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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: 4

3rd February 1917 - USA breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany as a result of the resumed submarine campaign

Rolling casualty count: 5389

War Front: 2nd Batt: Our artillery bombarded the enemy between 10.15pm and 4am with some effective shooting. The Germans retaliated but caused little damage.

4th batt: Still very cold. A fatigue party of 5 officers and 220 other ranks was found to work on the pipe-line. Rest of Batt paraded in drill order under Major Pennyman for a route march in the snow in the direction of Maricourt.

9th Batt: Attacks made by the 7th Glos and the 14th Division early on and then Batt took over the 7th Glos position. Advances repulsed by a series of Turkish posts.

Home Front: Malvernian’s Military Medal – Sergeant James Presdee, of the Worcestershire Regiment, whose home is at Western Cottages, Quest Hills, Malvern Link, has been awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery on the Somme. He has been serving since 1914, but is now in hospital in Liverpool with trench fever.

Food Rations – Voluntary System - Appeal for Self Denial – In a statement issued on Friday nigh, Lord Devenport, Food Controller, appeals to the nation to observe voluntarily fixed rations of bread, meat and sugar. The necessity for some curtailment of the nation’s food is urgent.

Worcestershire and the War – Tewkesburian Awarded M.C. – Lieut Bert Green of the Welsh Regiment, son of Mr J Green, has been awarded the M.C. The Lieutenant is now in hospital in Denbighshire, where he is recovering from a bullet wound.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team