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Key dates over August 1918

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Lives lost on this day: 6

5th August 1918 - Last German airship raid on Britain

Rolling casualty count: 10304

War Front:

2nd Batt: A strong enemy party was taken by surprise by one of our advanced posts and several were killed by bombs and Lewis gunfire. One body from the 364th Pioneer Coy was brought in. Brigade HQ to arrange a raid for August 6th. Batt ordered to hold the advanced posts and not to hand them over to the Americans yet. Later the raid was cancelled.

3rd Batt: Batt marched eastward from Audel to Chocques, a dirty ruined village. Some members of the Batt were there in 1914.

4th Batt: Enemy artillery fire again met with vigorous counter fire. 2Lt EJJ Cocks was killed with 2ORs of X Coy, in an encounter with an enemy patrol in No Man`s Land. Heavy rain fell in the evening making it difficult for carrying parties

Home Front:

Prisoners’ of War Matinee – Artistic and Financial Success – The afternoon concert held at the Theatre Royal on Thursday in aid of the Prisoners of War Fund, was an unqualified success from every point of view. It was arranged by Col. Chichester, Officer Commanding Norton Depot, who had the assistance of Lieut. R Coningsby Clarke, known in civilian life as a composer of distinction. They secured the services of several leading artistes, who provided a programme, the excellence of which roused the crowded house to enthusiasm.

Local War Honours – Military Cross – Lieut. R Gale, Worc. R. 2nd M.G.C. for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in covering the retirement of the infantry with his section of machine guns, holding up the attack and causing the enemy heavy casualties, later when a shell landed in the centre of the gun limbers, he went out under heavy fire, and unhitched the killed and wounded horses, so enabling the transport to move away to cover.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team