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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: 2

28th March 1917 - Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) formed in Britain, offering women the chance to serve directly in the armed forces. Over 57,000 women enrol in the WAAC, with 9,000 serving in France.

Rolling casualty count: 5701

War Front: 2nd Batt: The armoury Sgt inspected rifles. Sgt Cubberly conducted a range-finding class and the Intelligence Officer conducted a scouting class pm.

4th Batt:There was no training and the day was given over to interior economy and preparations for departure on the 29th. Every officer and other rank fired a rifle grenade.

2/7th Batt: batt moved to Monchy La Gache. B and C Coy helping 2/8th Worcs in building strong posts.

2/8th Batt: Batt took over the Line in Villeveque with 2 Coys. HQ and 2 Coys at Trefcon. Men digging all night in snow and rain.

10th Batt: Artillery active all day on both sides. A patrol found the Nagspot unoccupied but a working party in the rear was seen filling sand-bags. The patrol threw bombs at the covering party which scattered in disorder.

SMD RFA: D and C Coys moved forwards a sector to Longavesnes. B Coy moved into reserve at Buire.

Home Front: Rescue: On Sunday afternoon Sapper Ernest Greenway, of the Royal Engineers, son of Mr. A. Greenway, 8, Bridge Street, was on the Promenade, when he saw a boat in which were two young men and two girls, capsize. He immediately dived after them. He brought one of the girls to the bank, and then went after the other, who had sunk twice before he reached her. The two young men who were in the boat could only swim a little, but they managed to get ashore, and helped Greenway to rescue the second girl. Two years ago Sapper Greenway, who is only 18, saved a little girl from the Severn. He was educated at St. Clement’s School, and used to attend the swimming lessons given to the boys.

City Police Court: Absentee: James Frederick Harris, 12 Court, 10 House, Dolday, was charged with being an absentee from the 7th Training Reserve Battalion. D.S. Penlington gave evidence. Prisoner said that he was sent from his regiment to Norton to work on the land. He received a telegram on Sunday, and left the Barracks and called at his home, thereby missing his train. He was going back when the sergeant arrested him. He was remanded for an escort.

To the Editor: Food Production & Buried Antiquities: Worcestershire Archaeological Society: Sir, - This year thousands of acres of new ground will be broken for the cultivation of potatoes etc., and busy spades are now at work over the English country-side. Few people realise how many interesting things of great archaeological value lie close under the turf of our old country. Among the treasures that will be found are Roman and Celtic pottery (please do not smash it), bronze weapons, or ornaments and tools, coins of every age, flint axes, arrow heads, and stone tools of every character. May I ask readers to make note of my address, and if anything of interest turns up and the finder will kindly communicate with me I will get it properly noted or recorded by our Society. Will other country papers please copy? Charles J. Houghton. 13, St. Swithin Street, Worcester.

Flying Fatality in a Gale: A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned at an inquest at Aldershot on Lieut. John Leask, Royal Flying Corps who was caught in a blizzard while flying a single-seater aeroplane. Police eye-witnesses stated that the wind slung the machine completely round, but the pilot regained control. The aeroplane was, however, swung round a second time, turned two somersaults, and nose-dived from a height of 500 feet. The pilot’s neck was broken.

Entertainment at Battenhall: On Saturday evening, Miss Wilding took a concert party to Battenhall Hospital. The entertainment was a miscellaneous one. Miss Harding sang, Misses Pestridge & Smith and Mr. Malcolm gave two sketches, Miss Bradburn danced and played the piano. Mr. Arthure, accompanied by Mr. Bishop, played the mandolin. Mr. Malcolm gave some excellent conjuring. The whole programme was much appreciated, and there were many encores.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team