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Key dates over February 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 4

8th February 1917 - Dudley soldier's tale of trench war

Rolling casualty count: 5425

War Front: 2nd Batt: Batt relieved in the evening by the Cameroons, relief taking a long time owing to the congestion on Mary Avenue. Batt occupied the Reserve Position relieving the 5th S Rifles as follows; 2 Coys at HQ at Frise Bend, B Coy at Howitzer Wood, half a coy at Ommiscourt Defences.

4th Batt: Batt moved to Mansel Camp. 2nd Lts Corden, Alkin and Bradman rejoined from Houssoye where they had attended courses.

Yeomanry/Cavalry: Some deserters were found very hungry as they had been robbed by Bedouins.

Home Front: Worcester’s Warm Work in the West – Keeping the German’s Busy – Stories of exciting incidents in the trench raid warfare on the West Front in which the Worcestershires took part are told by a Dudley sergeant, who is now in hospital in this country. “Our lads are only just warming up to their work, and one of these days the sparks will begin to fly. We are able to do what we like with Fritz just when and how we like, and if the order went forth tomorrow we could clear the Huns out of all the country up to the Rhine. I don’t say it would be child’s play doing it, but you can take it from me our lads are equal to the job and will do it, never fear. Old Fritz is on tenterhooks all the time. We never give him rest, and he never knows when we are likely to drop over, night or day, for a friendly chat at the end of a bayonet.

St Barnabas Scouts – Tea, Concert and Badge Awards – The annual tea and concert in connection with St Barnabas “L” troop of Boy Scouts took place in the Iron Room, Rainbow Hill. The boys had a jolly tea, and afterwards they gave a concert. There was a long and well varied programme and the way in which it was rendered was a tribute to the coaching of Mr and Mrs Potter, who have the ability to teach the boys to entertain, in addition to teaching them everything they should know about Scout craft.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team