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Key dates over March 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 29 30 31

Lives lost on this day: 1

11th March 1917 - Baghdad captured by British forces in Mesopotamia

Rolling casualty count: 5671

War Front: 2nd Batt: Batt marched 200 strong for Divine service at the Cinema hall.

3rd Batt: Batt moved to a new area at Eblinghem to engage in more training on the Training Ground.

4th Batt; Church Parade for all denominations in the YMCA , Church Army Hut and the village church.

2/7th Batt: Two men wounded.

Yeomanry/Cavalry: Horses were muffled up and taken out secretly at dawn to be trained. Men talked about favourites and “dead certs.”

Home Front: Angling:We have had a week of severe wintry weather, heavy snow on Monday and again on Friday, which is still thick on the ground. Very hard frosts each morning, and a strong, intensely cold east wind, which necessitated the donning of warmer clothing. Angling is out of the question. The snow is melting under a heav rain, and we may expect a rise in the rivers. Angling for coarse fish may be said to be over for the season. The severe weather should benefit the trout fishermen. Old hands say that their experience warrants them in saying that the heavy snow and frost are infallible signs of good summer trout fishing. We trust our local anglers may find it to be true.

Petrol Substitutes: Warning to Motorists: The Secretary of the Petrol Control Committee has issued the following warning with regard to substitutes for petrol used in motor vehicles:- The restrictions which have been imposed on the use of petrol have led to a considerable increase in the consumption of petrol substitutes. The importation of these substitutes requires the use of tonnage which it is absolutely necessary to economise. The Petrol Control Committee are therefore compelled to take measures for the limitation of the consumption of petrol substitutes used in motor vehicles, and the attention of all owners and users of motor vehicles is called to the following order which is being issued to all licensed dealers in motor spirit, and will effect as from March 10 (today): The sales of all substitutes for petrol which are sold for use in motor vehicles must be entered on the motor spirit license held by the purchaser. The monthly quantity of petrol and substitutes purchased by the owner of any motor vehicle must not exceed the monthly quantity of motor spirit authorised by the Petrol Control Committee to be purchased.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team