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Key dates over November 1916

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Lives lost on this day: 6

22nd November 1916 - Whisky restrictions broken at Saracen's Head

Rolling casualty count: 4997

2nd Batt: PT and Running took place before breakfast. Divisional Gen paid an official visit accompanied by Brig Gen Baird and they found all satisfactory.

2/7th Batt: Batt marched to huts at Ovillers.

2/8th Batt: Batt marched to billets at Albert.

Home Front:

King’s School Harvest Activities: During the latter part of the summer term occasionally teams of boys and masters lent aid to farmers in the neighbourhood in the afternoons from 2 to 7 pm. They earned over £20 at the rate of 3d an hour. Of this sum the Serbian Relief Fund received £5-11s- 6d; the French Red Cross, £2-11s-6d; and the balance was invested in £15 of War Certificates for the future benefit of the Boat Club.

Biscuits ‘Up’ Again: Biscuits and cake have suddenly increased in price. The increase has been announced simultaneously to the grocers by a number of manufacturers. Each firm has separately announced that biscuits will be increased 8s a cwt. (rather less than 1d a lb) to the retailer and cakes 2d a pound. On receipt of these notices grocers promptly put their biscuit prices up at least 1d a pound and in some cases asked 2d. At the latter figure they added more than 100 per cent profit to themselves on the maker’s price.

War Whiskey Restrictions: At the City Police Court today, four summonses were heard in connection with the sale of a bottle of whiskey. William Roberts, Saracen’s Head Hotel, was charged with unlawfully supplying, by his servant, or agent, to Albert Turner, a reputed quart of whiskey during prohibited hours; also with supplying the whiskey in a bottle not bearing a label showing the name and situation of the premises. Frederick Bradbury Fookes, of 45, The Tything, waiter, and Albert Turner, 33, Sansome Street, fitter, were charged with aiding and abetting in the sale, and Fookes with aiding and abetting in the sale without a label.

A Royal Example in 1916: The King has given orders that every unmarried man of military age in his Majesty’s Household establishments at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Balmoral, and Sandringham, no matter what the nature of his employment, is to report himself to the military authorities for service with the colours. From the outset of the War his Majesty has set the example where military service has been concerned. When war was declared he allowed as many men as could then be spared to go to the front, continuing their full pay.

Petroleum Storage Cases: F. Bullock and Co., motor engineers, 19, St. John’s, were summoned for violating a condition as to the keeping of petroleum. The Town Clerk, prosecuting, said that the defendants, under license, were allowed to keep 100 gallons of petroleum in a specially-bricked store. Instead of keeping in there the defendants allowed petroleum to remain about the premises. Altogether, Mr. Matthews (the Inspector), found 49 gallons in various receptacles. The defences was that the spirit was ordered by doctors and other customers and Mr. Bullock said that he should have sent it out if he had not been so short-handed…The Chairman said that in order to save a few minutes labour by putting the spirit in the store the defendants ran the risk of having their own and other premises burnt down. A fine of £5 was imposed.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team