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Key dates over March 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 0

16th March 1917 - Sir Edward Elgar conducts his own work "For the Fallen" at Worcester Cathedral

Rolling casualty count: 5679

War Front: 2nd Batt: Major Storey lectured all officers and platoon commanders pm. Batt went on a route march between Corbie and Villers—Brettoneux.

2/7th Batt: batt had the use of baths.

SMD RFA: Registering for raids all day. Received orders to move out at short notice as it was expected that the enemy intended to withdraw.

Home Front: The “Dublin Evening Mail” states that it has learned from an unusually well-informed source that the Government has decided to close down about 8,000 or the 17,800 public-houses in Ireland. Compensation will be paid in respect of the extinguished businesses and the license duties on the others will be increased.

The three conscientious objectors, Bertram John Mansell (35); Joseph Ernest Mallard (31); and Clarence George Pickering (19), who were tried by Court-Martial at Norton Barracks on Wednesday, were sentenced to 112 days detention, and the sentence has now been confirmed.

Elgar’s “For the Fallen:” The Cathedral was crowded on Thursday evening when a “recital of solemn music” was given in memory of those who have fallen in the war. One knows from experience that these kind of services always draw a large congregation; those who have suffered loss and those who have not find such services a bracing experience. We owe much to Mr. Ivor Atkins and his helpers, notably the Dean and Chapter, for affording the people of Worcester and district opportunities of finding that consolation which is to be found in listening to noble music finely performed. But to those considerations there was added in the case of Thursday night’s recital, the interest of Sir Edward Elgar’s visit to conduct his choral work, ”For the Fallen.” Many people were unable to gain admission to the Cathedral; that was unfortunate but unavoidable.

School Attendance: Elizabeth May Carver, 39, Little Park Street, was summoned for neglecting to cause her child to attend school. Mr. F.T. Spackman, who prosecuted, said that the child made only 37 attendances out of 114. The Bench made an order for the child to attend school.

Young Gunner’s Death: Mrs. R. Jeynes, of 4, Netherton Gardens, Infirmary Walk, Worcester, has received information that her son, Gunner G. Jeynes, R.F.A, has died at the front. She has received letters of sympathy from a Chaplain and from the Sister at the Casualty Clearing Station in which Gunner Jeynes died. The Sister says that he was conscious until a few minutes before he died and sent his love to his mother. She adds: “We did everything we possibly could for him. He was a dear little boy, a splendid patient, and everyone loved him. He was called ‘the baby of the ward.’ Gunner Jeynes was aged 19, and had been in the Army for about nine months. He was formerly employed as a French polisher by the Gloucester Furnishing Co. He was a member of the St. Nicholas’ Bible Class.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team