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Key dates over April 1916

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Lives lost on this day: 2

11th April 1916 - Disappearance of Evesham Public Librarian

Rolling Casualty Count: 2901

At the Front:

4th Batt: There was a lecture on gas and the use of the gas-helmet at 11.15am at brigade HQ. After the lecture the chamber was filled up with 2 cylinders of gas and when full, officers and men put on the helmets and went through it, getting used to the kind of gas used by the germans.

10th Batt: Activity in Bois du Biel and the enemy trenches in front of Neuve Chapelle reported by the RFC. The prisoner reported that it was common talk in Lille that Neuve Chapelle would shortly be attacked.

On the Home Front:

Conscientious Objectors in Evesham

At the Evesham Rural District Tribunal George Collett, market gardener of Badsey, applied for exemption on conscientious grounds. He did not believe in war in any shape or form, but in the love and brotherhood of mankind. He also appealed on the grounds that he looked after his mother and father. He said that he had had a conscientious objection ever since he could remember. He belonged to the Church of England. Applicant said that he was not prepared to do anything for his country under the military authorities. He did not think his brothers shared his feelings. Sent for non-combatant service.

George Hutchings, market gardener, Badsey applied for absolute exemption as his conscience forbade him to help in any way in the destruction of mankind as it was contrary to the teachings of Christ. He also supported his widowed mother. He said that he was the only member of his family who held conscientious objections, which he had held all his life, but which had become stronger since the War. Application refused.

Recruiting! Recruiting!

Recruiting is now open for the 2nd South Midland Brigade Royal Field Artillery (Territorial) for

1. Men who have attested whether called up or not

2. Married Men

3. Single men between the ages of 41 and 45

4. Married or single men up to the age of 45 who have been discharged on termination of engagement

No men subject to the Military Service Act 1916 will be taken

Apply Headquarters, 24 Southfield Street, Worcester

Disappearance of Evesham Public Librarian - On Wednesday morning it has become known that Mr A J Warman, who has been the Librarian at Evesham public library for a number of years had left the town the previous evening, intimating that he did not intend to return. He had written to his wife, the Chairman of the Public Library Committee and the Town Clerk announcing that he did not intend to return. While his wife was at the Theatre on Tuesday he made plans for his departure, packing a bag and taking the train to Birmingham. His departure came as a shock to his wife who received the news in a letter from her husband. During his residence in the town Mr Warman has been associated with many public and semi-public functions.

Information researched by the WW100 team.