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Key dates over February 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 7

26th February 1917 - Women's jobs with the Army in France

Rolling casualty count: 5545

War Front: 2nd Batt: The raid continued with much work being carried out at night.

4th Batt: A heavy bombardment of our front lines, Support and Reserve lines was carried out owing to a relief taking place.

2/8th Batt: relieved at night by 2/5th Warwicks Reg. Batt went to billets at Vanvilliers.

9th Batt: Batt attacked by marauding Arabs while they were watering the mules but they were driven off.

10th Batt: Batt moved to Euston Dump.

SMD RFA: Batt HQ moved into action to command the left sub group. The 8th Division took the left under the command of Lt Col Lord Wynford.

Home Front: New Bread Order – Bread Must be 12 Hours Old – The Food Controller issued on Monday night, the following Order: (1) No bread which had not been made at least 12 hours shall be sold or offered or exposed for sale. (2) No loaf of bread shall be sold or offered or exposed for sale, except in the shape either of a one-piece oven bottom loaf or a tin loaf. (3) No currant bread, sultana bread, or milk bread shall be sold or offered or exposed for sale. (4) No sugar shall be used in the making of bread. (5) No baker or seller of bread shall exchange any bread for other bread which he has sold. (6) All bread shall be sold by weight and not otherwise, except bread sold for consumption on the premises of the seller. (7) No loaf of bread shall be sold, or offered or exposed for sale unless it’s weight be one pound or an even number of pounds. (8) No roll of bread shall be sold, or offered or exposed for sale, except a roll weighing two ounces. The Order comes into force March 12.

Women with the Army – Work, Age and Pay in France – With reference to the employment of women with the Armies in France, the following is a summary of the terms and conditions of service: For twelve months, subject to termination earlier at the discretion of the Army Council upon one month’s notice, except for misconduct or incompetence, when one week’s notice will be given. There are five main categories of employment: Clerical, typist, shorthand typist. Cooks, waitresses and domestic staff. Motor transport service. Storehouse women checkers and unskilled labour. Telephone and postal services: and in addition there will be certain miscellaneous services which do not fall within the above classification. Rates of Pay – Ordinary clerical work and typists 25s to 27s per week, according to efficiency; Head cooks and waitresses £40 per annum, cooks, waitresses and housemaids £26 per annum, with free board and lodging together with 6d per week for personal washing. Superintendents 1st class, 52s.6d per week; second class 46s., head drivers 40s., qualified driver mechanics 35s, washers 20s.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team