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Key dates over October 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 10

26th October 1917 - Second Battle of Passchendaele. British and Canadian troops begin the final assault on the village.

Rolling casualty count: 8004

War Front:

2nd Batt: Working parties of every available man were supplied for work under the 253rd Coy R.E.

1/8th Batt: A and C Coys each provided 2 officers and 5 men for wiring the F Line. B Coy provided 1 officer and 5 men for carrying material to the Front Line. D Coy provided 1 officer and 50 men for work under orders of OC the Front Line.

4th Batt: All rifles were inspected by the Brigade Armourer.

14th Batt: This was the opening of the final attack on Passchendaele Ridge. Enemy shell fire was very heavy. All Camps near Ypres were shelled by long range ,high velocity guns.

Home Front:

ROYAL RED CROSS AWARDS - A list is issued today of awards of the Royal Red Cross Decoration to ladies of the nursing services. ASSOCIATES ROYAL RED CROSS (SECOND CLASS) Miss Helen Edmonson, Nurse, Rhydd Court, Aux Hpl., Hanley Castle, Mrs Florence Edwards, Sister, T.P.N.S., 1st Southern Gen Hpl, Stourbridge Section. Miss Helen Gibbs, Nurse Rhydd Court, Miss Joy McLaughlin, Nurse Malvern Aux Hpl, Miss Agnes Polson, Matron, Tardebigge Aux Hpl, Redditch.

HANBURY – Husband Helpless While His Wife was Fatally Burned – The District Coroner held an inquest at Hanbury on Tuesday, regarding the death of Mrs Emma Ballinger, aged 88, wife of Arthur Ballinger, Little Hollow Fields, Hanbury. Mrs Ellen Badger gave evidence of identification. She had assisted deceased to do housework and last saw her a month ago. He husband was bedridden and very deaf. Witness went to the house on Monday at 10.45 a.m. and found the door locked. Looking through the window she saw deceased lying on the floor. Witness fetched a neighbour, the door was forced open and Mrs Ballinger was found to be quite dead. Her clothes were all charred and she was badly burnt. There was no fire in the grate and the room was clear of smoke. Myra Hubard said the deceased was her mother. She last saw her the previous Friday, when she was in her usual health. Witness said that her father had warned her mother not to get burnt with the candle in her hand. He smelt smoke, but did not know what happened, but afterwards seemed to remember that there had been a fire. He was in the same room as deceased. He said he tried to put the fire out and shouted “fire”, but was unable to do anything, as he could not get off the bed.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team