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Key dates over August 1918

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Lives lost on this day: 1

17th August 1918 - Obtained Mackintosh by False Pretences

Rolling casualty count: 10380

War Front:

1st Batt: Work concentrated on the major line of defence. The enemy was quiet. Several patrols were sent out to reconnoitre the area but they were unable to enter enemy lines.

2nd Batt: Batt relieved by parts of 1st and 2nd Batt 120 AIR and went to Tunnelling Camp near St Jean Ter Biezen.

4th Batt: Y Coy moved to Strazeele Defence and came under the command of OC 2nd Hants Reg, to support a minor operation the 87th Brigade was carrying out with the 9th Division. X Coy went up to the Support Line on a carrying party at night.

1/8th Batt: When the Brigade moved forward it took over the sector on the right of the one previously held. The enemy kept up strong patrols to protect its front line.

Home Front:

Prisoners Suffering in Germany – An interned prisoner of war in Holland writes to Mrs Jinks of 4 Skinner Street, Worcester, with regard to her son, who has been a prisoner in Germany ever since 1914. He says “Edward is in good health. I wish we could get him out of it, I am going to put in a good word for him, but I cannot guarantee success. He is a very fine type of man and well preserved in spite of his hardships. He has had three tries to escape from that dastardly mob of people. Our dear people at home cannot realise what it is to be free. Prisoners are suffering from want of food. The good and generous work of the Red Cross keeps us going in Germany independent of the German food.”

The Malverns – Police Court – Thursday – Alleged False Pretences – Lizzie Band (31) married of 58 Portland Street, Worcester, was charged on a warrant with obtaining by false pretences on August 12th from Mrs Willoughby, the Promenade, one rubber lined mackintosh value £1.13s. Miss Edith Williams, manageress of Mrs Willoughby’s shop said she met Sergt Cale in Worcester and on walking up the High Street saw the prisoner among a crowd of people. She recognised her as the person who came into the shop on Monday afternoon and asked to see a mackintosh. She said she was buying it for her sister, Mrs Martin, who was staying at Malvern House, Abbey Road. Witness told prisoner she could not allow the mackintosh to be taken on approval, but prisoner pleaded with her, saying that her sister was prostrate, having received news that he husband was ill or wounded, and that she wanted the coat as she was travelling abroad. Witness allowed her to take the coat, but as it was not returned after tea she went to Malvern House. No one named Mrs Martin was staying there. Prisoner declared that a mistake had been made. Her husband, she said, was on active service. Sergt Cale stated that the mackintosh had not been recovered and asked for a remand for a week. Prisoner was remanded in custody.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team