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Key dates over August 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 4

9th August 1917 - HORSES FOR FARMERS

Rolling casualty count: 7001

War Front:

1st Batt: 10 officers joined the Batt.

2nd Batt; All Coys paraded for engineering on the training ground for Coy attacks as the 19th Brigade were using the shore. Lt Col HE Gogarty took over command of the Brigade and Lt Col TK Parker took over the Batt temporarily.

3rd Batt: The Batt marched to Bellewarde ridge in support of the 74th Infantry Brigade, with 2 Coys going into the trench-post in the rear of the Ridge. 2 Coys relieved the 13th Cheshire Reg at Lake Farm.

4th Batt: More Coy training. A map model was made of the ground which the Batt was to attack.

10th Batt: Batt moved to Corunna Camp at Westoutre.

Yeomanry /Cavalry: The Reg took its place in the Front Line under orders of the 13th Cavalry Brigade, relieving 9th Hodson`s Horse. A few days were spent pleasurably as there was water, trees and thousands of partridge. There was little enemy activity.

Home Front:

HORSES FOR FARMERS – Scheme to Supply 30,000 Animals for Team Labour – The Board of Agriculture has decided to buy 30,000 horses to supply team labour for farmers throughout England and Wales. A representative from each county has been appointed by the Board to assist in the purchase of the horses, which will be allotted proportionately to each county and it is understood that ploughmen and soldier ploughmen will also be provided.

WORCESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR – The Late Captain F O’Brien – Colonel’s Tribute – Mrs O’Brien has received the following letter from Lt Col Davidge, who commands the Battalion in which her son was serving: It is with deepest regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, killed in the big attack on July 31st, whilst most gallantly leading his Company in the attack. His death was instantaneous. He was shot through the head by a sniper hidden in a wood. He was my most trustworthy and capable Company Commander and his loss causes a gap that cannot be equally filled.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team