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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: 10

5th February 1917 - Women's service

Rolling casualty count: 5410

War Front: 2nd Batt: There was considerable enemy artillery during the night. Batt relieved by 9th HLI around 5pm.

4th Batt: batt relieved the 10th Middlesex reg. It was a quiet relief except thet HQ party was delayed by heavy shelling of HQ.”nd Lt Williamson took command of the Morval Carrying party and 10 men were left at the lone tree to act as a water party.

9th Batt: Batt advanced under Capt NJ Ainsworth and charged a post with bayonets and 50 men were surprised and routed .

10th Batt: Much artillery fire from both sides and there were casualties. Two patrols went out at night but there was bright moonlight so they were soon fired on so they withdrew. Batt relieved by 8th Glos Reg.

SMD RFA: Command passed from the French at 8am and registration was carried out.

Home Front: Women’s Service – 30,000 Workers Wanted – Many offers of individual service from women have been received by the Director General of National Service since the announcement made on Thursday that a Women’s Department was in process of formation. Much enthusiasm has been shown in the national cause and many enquiries made. In order however to avoid misunderstanding and disappointment, Mrs Tennant, Director of the Women’s Department, wishes to make it known that individual offers o0f services should not be registered at present. It is proposed to organise the national service of women strictly in relation to the ascertained demand.

The Cold Snap – Records of Frosts Long Ago – Because of the biting north east winds, the cold snap of the past fortnight has seemed exceptional. But in reality the temperatures recorded have been by no means abnormal. The lowest local readings have indicated not more than eight or ten degrees of frost. Yet during the last prolonged spell of cold that was experienced, in three successive nights early in 1895 there were registered 25,24 and 26 degrees of frost; and there were three months of intense cold when the thermometer fell to zero.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team