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Key dates over April 1915

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Lives lost on this day: 0

22nd April 1915 - Second Battle of Ypres. Germans launch major assault on French, British and Canadian troops around Ypres and use poison gas extensively for the first time. Fighting continues until 27 May.

Rolling casualty count: 979

1st Batt: In Divisional Reserve at Bac-St-Maur; 2nd Batt: In billets at Bethune ;3rd Batt: In billets Dickebush ;

An Appeal from the Front: An appeal for a melodian for a section of our men at the front is made by Sergt. B.H. Sutton, B Company, 2nd Worcestershires, for his platoon. He says: A little music on the march goes a long way, and we are very often in the position where we could have a little music. It comes rough on the men not having an instrument of any description. Anyone who can send such an instrument should address it to Sergt. B.H. Sutton, No. 6 Platoon, B Company, 2nd Worcestershire Regt., 2nd Division, British Expeditionary Force;

The Boy Army: What promises to be a big attraction will take place on Pitchcroft on Saturday, when “Wild Australia” and a Franco-Belgian-British military tournament will be presented. The Boy Army, a new organisation, including Belgian Boy Scouts and representatives of the Allied Forces, should be an interesting feature. Military manoeuvres will be executed, and there will be an exhibition of bridge building. A display of Cossacks is advertised also, and the management have a great herd of wild horses from Siberia. There are also cowboy exhibitions from the Wild West and “Wild Australians,” a show from the Crystal Palace which has been combined with the military tournament. It is described as the largest tent exhibition in the world, and there is no lack of variety and excitement. The patriotic nature of the exhibition should appeal to many, and the fact that it employs a number of homeless Belgian boys is another point in its favour. There will be two performances, afternoon and evening;

Afghan Veteran’s 5 Soldier Sons: The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts, of Newbold House, Bromyard Terrace, have fine record of patriotic service. Mr. Ricketts is an old soldier, having served for 21 years. He was in the Afghan Campaign of 1878 and 1879, and left the Army with the rank of Colour-Sergeant. Their five sons are all with the colours. John has been with the 2nd Worcesters since the first Expeditionary Force landed in August last, he served also in the South African War with the 6th Worcesters; James William is in the Army Service Corps, and Sidney, Percy and Alan are in the 8th Worcesters; St. George’s Day: Help Sick and Wounded:

Tomorrow is St. George’s Day, and the public are asked to make a special effort on behalf of “the most urgent of all funds,” the joint collection of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John. Authorised Red Cross badges will be on sale at the price of one penny, at a large number of retail shops and most of the bookstalls. The public are asked to wear these badges in token of sympathy with the sick and wounded.

Information researched by Sue Redding