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Key dates over October 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 31

Lives lost on this day: 11

25th October 1916 - Lieutenant from theatrical family killed

Rolling casualty count: 4715

1st Batt: Batt relieved by 2nd East Lancs in Mild and Shine trenches, north east of Goeudicourt. The HQ is in Rainbow Trench.

2nd Batt: Batt less the transport , moved to Brqueterie camp, near Montauban. Paths were very muddy. Billets were in tents but men were able to get blankets.

4th Batt: At night 150 men were carrying materials to the front line.1/8th Batt: batt moved in motor buses to Bresle. The journey was very slow as the Frenchmen in charge of the buses failed to understand the orders.

10th Batt: Batt rested and then worked on digging shelters and small dug-outs.

Worcestershire Regiment Officer Killed Sec Lieut Leslie Gray of the Worcestershire Regt., who was killed in action on October 12th, was a member of Mr Courtnedge’s touring company. He belonged also to a theatrical family. His mother was Miss Frances Austin, a sister of Sam Austin, the well known theatrical manager. His father was for many years publisher of the “Observer”. At the outbreak of war Sec. Lieut. Gray, who was 25 years of age, enlisted as a private in the R.A.M.C., and received his commission in August last year.

Local Officer Honoured – D.S.O. for Major Barrington-Ward Temp.Major Victor Barrington-Ward, R.E., has been awarded the D.S.O. for: “During fire at an ammunition depot he took an engine between sheds where ammunition was exploding and brought back 15 men who were exposed to considerable danger”. Major Berrington-Ward, formerly of H.M. Inspector of Schools in the County.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team