31st July 1918 - City Coroner Inquest

Rolling casualty count: 10278

War Front:

1st Batt: Batt in the trenches – weather good.

2nd Batt: The Brigade commander visited the Batt HQ. Coys were trying to capture prisoners as relief on the Front is expected. Two strong patrols were sent out during the night but failed to get any identification of the enemy. 2nd Lts H Walford and C Neale joined the Batt.

4th Batt: The strength of the Batt is 42 officers and 922 OR.

Home Front:

Another Award for Gen. Grogan: Bar to D.S.O.: Major and Bt. Lieut.-Col. (Temp. Brig. – Gen.) G. W. St. G. Grogan, C.M.G., D.S.O., Worc. Regt.: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion during a long period of active operations. On one occasion, when in command of the left of the division, it was mainly due to his personal efforts that the line was maintained and extended when the troops on the left were withdrawn. Whenever the position became critical he went forward himself to restore the situation, and his splendid example of courage and endurance greatly inspired all ranks. Only yesterday it was announced that Gen. Grogan had been awarded the V.C. It is obvious that the bar to the D.S.O. was awarded prior to the V.C.

The General List: Casualties to officers in the list published today total 71, of whom 9 (7 of the Royal Air Force) are killed, 5 died of wounds, 5 died, 45 are wounded, and 5 are missing. The number of casualties in the ranks is 1,419. Killed 92, died of wounds 90, died 56, wounded 941, missing 207.

At the Worcester Guildhall, on Tuesday, the City Coroner held an inquest as to the death of Lily Annie Jane Mapp (2), of 1 Court, Little Angel Street. A little girl named Gertrude Thompson (9), of 11, Little Angel Street, saw the accident. Lily Mapp came from the yard and ran across the road. At the same time a motor ‘bus came very slowly round Little Angel Street. Georgie (deceased’s brother, about five years old) called to her to come back, but she said she wanted to catch a butterfly which was flying in the direction of the “Times” Office. She saw the motor ‘bus go over Lily, and witness turned away. Frank Martin the driver of the ‘bus, stated that he was driving from Angel Street to draw up at the stand. He was almost at a standstill when he heard screams, but saw nothing. If the child approached the ‘bus closely it would be doubtful whether witness would see her at all; there was no one in sight when he turned into the street. Martin stated that it would be impossible to see such “a tiny mite.” Normally, one sitting at his seat could only see the opposite side of the road. A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned, the driver being exonerated of all blame. The Jury extended their sympathy to the parents, and in this expression the Coroner joined.

Mrs. Dancox, the widow of Pte. Dancox, the first Worcester citizen to receive the Victoria Cross, attended the investiture in the quadrangle at Buckingham Palace today, and received from His Majesty the Victoria Cross won by her husband last December. Pte. Dancox, who lived the whole of his civilian life in the city, fell in action a few weeks after the V.C. was gazetted.

At Worcester Infirmary on Tuesday afternoon, Company Quartermaster-Sergt. Wooslen, stationed at Norton Barracks was admitted suffering from a severe wound in the throat, and was attended by Dr. Allport. His condition was very grave and he died at 11.40 the same night. He was a man of some 40 years’ service.

County Police Court: James Collins (16), Mill Yard, Lower Wick, was charged with attempting to commit an unnatural offence on June 26. The case had been twice adjourned. Defendant was remanded for eight days, to be put under the supervision of the prison doctor.

Cathedral War Memorial: On Friday afternoon Lieut.-Col. W.R. Chichester will unveil two recently-erected memorial windows in the Cathedral Cloisters, one to the memory of Laurence Bernard Carlton, R.A.M. who was killed in Gallipoli on August 9th, 1915; and the other to the memory of Francis Humphrey John Greswolde Williams, Lieutenant of the King’s African Rifles, who was killed on Aug. 3rd, 1917. The ceremony will take place before the usual afternoon service and those desiring to be present are invited to assemble at 3.30 in the Cloisters.

King’s School: In the recent matriculation examination for London University Gilbert Robertson was placed in the First Division and James Douglas Sanby Thomas in the Second Division.

Worcester Infirmary: Week ending 27th July: Patients admitted 18, discharged 17, in the House: Men 19, women 31, children 23, wounded soldiers 5, other classes of patients 7. Total 85.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team