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Key dates over October 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 150

9th October 1917 - DANCOX BRAVERY EARNS VICTORIA CROSS AT POELCAPELLE

Rolling Casualty Count: 7876

Pte Fred Dancox of Worcester, 4th Bn Worcestershire Regiment, showed exceptional bravery in singlehandedly storming a German machine gun post capturing the gun and taking enemy prisoners. This was part of a successful attack that won many awards, took 200 prisoners but cost over 170 men killed, wounded or missing.

The 144th Brigade (48th Division) with 1/7th and 1/8th Worcestershire Territorial Battalions attacked further south but suffered severe losses. The attack halted after a desperate day's fighting where the Brigade lost 800 men. As they entrenched for the night, hot cocoa and rum were brought up the lines. The Officers were sent two bottles of champagne.

4th Batt: At 2.30am Coys lined up on the tape. Zero hour was 5.20am at first light and the barrage started. The Brombeek Stream was crossed easily and the leading Coys gained their objective on time at 6am but there was much enemy opposition. At 7am Batt HQ moved forward to Namur Crossing. The 2nd objective was taken and consolidated with help from the Irish Guards. The Newfoundland Reg. formed up by this line and advanced to the 3rd objective. The Batt took 6 officers and 200 other ranks prisoner and captured 5 machine guns. The Batt lost 2 officers, 20 other ranks and there were 5 officers wounded and 107 other ranks wounded.

10th Batt: There was Adjutant`s Parade then bayonet fighting and musketry am. 2nd Lts AJ Andres and G Bice attached to Batt from the 10th Royal Warwicks.

14th Batt: Strong working parties were sent forward to to Poelcapelle. 200 men laboured along the road from Wijdendrift to Langemarke and accomplished good work under heavy fire. There were several casualties, 2nd Lt SE Couves was killed plus 2 other ranks. 19 other ranks were wounded.

Home Front:

FRUIT PULPING BEWDLEY – Extensive Operations of New Factory – A large measure of success has already been achieved by the factory set up by the Food Production Department in Bewdley for the pulping of the enormous crops of plums and damsons in Worcester and Salop. Time did not allow of an elaborate scheme, but Mr Charles Marden, organiser and manager of the department, pressed forward the delivery of machinery and structural alterations with the result that the plant commenced operations on the 16th ult.

FINED FOR TREATING SON – Fernhill Heath Innkeeper’s Offence – At the Worcester County Petty Sessions today, Alfred Brown the licensee of the Live and Let Live, Fernhill Heath, pleaded guilty to two charges, one of supplying intoxicating liquor to a person not paying for it and the other for serving liquor after closing hours.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team