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Key dates over November 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 8

29th November 1917 - Welcome Given to Wrong Man

Rolling casualty count: 8229

War Front:

1st Batt marched to rest at Poperinghe

2nd Batt crossed battlefield to support trenches at Seine Farm

4th Batt in cellars in Marcoing. Enemy air attack

Yeomanry marched through Junction Station to Mughar, still littered with dead horses

Home Front:

Welcome Given to Wrong Man: By 8 o’clock last night (the hour at which the last train from Paddington arrives at Shrub Hill) a large crowd had collected around Shrub Hill Station awaiting the arrival of Pte. Dancox, V.C. So great, indeed was the assembly that all the entrances to the station, except the main one, had been closed and the main entrance was opened so as to admit of only one person going in or coming out at a time. When the train came in there was great excitement and a prolonged shout was raised and one of two soldier’s home on leave was subjected to more attention than he cared for. Many people besieged the tram on which he got and it was only when they saw him in the light and when several loud voices were exclaiming “That ain’t the bloke; let’s go back to the station,” that the crowd began to disperse.

Death of Veteran Forester: The death occurred on Monday at 7, Nelson Road, of Mr. Alfred Jones, Worcester’s oldest Forester, in his 90th year. He was a coach-trimmer and for many years was in the employ of the late Ald. R.E. Barnett. Mr. Jones settled for some years in Tewkesbury, where he followed his trade. Returning to Worcester in 1875, he continued his life as a journeyman for various firms until he was 79 years of age. In his early life he became associated with Forestry and prided himself on the fact that he was the first member of the district. He had an almost life-long connection with Court “Hope of Worcester,” in which he passed through all the offices of honour. He was one of the pioneers of the Friendly Society movement and used to relate an amusing incident in connection with his visits to Martley. The late Mr. Thomas Birch, a man of miserly instinct, then took the tolls for the Henwick toll gate, but he was so impressed by the Friendly Society movement that he let the Foresters, including Mr. Jones, go toll free on their propaganda trips to Martley.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team