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Key dates over August 1915

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Lives lost on this day: 1

4th August 1915 - War Anniversary meeting at the Guildhall

Rolling casualty count: 1639

At the Guildhall the citizens assembled in Common Hall – the first convened in the city for many years – recorded their determination to continue to a victorious end the present struggle. This war anniversary meeting, like hundreds of others held all over the country, showed something of the firm resolve of Britishers to fight the implacable foe until the cause of liberty and justice shall triumph. The gathering which filled the Assembly Hall was representative of the public, religious, social and industrial life of the city, and the meeting was one of the most memorable ever held in the city;

At the Children’s Court, Sidney Powell (13), Thomas Christian (13) and Ernest Gunnell (12), all of 10 Court, Tybridge Street, were summoned for damaging two currant trees and an apple tree (growing on the land of James Hayes) to the extent of 2s. 6d. All pleaded not guilty. Mr. Hayes went to see Mr. Watts, the schoolmaster, who promised to investigate. Later, that gentleman wrote to the witness, stating that he had punished the defendants, making them write, “Robbing gardens,” all day;

8th Worcesters in the Trenches: We understand that the 8th Worcesters at the front, who have been out of the firing line for some time, have now gone into the trenches for eight days, after which they will be in general reserve for a similar period;

D.C.M.s for Worcesters: Pte. J. Williams, 1st Battalion: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on May 10, 1915, near Rouges Bancs, when he went out on several occasions in front of our lines, exposed to a heavy fire and at great personal risk, and brought in eleven men of another regiment, who had been lying out since the morning of May 9. Later Pte. Williams reconnoitred a sap over open ground between the lines, and found over 60 wounded men. In conjunction with Corpl. Frazier he organised a rescue party of volunteers, and during the afternoon and night they brought in 80 more wounded men;

Women and Economy: Sir, - The Government are urging us all to be economical. The latest movement to improve the importance of economy is that promoted by a number of distinguished ladies who ask members of their sex to give a pledge “to buy as few luxurious articles of clothing as possible.” Cannot these ladies induce the members of the Women’s Emergency Corps to pay some regard to the question? Our men volunteers can manage to train and to drill without uniform, but the women encourage each other to spend money on a uniform which is not indispensable. I know of no duties that they are doing which cannot be done as well in ordinary dress as in uniform. Not even those members with ample means ought to spare the money to buy uniform in this crisis; but when one hears that young girls (in one case a servant getting a few pounds a year), are advised to equip themselves in uniform there seems to be reason for protest. The greatest service the women can do for us at the present time is to refrain from causing labour; and to cease trying to look impressive or picturesque. ‘SUFFRAGIST.’

Information researched by Sue Redding