5th November 1917 - A Navvy and the Whiskey

Rolling casualty count: 8066

War Front:

2nd Batt: Batt paraded at 12.30pm on a field behind the camp for Medal Ribbon distribution. The Div Com then spoke about the 3rd Battle of Ypres, congratulating all ranks, especially for the defence of the captured position in the neighbourhood of Polderhoek on the 25th September.

4th Batt: W, Y and Z Coys on musketry and bayonet training and X Coy on outpost scheme. Lt Col Linton DSO, MC was awarded bar to his DSO for services during their recent operations, notably August 16th and October 9th.

2/7th Batt: On night patrol, 2ndLt J Willmore went missing and 1 other rank was wounded.

2/8th Batt: Batt supplied working parties and some men had baths. 2ndLt GW Palmer went to hospital. Lt HM Adams joined batt from 183rd Brigade. 1 other rank to CCS.

10th Batt: 1 other rank killed and 2 wounded.

Yeomanry/Cavalry: Brigade returned to Beersheba and horses were watered at 2.30am-42 hours since their last drink. The horses were also suffering as the weather was so hot and their clipping had not been completed.

Home Front:

A solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. George’s Catholic Church, on Sunday, for the souls of the Allied soldiers and particularly of those belonging to Worcester, who have fallen in the war. Just outside the Communion rails a catafalque had been erected. It was covered with the Union Jack, on which was placed an officer’s cap, belt and sword and also a laurel wreath. Father Dawson was the preacher, making special reference to the sacrifices of the soldiers. At the end of Mass, Father Field recited prayers for the dead and gave the Absolution. This was followed by “The Last Post,” sounded by buglers from Norton Barracks.

A meeting of the County Prisoners of War Executive Committee was held at the Shirehall today. The Chairman said that, in view of the questions asked and the doubts raised as to whether the parcels ever got to the prisoners, he was glad to report that in August they received 772 acknowledgment cards, sent by the prisoners for parcels received and 697 were received in September.

Pte. Thomas Brooks, Worcestershire Regiment, has been wounded. He is the husband of Mrs. F. Brooks, of 33, St. George’s Lane North, Worcester. He joined the Army in June and had been at the front only ten days when he was wounded. Previously he was a sheet repairer on the G.W.R.

As a result of a severe wound, Pte. P.H. Day, Worcestershire Regiment, of 18, Compton Road, Worcester, has had his leg amputated. He joined the Army about 12 months ago, went to France in January and was wounded on August 23.

Navvy and the Whiskey: At Evesham County Police Court on Monday, William Cross, a navvy employed in the construction of the new factory at Blackminster, was brought up in custody charged with being drunk and incapable in Station Road, Blackminster, on Saturday. P.C. Rose found the prisoner lying helplessly drunk at the side of the road. He fell down and cut his head and the skin off his nose. He had in his possession a ginger-beer bottle partly full of neat whiskey. Supt. Hill said there was nothing known against the prisoner who was a stranger to the town and working on the building at Messrs. Cadbury’s works. Prisoner said it was a cold, damp day and had some whiskey to get warm. Supt. Hill said prisoner would not tell him where he obtained the whiskey. Fined 7s. 6d.

Civil Offices: It is generally accepted that Ald. Carlton will continue as Mayor and it is expected that Ald. Palmer will be Sheriff and Mr. R. Morris, Chamberlain. Ald. Palmer was Sheriff in 1904-5.

Chrysanthemum Show: The exhibition will take place, on Wednesday and Thursday. The proceeds will be given to the Infirmary. One hundred and eighty seven pounds ten shillings has been given to local charitable institutions as a result of previous exhibitions. Exhibits will be sold by Nurses during the progress of the exhibition and anything remaining will be sold by auction by Mr. Foley Hobbs on Thursday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Willmott, of 14, Diglis Road, have been notified that their youngest son, Albert Victor, Worcestershire Regiment (T.F.), has been badly wounded in the right hand and is in hospital in France. Before joining the Army he was employed by Messrs. Dent, Allcroft and Co, as a glove cutter. He went to France in May, 1916 and was attached to a trench-mortar battery, on which he has served ever since.

The General Purposes Committee have resolved that, with the view of initiating relations between the city and Worcester, Massachusetts, the Council be recommended to authorise the Town Clerk to address a letter to the Mayor of that city informing him that the old Worcester would gladly receive and consider any suggestions which the Corporation of the new Worcester care to make for cementing friendship; that after the war the City will be very pleased to welcome representatives of the new Worcester Corporation on a visit and extend such hospitality as is in their power; explaining that the Council are pleased to be authorised by the Dean to say that representatives of the religious bodies who come to England will be warmly welcomed by the Cathedral authorities and the Dean and Chapter would place the pulpit of the Cathedral at the disposal of the Rector of St. George’s, Worcester, Massachusetts.

The General Purposes Committee report that the Chairman submitted a plan which he had instructed the Engineer to prepare for laying out Tallow Hill Cemetery and he explained that it provided for enclosing it with a wall and ornamental iron railings, adding small portions to the road on the west end, removing the mortuary and post-mortem rooms, making footpaths and flower-beds and providing seats at an estimated cost of £700.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team