Skip to navigation | Skip to content | Skip to footer

Key dates over September 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: 7

5th September 1916 - Mess huts are made of reeds: chameleons help keep the flies down in them.

1st Batt: Batt relieved by the 2nd E Lancs at 3.pm and went ot Reserve position. Weather very wet and stormy.

2nd Batt: Batt marched 12 miles to Croisette, packs were brought in by the transport

3rd Batt: Men marched to huts at Acheux.

2/8th Batt: It was the 2nd Anniversary of the formation of the 2/8th Worcs.

10th Batt: Cleaning up the camp owing to the dirty state left by the 10th Regiment Fusiliers

Yeomanry/Cavalry: The Mess huts are made of reeds and it was found that numerous chameleons helped to keep down the flies in them.

Amongst the photographs of the King’s recent visit to France was one which showed His Majesty caressing a little dog which was the pet of one of our field dressing stations. It is said that since the dog attracted the King’s attention he has been rechristened “Georgie” by the nurses.

Hardships in “Appalling” Weather: After several unsuccessful attempts, Sir Ernest Shackleton, with the help of the Chilean Government, who placed a steamer at his disposal, has been able to effect the rescue of the men of his exploring party who were marooned on Elephant Island. All the men have now arrived safely at Punta Arenas, Chile... The King has sent Sir Ernest a warm message of congratulations on the result of his determined efforts to save his men.

A Worcester Territorial: News has been received that L.-Cpl. Harry G. Spicer, third son of the late Mr. Albert Spicer, wood turner, of Silver Street, has been accidentally wounded by a bayonet whilst in France. He is now in the 1st South African Hospital in France.

Parts of a gondola with a wire and other apparatus from a Zeppelin has been picked up East Anglia and taken to a police station, it took three men to carry it. A Zeppelin petrol tank has also been found: one of the returning airships was obviously working badly, and there is reason to believe the tank was thrown overboard. Among the early pilgrims to the scene was Mr. T. Frost, antique dealer, of 12, Friar Street, Worcester. He and his brother chartered a motor car to visit the spot as soon as they heard that the airship was down, and he says on the return journey they passed miles of motor-cars. The crowds reminded him of Derby Day at its height. He said the bodies of the crew were reduced to fragments, and of the huge structure only a great mass of wires remained. The machine fell in a lonely spot, the only building in the neighbourhood being a public-house.

Content researched by the Worcestershire World War 100 project team.