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Key dates over November 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

Lives lost on this day: 4

14th November 1917 - 10 shilling fine for causing an obstruction

Rolling casualty count: 8124

War Front:

2nd Batt: The Australians came up during the day to take over dispositions etc. Batt was relieved in evening by 2nd Australian Batt in right sub-sector and marched back by platoons to Bulford camp near Neuve Eglise.

4th Batt: Batt preparing for forthcoming operations. The Batt worked as the right flank of the Brigade and advanced in a diamond formation to the line of the canal marked by flags. Then they crossed the canal under covering fire and took up position on the west side, repelling a counter attack. Later the Brigadier expressed how pleased he was with the work and pointed out where improvements could be made.

10th batt: Training and steady drill for the Batt. 2ndLt FJ Smith joined the Batt.

Yeomanry/Cavalry: Reg camped at Shemaliyeh but it was too late to water the horses. Brigade marched to a Jewish colony at Beit Duras where there were rows of canvas troughs but the pumps were out of action. Water was found a mile away and it took all night to give the horses a drink.

Home Front:

M Davies, of the Worcestershire Regiment has been awarded the Military Medal. He has seen service in the Dardanelles and has been in France for some time, where he was wounded in April of this year.

Two soldiers belonging to the Worcestershire Regiment have won the Military Medal – Sergeant A. Darby, 9, Southall Lane and Pte. George Harold Tilley, Netherton. In recognition of their bravery they will each receive a gold watch from the local Patriotic Committee. The same distinction has been won by Acting Sergeant William Price, for holding his part of the line when troops on his left had fallen back until the position was relieved on the following day.

F.W. Burbridge, Barbourne, was sued by the Globe Advertising Company, Sheffield, for £5 4s. for two years’ advertising on a clock in Worcester. Mr. Chambers (Sheffield) appeared for plaintiffs and Mr. T.H. Coombs defended. Plaintiff admitted that he signed the contract without noticing that it was for three years and after one year he wrote asking them to discontinue the advertisement and was then reminded of the contract. The Registrar found for the plaintiffs.

The Matron would heartily welcome any gifts of tobacco and cigarettes for the wounded. A steady and regular contribution of such gifts would be welcome for men who are now, just as much as others in the early days of the war, suffering for their devotion to duty.

Mrs. Greenway, of 56, Astwood Road, had just received news that her nephew, Pte. Francis O.T. Matthews, of the Canadian Scottish Regiment, was killed in action in France on the 31st October. He was the youngest son of the Rev. G.J. Matthews, of Fleming Rectory, Saskatchewan, Canada, who, with his family went to Canada five years ago, prior to which he was a resident of Gorst Hill, Rock.

Mrs. E. Smith, 55, Lansdowne Street, has received official information that her husband, Pte. Ernest Smith, who has been reported missing since the Battle of Katia on Easter Sunday, 1916, was killed on that day. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith, 9, Livingstone Street, Red Hill, whose second son was reported wounded last week. Previous to joining the Yeomanry, Pte. E. Smith was employed by Messrs. Winwood and Son, Worcester.

John Thompson, 43, The Shambles, was fined 10s. for causing an obstruction in the Shambles with a horse and dray and three fish boxes. P.C. Greaves said that the dray was standing in the middle of the road for 25 minutes. The defendant became abusive and told witness he ought to be in the Army. Defendant asked the Court if it was right that the Mayor of Worcester should have crowds outside his theatre causing obstructions and policemen to look after them, whereas he (defendant), who was selling food, a necessity, was summoned for causing an obstruction. If he wanted to walk down Angel Street on the Theatre side and there was a crowd outside, he would have to go round them. Defendant had a list of 41 previous convictions against him.

Distribution of Coal: Local coal merchants, in common with others, have received an important communication from the Coal Controller relative to the distribution of coal. It says: “In order that even distribution of the available supplies of coal may be maintained, it shall be the duty of every coal merchant, colliery representative and factor, before executing a private consumer’s order for one ton of coal or more, to obtain from the private customer placing the order a statement in writing, declaring the amount of coal he has in stock and how long such amount of stock is estimated to last. In cases where applicants’ stock on hand exceeds a month’s requirements for consumption, orders for further supplies are not to be executed until the stock is reduced to a month’s requirements. In case of private consumers who have habitually received truck loads, owing to residence in a country house or owing to cartage being performed by themselves or owing to exceptional difficulties arising out of delivery, orders for truck loads may still be executed in quantities not exceeding normal supplies.rs. Davies, of 4, Wyatt’s Buildings, Britannia Road, has received news that her son, Cpl. H. D

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team