24th May 1916 - Women Police patrols on Foregate Street

Rolling Casualty Count: 3177

At the Front:

2nd Batt: Batt on a night patrolling exercise using Very lights.

9th Batt: The 39th Brigade marched back to camp near Mason`s Mounds-a real camp with canvas tents. Men of the Tigris Corps were badly in need of rest, re-enforcement and training. The heat made active operations almost impossible.

Yeomanry /Cavalry: The Imperial Mounted Division moved up from the Support Lines to Outpost Line.

On the Home Front:

Tribunal: Mr. Dobbs appeared for Mr. Henry Charles Fudger, farmer, Blanquettes Farm, whose son Albert S. Fudger, a single man, under 25, was removed from the starred occupation list under the new regulations issued. Mr. Dobbs said that Mr. Fudger had two sons in the Army, and two of his men had gone. Albert delivered the milk, looked after the stock, and kept the books. Colonel Webb raised no objection. Conditional exemption till October 31st. To the Editor: Women Patrols: Dear Sir, with reference to “Disgusted’s” letter in one of your recent issues, I should like it to be known that since last autumn efforts have been made to improve the behaviour in the streets, etc., of Worcester by the Women Patrols. The Women Patrols are organised by the National Union of Women Workers, and work with the direct approval of the Home Office, the Admiralty, the War Office, and under the City Police. At present, however, the work is very greatly hindered by the lack of volunteers, and so much of the effort put forth tends to be wasted. With a larger number of workers, the streets could be patrolled regularly and efficiently, and many young girls might be helped at the most critical time of their lives by the kindly warnings or advice which can best be given by an older woman. I shall be very pleased to see any ladies who would like to know more of the work, at my address, 34, Foregate Street, Worcester. E.A. REA (Patrol Leader)

Good News of Missing Yeomen: Speaking at Dudley, Alderman F.W. Cook stated that he had ascertained that those of the Worcestershire Yeomanry who were taken prisoners in the fighting at Katia, Northern Egypt, were met at Jerusalem by a friendly neutral who supplied them with food and money. They were afterwards taken to Damascus, where there were several American missions, and they were sure to be well looked after.

Visit to Elmley Castle: General Sir Francis Davies (who received the K.C.B. and K.C.M.G. at the King’s Investiture on Saturday), arrived at his country seat at Elmley Castle on Tuesday, travelling from London. He arrived at Pershore station on the 4.26 train. He motored through Pershore where flags were hung out at various establishments.

Fruit Picking: a suggestion: Sir, The problem of labour for fruit picking and hay-making would be easily solved if the Headmistresses of our girls’ boarding schools, beginning with the best known one, arranged (with the parents’ permission), to give up tennis, cricket, etc., and offered the girls’ services to do the work. In Worcestershire, where so much fruit picking is required, it should be easy to plan for some parties of girl from boarding schools to pick in the mornings and others in the afternoon, thus none would get over-tired. We have hardly given our school girls a fair chance of helping the country while their brothers and fathers are fighting, and I am sure that most of them from 12 to 19 years of age would be very glad of the opportunity of being useful, and of either helping small growers gratis or for earning something for the first time perhaps, for Red Cross Hospitals or for buying War Loan certificates; they would then help in a double sense. PATRIOTISM.

Empire Day: Empire Day is being marked in Worcester today. Flags were hoisted on the public buildings and at other places, and the day was celebrated in the city’s schools. At St. Peter’s Infants’ School the Rev. G.A.K. Simpson spoke a few words to the children, encouraging them in their patriotism and admiring the enthusiastic spirit in which they sang and recited their songs and pieces. The programme was as follows: National Anthem, “A Song for England,” May Birthday Banner, The Salute, “Sing for the Flag,” “The Flag of the Free,” “Meaning of the Colours,” “Our Brothers Across the Seas,” Nelson’s Motto – Awake! Symbols of the Allies. The children then marched past, and saluted the flag in the playground. The contributions towards the Empire Day Penny Fund amounted to 19s. 6d.

Worcester Territorial Killed: Mr. H.F. Holmes of Warmstry Slip, has received news that his son, Pte. H. Holmes, in a Territorial battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment, has been killed in action. He was nearly 21 years of age, and a former employee of the Porcelain Works. His comrade wrote “He did his duty nobly out here for 14 months, and was a good soldier. He was hit in the legs and stomach, and died about an hour afterwards. I don’t think he suffered much pain. He is buried along with some of his comrades in the cemetery behind the line. All the platoon regret his death, as he was a cheery sort of chap.”

Information researched by the WWW100 team.