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Key dates over January 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 4

28th January 1917 - Milk pony runaway down Tallow Hill

Rolling casualty count: 5369

War Office: 2nd Batt: Coys were employed in improving the Lines under the Pioneer Sergeant. A cookhouse and an incinerator were started. A voluntary service was held in the dug-out which was afterwards used as Divisional Drying Shed.

4th Batt: Divine service was held at 11am in the Church Army huts.

2/7th Batt: Church parade at 11am.A draft of 52 men arrived from Base. B Coy sent no.5 Platoon to Corneshotte for special training as Brigade Representative Platoon.

4th batt: Church Parade am. C and D Coys went by bus to Bertrancourt.

Home front: Milk Pony’s Mad Gallop: A runaway, which resulted in considerable damage, though happily in no personal injury, took place on Friday afternoon. The milk cart of Mr. M. Darlington, Lyppard Grange, had been driven into the Workhouse grounds with the afternoon supply. When she got down from the cart the girl noticed that the bridle bit was not properly fixed. She went to fix it, when the pony bolted. It dashed out of the Workhouse yard and down Tallow Hill. Before proceeding far one wheel caught the pavement. This caused a general crash. The float broke from the shafts, all the milk churns and cans (including the Workhouse supply) were thrown out, and, of course, the milk ran down the hill. The pony, despite a very bad shaking, continued its mad career down the hill, over the canal bridge, and into George Street before it was stopped. Luckily one of the nurses from the Workhouse saw the pony approaching, and she dashed down a side street with some children who were in the track of the runaway.

Territorial’s Illness: Sergt. Albert Edwards, a Worcester Territorial, has been admitted to an Irish hospital. He went out with the Battalion and has been home on leave on two occasions. He had been in the trenches but a few days on his return from his last leave when he was taken ill, was operated upon, and invalided. He is going on well.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team