask a young recruit to tell his fellows what he had experienced there.

Our interest is nearly as keen in the Ghoorkhas’ weapons as in their methods: and in the Victoria Institute Museum there are now 2 kookries (old and new) which fascinate us. The old one has a hilt and the new one has not. The old one has a big, deep blade; the new has a short, shallow one. Both are deadly looking weapons. They have been visited and scrutinized by numbers of the thousands of soldiers now resident in Worcester, who have not yet handled a rifle or a bit of cold steel in the form of a bayonet – and don’t know when they will get one. For lack of British weapons and of any drill with them, the British soldiers look with longing eyes on these kookries.

Belgian wounded: 13 of the Belgians at the Infirmary, who are now convalescing, are leaving Worcester this morning for Folkestone. The Worcester (No 3) VAD are assisting in taking them to the station.

Rush to the colours: On Tuesday there were 51 recruits at Norton. After Sir John French’s glowing tribute to our regiment, this rally to the colours was expected, but it is none the less gratifying.

Artillery recruits wanted: 24 men of the Artillery, 12 of the Ammunition Column and 12 of the Reserve Brigade, left Worcester this morning to join the main bodies. There are still vacancies in these forces, but very few, and men wishing to join should apply immediately. The Artillery Band, under Bandmaster Austin, has returned to Worcester. They headed the procession to the station this morning.

Information researched by Sue Redding

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