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Key dates over August 1916

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Lives lost on this day: 53

24th August 1916 - Mr Watkins of Abberley has been informed of the death of his Son, Pte Joseph Watkins

At the Front:

2nd Batt; Preliminary bombardment began at 3.45pm and 14th divisions attacked at 5.45pm from Delville Wood. About 20 germans were captured and attack was successful. The 2nd objective was reached and consolidated . Several officers were wounded and Lt RV Dunnett was shell-shocked. Other ranks were 141 killed, wounded or missing.

3rd batt: batt attacked and captured german trenches resulting in 1 officer killed , 5 wounded and other ranks had 24 killed and 123 wounded. However 2 german machine guns were captured and 80 prisoners were taken.

4th Batt: Bayonet training was improved by Y Coy erecting a frame to hang sandbags on.

8th Batt: heavy bombardment of enemy trenches at 6.00pm. 2nd Lt Symons and 13 other ranks wounded.

SMD RFA: Attack by Wilts and 3rd Worcs on Hindenburg Trench north east of Leipzig Salient.

On the Home Front:

An Abberley Soldier –Mr Watkins of Abberley has been informed of the death of his Son, Pte Joseph Watkins, who was killed in action on July 23rd. Pte Watkins joined the Army on January 1st 1915, enlisting into the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was sent out to France early in the present year. He had previously served in the Worcestershire Territorial from March 1906 to March 1908. The first information came from one of his comrades, who picked up a pocket book belonging to the deceased, near the trenches and thought it best to return the contents to his friends. Mr and Mrs Watkins have two other sons serving with the forces.

Information researched by the WWW100 team.