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Key dates over November 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 13

21st November 1917 - Suicide verdict

Rolling casualty count: 8176

War Front:

4th Batt cleared out last of enemy from Masnieres and 29th Division held town for 3 days

2/7th and 2/8th Batts into front line at Greenland Hill

Yeomanry Followed infantry along congested road to Enab, overlooking green valley of olives, vineyards and orange groves. 'D' Squadron camped on mountain top to protect the road to Jerusalem

Home Front:

County Curate to Colonel: A correspondent in “The Times” writes of Lieut.-Col. Percy W. Beresford, D.S.). , of the London Regiment, who died of wounds on October 26th: - “It is not, perhaps, without parallel in this war for a country curate to become the commanding officer of his battalion and a D.S.O., but Beresford joined to simple piety, patience, industry and humility rare military qualities of decision, moral predominance and thorough knowledge of his work which mark the born soldier. It was Beresford who pioneered one of the first parish cadet corps in England. When Colonel Beresford was mortally wounded he said to the doctor, “Don’t bother about me. Attend to the others.” A smile lit up his pale, handsome face, still very boyish, as he turned to his adjutant: - ‘I’m finished – carry on – take care of my sister.’ Then he added: - ‘This is a fine death for a Beresford.’”

The Streets Committee recommended the Council to increase the salary of Mr. F. Brockington, Streets Inspector, from £160 to £175 per annum. Mr. Maund said that Mr. Brockington had been with the Council 23 years, and he had had only one increase, £20, some 17 years ago. Ald. Constance seconded, but the Sheriff suggested that it was a ridiculous rise. After what they had recommended should be done for his subordinates, the least they could offer him would be £200 a year. Mr. Brigden, seconding, said that Mr. Brockington was one of the hardest working officials under the Council. He was at the yard every morning of the year at 6 o’clock. Ald. Whitehead suggested that the increase should be £25, and this was accepted by Mr. Maund and carried.

At the Guildhall, today, the City Coroner held an inquest respecting the death of John Crosby John’s (68), shoemaker, of 17, Copenhagen Street. Mrs. Johns, the widow, left the house yesterday at 2.50, leaving her husband in the kitchen sitting in an arm chair. On her return to the house at 3.20, she missed him and on searching found him at the top of the garden hanging from the rails at the top of some steps. Eleven years ago he had had an operation, necessitating the removal of his tongue. Since, he had been in failing health and during the last six weeks had been very ill, not being able to do any work. His bad health did not seem to affect his spirits, the only signs being that he was in a thoroughly weak state. He never had complained of life being of a most happy disposition…The Jury returned a verdict of “Suicide during temporary insanity.”

The General Purpose Committee recommended the Council to vote £200 to the Prisoners’ of War Fund for the benefit of men whose homes are in the city, one-half to be applied to the fund raised for men belonging to the Worcestershire fighting units and the other half to men belonging to other branches of the Army. Ald. Cook, in moving this, said if the war went on longer than they hoped, the Committee would be glad to reconsider the question of making a further grant. Ald. Leicester seconded. He thought however, that sailor prisoners should not be left out.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team