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Key dates over February 1917

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

Lives lost on this day: 9

15th February 1917 - Thousands of soldiers redirected to agricultural labour

Rolling casualty count: 5473

War Front: 2nd Batt: D Coy made a demonstration attack using the Trench Formation. The Brigadier and Cos of other batts watched the event and were satisfied that it was good.

4th Batt: All officers ,under 2nd Lt Perkins, did PT at 9am.

2/8th Batt: Batt resting at Demuin. CO and 2nd in Command visited the Kratz section of the Line. It is less cold but still freezing at night.

9th Batt: A sharp fight carried the outposts still farther along the river but at bitter cost. 2nd Lt WB Busby was mortally wounded and the Batt MO, Capt EWS Martin RAMC, who went to his aid was also mortally wounded. Many tributes were made to the MO -“No medical Officer we ever had was more beloved by all…”

Home Front: Teacher’s Guild – Worcester and Malvern Centre – The annual meeting was held at the Lyttleton Schools. Mr A H Davis MA read a most interesting paper on “some thoughts and questions after 30 years teaching”. After tracing the growth of modern teaching methods, Mr Davis contrasted the great men of today with those of earlier generations, and propounded the following questions:- 1. Is it possible to make or induce boys to think (2) Is the power of the human brain increasing or decreasing? Mr Davis’ address led to an animated discussion, in which all present took part. Mr Davis was cordially thanked.

30,000 Soldiers for the Land – An important arrangement has been made between the War Office and the Board of Agriculture for placing a further supply of military labour at the services of farmers for spring cultivation. In addition to the allotment of 15,000 men now attached to the Home Defence Forces whose labour will be made available to farmers under the arrangements hitherto in force, a further body of 15,000 men will be detached and quartered in different parts of the country.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team