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Key dates over September 1918

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Lives lost on this day: 9

18th September 1918 - Battle of Monastir-Doiran. On the Salonika front, Alllies begin an attack that leads to the capture of Doiran. Private Robert Young 11th Bn Worcestershire Regiment executed by firing squad for desertion.

Rolling casualty count: 10635

War Front:

2nd Batt: The Batt marched to Lachelle and were accommodated in huts and tents. Batt was held in 5th Corps Reserve for an attack on Villers-Ghislains and men were ready to move at 20 minutes’ notice.

3rd Batt: Batt relieved part of KSR of 56th Infantry Brigade in the Front Line south of Bois de Biez.

Yeomanry/Cavalry: At 8 am there was a salvo of shells overhead which burst on the hillside to the rear of Turmus Aya. It was a barrage to prevent the enemy supports making a counter attack.

Home Front:

The King held an Investiture today in public in the Quadrangle at Buckingham Palace. The function was witnessed by several thousand spectators, including a party of American Naval and Military officers and nurses. Over 300 decorations were bestowed. These included two V.C.’s, namely, Lieut. Harold Austen, and Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Hudson of the Sherwood Foresters. The American visitors were afterwards received by the King. His Majesty subsequently returned to Windsor. At the conclusion, the King, noticing the presence of several American naval and military officers and American Navy nurses, summoned them to his presence, shaking hands with each, and engaging in conversation.

A further list of honours includes the following: - D.S.O., Lt. (A/Maj.) W. M . Matheson, M.C., R.F.A. This officer brought his battery into action in the open in front of a railway embankment during a sudden retirement, and remained until the infantry formed up behind him. His timely assistance was of great value to the infantry, who were exhausted and short of officers. A fortnight later, while his battery was firing a protective barrage, it suddenly came under very heavy and accurate fire, so he cleared the detachment s to a flank, and, with 30 volunteers, two of whom have since died of wounds, kept two guns in action to maintain the barrage. Major Matheson (whose home is in Shrubbery Avenue, Worcester) was formerly Brigade-Sergt. Major at Southfield Street Headquarters. He gained the M.C. in October, 1917.

Worcester Banks and Fair Day: The Worcester Banks will keep open until 3pm on Thursday, September 19th, annual fair-day.

Victoria Institute: All classes in the Science and Technical School, and the School of Art will commence on Monday, Sept. 23rd. Syllabus giving full particulars may be obtained at the Public Library, or at the Schools.

St. John’s Cinema: The management have secured for the last three days of the week the picture based on the well-known hymn, “Nearer my God to Thee.” It is a Hepworth production and features the popular artists, Miss Alma Taylor and Mr. Henry Edwards.

General List: Today’s list includes: - Officers, 479 – killed 97, died of wounds 21, wounded 326. Of 32 missing 20 belong to the Royal Air Force. The number of casualties in the ranks is 4,105 – killed 227, died of wounds 154, died 48, wounded 3,521. Two hundred and thirty-four N.C.O.’s and men, previously posted missing, are now reported prisoners of war.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team