29th March 1916 - Man fined 5s. for keeping a dog without a collar bearing the proper name

Rolling Casualty Count: 2828

At the Front:

1st Batt: Relieved the 2nd E Lancs in trenches at Souchez during the night.

2nd Batt: Practical night wiring.

8th Batt: Batt received the 6th Draft of re-enforcements consisting of 47 men. This tour in the trenches was heavy in casualties from Minenwerfer and Rifle Grenades. There were 4 killed and 22 wounded, among them Capt ES Jones.

SMD RFA: Arrival of drafts from which to form a new Battery to be known as D Battery. They will be billeted at Thievres.

2nd Lts Brindley, Gregory and Cole arrived with the drafts.

On the Home Front:

Norton Barracks: Finger Post: “Sir, - At the commencement of the war, the finger board at Barnshall Corner, Bath Road, which directed one to Norton, was either blown or knocked off the post, with the result that hundreds of men going to the Barracks have passed the turning and gone a mile out of their way to the next lane, which, in wet weather, is, in places, under water. I have seen some today going through it over their shoe tops, who informed me that they had come from Worcester. Officers are passing daily. I have drawn the attention of some of them to it, with no result. It is a shame that men who have left their home should have their ardour and feet damped before getting to Barracks, for want of proper direction.” Eye Witness.

Worcester Lady’s Brother “Gassed.” Mrs. W. Willis, of Sansome Walk, has bene informed that her brother, Gunner Leo Caffrey (attached to the Canadians) is at Epsom Military Hospital suffering from the effects of gas fumes. He was home on leave recently, and, strangely enough, his brother, Corpl. J.E. Caffrey (Coldstream Guards) arrived home practically at the same time. Neither knew of the other’s whereabouts, but they ultimately met under happy circumstances, as the Corporal managed to be present at the wedding of his brother. The day following his wedding Gunner Caffrey left for the front and was “gassed” two days later. He expresses regret that he does not contemplate participating in the forthcoming “great advance.”

No Dog Collar: Frank G. Boddington, 3, Mealcheapen Street, was fined 5s. for keeping a dog which did not wear a collar bearing the proper name. P.C. Godsman gave evidence. The defendant had been fined before for a similar offence.

General Infirmary: Week ending 25th March: Patients admitted 17, discharged 26, in the House, 85 (including 5 wounded soldiers and 15 Royal Engineers and other troops).

The gallant action of Lce. –Corpl. Neil of the Shropshire Regiment was the subject of warm commendation by the Shrewsbury Magistrates before whom Mary Perry, Cardiff, was charged with attempted suicide on Saturday night. Magistrates were pleased to recommend that Lce.-Corpl. Neil be granted the Royal Humane Society’s medal. As Lce.-Corpl. Neil is an invalid, his gallantry is the more commendable. Neil met the woman alongside the River Severn. She asked the way to the river, and whether it was deep. The woman then crossed the Welsh-bridge, and Neil, being suspicious of her motive, followed her. Afterwards he heard a splash, and saw the woman floating out towards the middle of the river, and swam out and brought her to the bank. The police stated that Perry is the wife of a soldier and has four children. Prisoner’s mother promised to take charge of her, and she was discharged.

Some progress has been made in repairing the damage done by Monday evening’s blizzard, but telephonic communication between Worcester and Malvern, Droitwich, Evesham, and other places in the district is still cut off. Gangs of workmen were out last night and again today, and they are being assisted by members of the Royal Engineers. The havoc caused, however, is of such a widespread character –posts are down in all directions, and some miles of wire have been reduced to a tangled mass- that the whole of the work is not likely to be completed for two or three weeks…The snow drifts yesterday caused great delay on the railway. The trains came and went practically as they pleased. Most of them were late, some being many hours behind time.

J.T. Mordecai (42), 13, South Chestnut Street, was admitted to the Infirmary this morning, suffering from a cut nose. It is stated that the injury was sustained by a telegraph pole which fell on him.

Of all the trees on the College Green, one only remains. A few weeks ago one was brought down by a gale, and its condition, due to age, led to the employment of a woodman to fell others for the safety of the Green. The gale of Monday so supplemented the workman’s work that only one tree was left upstanding. The elms are not nearly so old as many people thought. They are to be replaced with limes.

Worcester Railwayman Killed: On Tuesday morning a distressing fatality occurred near Malvern Wells (G.W.R.) Station. Harold Lewis, aged 35, of Hamilton Road, Worcester, I a painter’s labourer, was engaged with four other men, in clearing the snow from the points on the line. It is supposed that in stepping out of the way of a goods train he failed to notice the approach of an express, which knocked him down, death being instantaneous. The deceased was married..

Information researched by the WWW100 team.