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Key dates over May 1918

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Lives lost on this day: 16

31st May 1918 - Worcester Baker’s Suicide

Rolling casualty count: 9896

War Front:

2nd Batt: Batt provided working parties for work on the East Line from 5am to 9am. The remainder of the day was spent on Coy training.

3rd Batt: Batt held the position south west of Ville en Tardenois all day.

4th Batt: The Divisional Officer visited the Batt and his COs lectured all Coys. All respirators were thoroughly inspected. Batt moved up to Support in the evening, relieving the 2nd Leinster Reg. Total strength of the Batt was 47 officers and 874 ORs.

Home Front:

Worcester Baker’s Suicide – On Wednesday at the Guildhall, the City Coroner held an inquest concerning the death of George Clifford, baker of Providence Street. Rose Clifford, daughter, said that her father had been in ill health for the last four months, during which time he was unable to follow his employment. He had never threatened to take his life. Witness found her father lying in a pool of blood, a razor was lying by his side. Julia Clifford, widow corroborated her daughter’s evidence. A few days before his death, she said he seemed depressed and was very quiet on the day of his death. He suffered from heart disease and dropsy, but had no other troubles outside his health. The Jury returned a verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane.

The Worcestershire Banner – The handsome banner of the Worcestershire Regiment, presented at the commemorative service of the First Seven Divisions at the Albert Hall last year, which was on exhibition at the Norton Barracks sports on Whit Monday, is the work of the South Kensington Guild of Art Needlework. Inscribed with the date of June 1894, the banner bears the crown, which it is entitled to because of having been brigaded with the Marines and also the Star for having been brigaded with the Guards. It is well known, the Worcestershire Regiment, by its motto “Firm” is one of the only two regiments with mottos in English (as distinct from Latin), the other being the 17th Lancers, which bears the famous “Death or Glory” motto.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team