2nd November 1917 - British government issues the Balfour Declaration, supporting the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine

Rolling casualty count: 8049

War Front:

1st Batt: Batt relieved at 9.30pm by the 2nd Northants and remained in Brigade support at Red Lodge.

2nd Batt: Batt relieved and marched in Coys to the Asylum, Ypres, where they enbusssed to Canteen Corner near Neuve Eglise.

4th Batt: A damp and misty morning. W and X Coys went to the rifle range, Z Coy did bayonet fighting and order drill. Other Coys found working parties for collecting wire. Help was again given to the farmers.

2/7th Batt: Batt relieved 2/8th Worcs in the Front line in the Chemical Works Sector. 2nd LT CM Sadler proceeded to Batt HQ left of the Chemical Works Sector.

2/8th Batt: Batt relieved by 2/7th Worcs, 2 Coys and HQ went to Pudding Trench, 1 to Pampoux, 1 to Single Arch in Cordite and Crete Trenches. 2nd Lt S Harrison went to hospital and 2 Other Ranks went to CCS.

10th Batt: 2nd Lt JC Scriber was drafted into the Batt.

Yeomanry/Cavalry: Yeoman were able to visit Beersheba pm. There was a fine mosque, well –built railway station and main buildings intact and used for staff and ambulance officers.

Home Front:

On Thursday evening a memorial service for the men who have fallen in the War was held in the Cathedral. It was similar to those which have been held on All Saints’ Day in the two previous years and it was again attended by a large congregation, comprising a number of military wounded soldiers and nurses. On this occasion there was a distinctive element, the colours of the 6th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment being handed to the Dean and Chapter for safe keeping. We have had several of these ceremonies in the Cathedral and elsewhere, but none was more impressive than that of Thursday evening. It preceded the memorial service.

City Police Court: W.B. Leicester, labourer, 7, Severn Street, applied for the discharge of a maintenance order in respect of his wife, Mary Gadd, 16, Windsor Place, Wylds Lane. Complainant said they had been married 29 years, but after the separation order was made they lived together again, but she left him again on August 15th. She gave no reason, and he had done nothing to cause her to leave. She took the week’s wages and all the food from the house. Defendant said her husband was walking out with another woman, but, she added, “You’re welcome to her and she’s welcome to you.”

Pte. A. Corbett, of the Worcestershire Regiment (son of Mrs. Preston, Merton Road, Malvern Link, and an old boy of the Royal Albert Orphanage, Worcester), has been awarded the Military Medal for bravery and good work as Battalion stretcher bearer. He is aged 23 and has spent three birthdays in France.

Red Cross Depot Work: At the Red Cross Depot, St Nicholas Street, Worcester (Commandant, Mrs. Price Hughes), 2,812 articles were made during the month of October.

Whist Drive: A very successful whist drive was held on Thursday at the King’s Hall (by kind permission of the Mayor) under the auspices of the County Ground Bowling Club, the proceeds being devoted to the Infirmary. Two hundred and thirty-two players took part and the proceedings were well managed by the Committee.

State Subsidy for Potato Growers: While the guarantee of a minimum price of £6 a ton to the grower of potatoes is to be maintained in its integrity, it has been decided that the price to the consumer must be reduced. This can be accomplished only by granting a subsidy, a policy to which the Government is most reluctant to resort, but which is rendered necessary by the urgent necessity of reducing the consumption of wheaten and other cereal flours. The greater use of potato should offset in some degree the amount paid in subsidising the 9d. loaf.

The Food Controller has submitted to the Cabinet his scheme for securing an adequate supply of milk to invalids and children at acceptable prices, during the winter months. It is understood that 4d. per quart is the price suggested.

Christmas Parcels for Worcestershire’s: Mr. F. Barber’s dramatic and variety company gave a performance at the Electric Theatre for the benefit of the Christmas Parcel Fund for Worcestershire Soldiers and Sailors and as a result about £3 was sent to Mrs. Wodehouse, Hon. Sec. of the Comforts Fund. There was a good house, many being present who were interested in the local patriotic funds.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team