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Key dates over May 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 3

22nd May 1917 - A Father’s Neglect

Rolling casualty count: 6466

War Front:

1st Batt: Very bad weather resulted in lectures behind the drill hall.

2nd Batt: In the evening the Coys moved back to the camp at Moyenville to rest, and the drums met them at Hamelincourt and marched them past. Casualties were 250 and the strength of the Batt 280.

3rd Batt: Batt relieved the 10th Cheshires from the trenches which were practically demolished.

4th Batt: It was decided to establish 4 advanced posts in front of F Line, Elbon Trench. Four parties of 12 men, with 1 NCO plus an officer for each 2 parties, started at 12pm. B, C and D posts were established successfully but A post was abandoned because of constant shelling, with 1 officer and 2 other ranks wounded.

2/8th Batt: Batt had respirator drill and later, baths.

9th Batt: Batt working on improving the defences and 1 night in four was spent marching and digging. Parades were held between 5.30pm and 8pm when it was cooler.

10th Batt: Three of our planes were shot down during the day. Working parties building up the posts in the support line.

11th Batt: Batt took over from the 7th Wilts, a line of out-posts on high ground above Lake Doiran from Sulovo to Popovo. There was little activity. The Batt has a fighting strength of 760.

Yeomanry /Cavalry: Brigade left bivouacs and marched 9 miles to Gamli, arriving at 11pm where it bivouacked west of the Wadi.

Home Front:

The Postmastership of Worcester has been officially notified as vacant. Mr. J.W. Lucas the Postmaster, came to Worcester in 1908 succeeding the late Mr. J. Gibson. He will go into retirement after over half a century of strenuous work in responsible posts connected with our postal and telegraphic services. He began his career with the Electric Telegraph Company, at West Hartlepool in October 1864. As youth and man he went through the different grades in the office until he reached the position of Chief Clerk and Superintendent. The salary of the Worcester Postmastership is £540 per annum.

Soldiers and Licensed Premises: Sir, In response to an appeal I made, as Secretary of the Worcester Licensed Victuallers’ Association to the Commander-in-Chief, Southern Command, an Order has been issued permitting soldiers to remain on licensed premises until 9:30 pm. As some doubt seems to exist as to the scope of the Order, I shall be glad if you will permit me to point out that :- (as) The Order applies only to the City of Worcester – the County Police authorities have received no notification of the extension of the hours. (b) It does not affect the hour in the morning - a soldier cannot be served before 12 noon. (c) It relates only to week-days. Soldiers must leave at 9pm on Sundays. (d) Soldiers must not be on licensed premises after hours, even if no refreshments are supplied. (e) The Clause forbidding the purchase and removal of spirits in bottles remains in force. Much irritation was caused by soldiers having to leave before their civilian friends; and the concession removes that and it is hoped that the privilege will be in no way abused. Walter H. Jones, The Berwick Arms, Bath Road.

Enemy Hold 3 Million Prisoners: An official return of the number of war prisoners in the hands of the Central Powers on Feb. 1, 1917 is published in the German Press. Germany has 1,690,731 prisoners, including 17,474 officers; Austria-Hungary - 1,092,055; Bulgaria - 67,582; and Turkey - 23,903 prisoners. A total of 2,874,271 prisoners, of whom 27,620 are officers. The total number of British prisoners is 45,241, of which 33,129 are in Germany.

U.S. Border Closed to Slackers: Washington, Monday – It is announced by the State Department that the Canadian Government has consented to close the Canadian border against immigration from the United States pending the carrying out of national registration in the United States, the object being to prevent the escape of slackers.

Mentioned in Despatches: Co. Sergt. Major W.J. Coulter, West Yorkshire Regimen. C.-S.M. Coulter was reported to be wounded last week by a machine-gun bullet. His wife lives in Silver Street; Croix de Guerre: Capt. O. Teichmann, R.A.M. C., attd. Worcester Yeomanry.

Successful Opening Day: Worcester’s first communal war kitchen was opened this morning by the Mayor. It is being run under the auspices of a Sub-Committee of the City Food Economy Committee. The opening ceremony was performed by the Mayor (Ald. A. Carlton) on the steps of the kitchen. Good business was done at the kitchen and the “portions” were so soon disposed of that an increased quantity will be necessary tomorrow. There were many customers from the immediate vicinity of Bank Street and they were waited upon by Mrs. Knott and a number of lady helpers. While a little knot of women and children were waiting for the kitchen to open, one girl dropped her basin which smashed on the ground. The Mayor, observing the incident, put his hand in his pocket and gave her the wherewithal to buy another.

A Father’s Neglect: Thomas Lingen (48), labourer, no fixed abode, was charged with neglecting his child Thomas, aged eight years. Inspector Stanton, N.S.P.C.C., said that on Saturday last prisoner was admitted to the casual ward at the Worcester Workhouse. The boy, who accompanied him, was in a ragged and filthy condition, but he seemed fairly well nourished. He complained (in the prisoner’s presence) of sleeping under hedges. Both people had been in the Hereford Workhouse, where the boy had a pair of boots given to him. He was at present in the Worcester Workhouse. It was also an offence to travel about the country with a boy of school age. Prisoner said that he had hoped to get work but had been unable to do so. Prisoner was remanded until Saturday.

Local War Honours: The list of British officers honoured by the President of the French Republic includes: - Capt. R.H. Freeman, M.C., Worcestershire Regiment (Spec. Res.) and R.F.C. Captain Freeman was awarded the Military Cross in February last for attacking and driving off an enemy aeroplane which had forced one of our machines to land. Later he landed and rescued the pilot under very difficult conditions.