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Key dates over March 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 0

18th March 1917 - More on the potato shortage

Rolling casualty count: 5684

War Front: 2nd Batt: Batt went to divine worship at Tivoli Theatre.

4th Batt: Orders were received to move on the 19th so baths and a service were cancelled. There was an inspection of Coys by the CC. Transport went in stages to Molliens-Vidane with orders to spend the night at Daours and Angoeuves.2/7th Batt: Coys left their positions and moved to dug-outs in Polygon Wood in the old front line.2/8th Batt: At 10am the Batt advanced and occupied a line of trenches near Hyencourt. There was no sign of the enemy. Four men evacuated sick.

10th Batt: Batt arrived in Areamerris.

SMD RFA: The OC Brigade and Battery Cs reconnoitred for positions in and south of Biaches and Barlieux area. There was no enemy in range.

Home Front: The Potato Shortage: Large Queues in Worcester: Though Worcester has not shared the noisy demonstrations which have taken place over the potato shortage, it has had some excitement this week, and particularly today. Early this morning the shops of Mr. James, Pump Street, and Mr. Ford, Little Angel Street, were besieged by a crown of Worcester housewives eager for a supply. The larger gathering was in Pump Street, Mr. James having announced that he would commence the selling, at 10 o’clock, of a consignment of a few tons, which arrived on Friday. Before that hour the rush was such at that the aid of the police was sought, and two inspectors and a constable formed the women into a long queue. At a quarter to ten two assistants started selling, each customer receiving 2lbs., but fast as they served, they appeared to make little or no impression on the queue, the end of which grew as rapidly as the front of it was broken. It was an orderly throng, and, to quote the police, “as quiet as a Church congregation.” In Little Angel Street there was a weary wait and early disappointment . Mrs. Ford had no potatoes in the shop, though she was expecting a ton at 11.30. The crowd soon grew to about 100, where also a queue was necessary, but they took the situation philosophically, and awaited the potatoes. The arrival of carrots and parsnips, delivered in bags, gave rise to the only incident. As soon as it drew up some women made a rush to the lorry, and they would not accept the assurance that the bags contained no potatoes until ocular proof was afforded. When the potatoes arrived there was relief both on the part of the buyers and sellers, and business started at once.

Worcester Tribunals: Frank A. Edwards (31), married, grocers’ traveller, Kemble Cottage, Lansdowne Crescent, employed by Messrs. Jones and Davis. The certificate of conditional exemption granted on July 10th, 1916, on the employer’s claim, was reviewed. Mr. Prosser did not think it was necessary to have travellers at the present time. The Chairman suggested that a woman could do the work. He remarked that before the War women were supposed to be house ornaments, but now that position had been “put in the shade.” It was stated that Edwards was formerly classified as C3, but had since passed for general service. Certificate of exemption withdrawn.

Worcester Man Loses a Foot: Pte. F. Swain, of the Royal Fusiliers, is in hospital in Glasgow with an attack of trench feet, which has necessitated the amputation of one foot. He is the son of Mr. H. Swain, of 22, Broad Street, and had been in France for 18 months.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team