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Key dates over May 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 3

15th May 1917 - General Robert Nivelle replaced in command of the French armies by General Phillipe Pétain

Rolling casualty count: 6362

War Front:

2nd Batt: Batt relieved the 1st Cameroonians and marched to bivouacs near St Leger,

4th Batt: Four more platoons went up at night to assist with construction of some points. East post, south west of Monchy was shelled but without casualties. At 7pm all were visited by Gen. Sir H Beauvoir de Lisle.

2/7th Batt: the 183rd Brigade was relieved by the French 139th Reg in Holnon Line. Batt left Attilly and marched to billets at Germaine with the 2/8th Worcs.

9th Batt: Turkish reinforcements were too late to rescue their fellows. Col Ferguson’s Column withdrew.

10th Batt: Draft of another 75 other ranks received from Base.

SMD RFA: Brigade prepared to march out on the next day. The OC Brigade and the Adjutant visited the 1st Australian Batteries in neighbourhood of Beaumetz to make arrangements for our Brigade to relieve them.

Yeomanry /Cavalry: Brigade moved back to Support Line and there were operation orders for some “Special stunts.” The objective is to destroy a railway line between Aslij and El Auja, which the Turks built westward from Beersheba in 1915 for their attack on the Suez Canal. It ran parallel to the coast for 20 miles inland, probably to be out of range of the guns of British warships.

Home Front:

A Worcester Soldier: Mrs Mayman of the Swan Inn, Barbourne, has received a postcard from her son, Pte. Edward Mayman, who enlisted in a Birmingham Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and has been serving in France, stating that he is in hospital, having been wounded.

Children’s Court: George Brooks aged 15, was charged with stealing a gate-rail, value 1s. 6d., belonging to Mr. J. Philips farmer, Claines. The boy pleaded guilty, and Mr. Philips said that the boy’s influence at home was not good. P.C. Cook said that when he went to the house the rail had been sawn up. The boy was before the Court in December and P.C. Cook said that he made accusations against his parents and the constable agreed that the home influence did not appear to be good. The Chairman said that they would make enquiries to have the lad away from his present surroundings. The case would be adjourned for a fortnight to that end.

Sheep Worrying: William Birchley, Callow End, was summoned for keeping a dangerous dog. David Barnes said that he saw the dog with a dead lamb, from which he was tearing off the hindquarters. The defendant said that any dog would touch a dead lamb, but his would not touch a live one. There had been a good many dead lambs about lately. This was a sheep dog bred by himself and harmless. The Bench made an order for the dog to be kept under control and ordered the defendant to pay 6s. costs.

Asleep in Charge: Percy Jackson, 166 East Street, Worcester was summoned for being asleep in charge of a horse on April 26th. Mr. H. Coombes appeared for the defendant and pleaded guilty. P.S. Hayes said the defendant was asleep in the Kempsey Road and when witness woke him said he was very tired. Mr. Coombs said the defendant had been suffering from Influenza. Fined 10s.

Alleged Theft of Fowls: George Passey, labourer, of 15 Canal Walk, Dent Street, Worcester was charged with stealing 13 fowls belonging to Mrs. J. R. Morris, of Woodside, Whittington. Det. –Sergt. Handley, of the City Police Force said that with Inspector Price he went to the prisoner’s residence and found a bag of fowl feathers in the garden. The feathers shown to Mrs. Morris were very similar to those of the missing fowls. D.C.C. Wesley, asking for a remand for a week, said that they would be able to prove that the prisoner took some fowls home on the morning that the 13 were missed. In all probability there would be another charge. Accused asked for bail, but the police objected, he was remanded in custody.