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Key dates over August 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: 11

21st August 1918 - Honour for Evesham Priest

Rolling casualty count: 10395

War Front:

2nd Batt: Brigade entrained at Proven for Watten and then was billeted at Serques.

3rd Batt: Batt moved back to reserve at Gonnehem.

4th Batt: There was a heavy barrage by the enemy from 1 am to 2am, probably on Locre to the north. The 2 support Coys were shelled night and day, every 2 hours. Batt HQ moved forward to a hop field north of Merris. W and X Coys had patrols out but no enemy was found within 600 yards of the Line. X Coy established a post at Kismet House. The enemy is apparently withdrawing further south, back behind Merville.

Home Front:

Honour for Evesham Priest – Pope’s Private Chamberlain – According to a Rome telegram, the Pope has appointed the Rev. Robert Patten his private Chamberlain, a post which carries with it the title of “Very Rev, Monsignor”. Monsignor Patten, who is 50 years of age, was ordained in 1893, and for four years was in charge of the Roman Catholic Mission of Wednesbury. In 1897 he was given charge of St Mary’s Church, Evesham, where he remains. Father Patten is extremely popular in that part of Worcestershire and during his regime in Evesham has built and equipped a new church.

Bromsgrove Men’s Distinctions – Sergt Major W Kimberley, late of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, son of Mr W Kimberley of Bromsgrove, has been granted a commission in the Australian Forces and is engaged in training troops at Geelong. Gunner Thomas Nokes, R.F.A., a Bromsgrove man, has been awarded the Military Medal. Gunner Nokes is the son of the late M. Nokes of Bromsgrove. He volunteered for the Artillery in August 1914 and has seen much active service. In June 1917 he was wounded in the left leg and shoulder and in June this year he was gassed. He has been twice recommended. His brother Pte Bert Nokes, Worcestershire Regiment, was killed in action.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team