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Key dates over January 1918

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 31

Lives lost on this day: 3

14th January 1918 - Cyclist escapes serious injury from horse

Rolling casualty count: 8462

War Front:

3rd Batt: A strong patrol of 2 officers and 25 OR from A Coy, with the assistance from the artillery attempted a small enterprise against the enemy wire, where it was suspected that some enemy were laying out. The task was impossible owing to the barrage being too slow and irregular , resulting in no prisoners being taken but 6 OR became casualties.

4th Batt: The whole Batt was out on A Range at Petit Difques and gas precautions were practised.

2/7th Batt: Major AV Rowe assumed command of the Batt during the temporary absence of Lt Col Lawrence.

2/8th Batt: Batt used the baths at Germaine. 2 Lt Parker joined the Batt. 2 OR to CCS.

10th Batt. Still working to improve the trenches. 1 OR was killed. 1 OR joined from Base.

Yeomanry/Cavalry: The camp was 7 miles south of Gaza and built in low cliffs overlooking the sea. There was a plentiful water supply. The sandy soil made an ideal training ground.

Home Front:

Still Fewer Cattle in Market: There was another drop in the supply of fat cattle in the Market today, only 30 being sent in. This was 10 lower than last week, which entry was below that of the previous week – the first of the operation of the Order. Therefore the prophecy which was made a fortnight ago – that there would be an improvement when the method of procedure was better understood – would appear to be unfounded.

Cyclist’s Narrow Escape: An accident, fortunately unattended with personal injury, occurred in Lowesmoor Place on Saturday about 12.10 pm. Leslie Banks, Bransford, was cycling past a horse and dray driven by Charles Clayton of Stoulto, when his machine skidded and fell in front of the vehicle, which passed over and crushed his bicycle. The rider was unhurt.

City Police Court: “Strong Fumes.” – Charles Pearce (56), porter at a spirit merchant’s, 92, Cavendish Street, was charged with being drunk. P.C. Price gave evidence. Prisoner said that it was the smell from the spiritis that caused him to be drunk. The Chief Constable said that prisoner had been at the work for about 30 years, and the fumes had only just commenced to affect him. In November he was fined for a similar offence. The Clerk: Was it the fumes then? Prisoner: Yes, sir. Prisoner was fined 10s., and said that it would be the last time.

Church Army Social: The annual New Year’s social of the Worcester branch of the Church Army Pioneer and Band of Cheer was held last Thursday evening at St. Andrew’s School, by kind permission of the President of the League (Rev. R.G. Philpott), who was unavoidably absent…An enjoyable evening was brought to a close by the singing of the Band of Cheer hymn. The proceeds are being given to the Church Army War Fund.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team