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Key dates over May 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: 8

8th May 1917 - Wilful damage by boy

Rolling casualty count: 6333

War Front:

4th Batt: Coys confined to huts for classes as heavy rain kept falling.

2/7th Batt: 2nd Lt Heap took out a patrol for purposes ground towards Cepy Farm but they came under which prevented further progress. Another patrol under 2nd Lt Jordan advanced to north end of Kilworth Sticks. Four other ranks lay out as a listening post within 20 yards of Cepy farm.

9th Batt: “Ferguson’s Column” engaged with the enemy at Dishdani and Imam Abdur Rahman.

10th Batt: Baths allotted to men at Transport Farm. Working party of 390 men and 8 officers working on dugouts and burying cable.

11th Batt: Plans for a renewed attack so Batt moved to cover in Bath Valley. The attack was to be at night which was calm with bright moonlight but an unexpected white mist rose from the ground and filled Jueaux Ravine. The attack gained opposing trenches but the enemy fire was fierce. The Batt fell back to camp at Pivoines.

Yeomanry/Cavalry: Batt moved to the sea-shore at Tel-el Marakek where they enjoyed a weeks rest and did some washing. For 6 weeks men had lived in their clothes.

Home Front:

New Dog Feeding Regulation: Capt. Bathurst informed Mr. Perkins that to feed dogs with rye and rice was a summary offence against the Defence of the Realm Regulations, punishable by a fine not exceeding £100 or imprisonment for the maximum term of six months. The feeding of dogs with other cereals or meat was not at present prohibited. The feeding of certain classes of horses with oats would be prohibited by Order to be issued shortly.

A Worcester Bombadier: Mrs. J. Huband, of No. 1, Angel Street, received an official intimation on Sunday morning that her youngest son, Bombadier Horace Huband, died in a Rouen hospital from wounds received in action. Deceased, who was 27 years of age, was an old St. Martin’s boy and before the war, an assistant at Messrs. Cooper’s, silversmiths, The Cross. He was a well-known local footballer, playing for the Early Closers, the Shop Assistants, the Rainbow Hill Early Closers and the Celtic.

Damage by Boy: Harold Yarnold (11), Gregory’s Bank, was charged with doing wilful damage to a wooden shutter at Messrs. D. W. Barker’s Ltd., Gregory’s Bank. Charles Jones, foreman at the works, said he saw defendant throw a brick through a shutter, doing damage to the amount of 2s. Defendant denied that he threw a brick at the shutter; he threw it on the ground. Defendant was fined 1s. and admonished. The Chairman told the boy that if he or his companions came before the Court again they would be more severely dealt with.

Accident: Reginald Salisbury (17), a boots at the Central Hotel, The Cross, was admitted to the Infirmary this morning, suffering from a cut to the foot. His foot had been caught in the lift. He was detained.

Soldiers Entertained: On Monday afternoon, Mrs. Barlow, of Whittington Hall, took 47 wounded soldiers and some of the medical staff of the Infirmary to Holt Fleet. They went in two motor boats and had tea in picnic style on the banks. They had a most enjoyable tea.