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Key dates over September 1918

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Lives lost on this day: 16

24th September 1918 - Railway strike reaches Worcester

Rolling casualty count: 10697

War Front:

2nd Batt: A and B Coys pushed on towards Gloucester Road but operations were hampered by heavy enemy shelling and the enemy took over the loop in Dados Trench

4th Batt: Baths were allotted to the Batt and the rest of the day men did route marches and PT. At 6.15pm the Batt marched to Lancaster Siding, then went to Godrich siding, Ypres by metre gauge railway. Batt relieved the KOSR and some Lancashire Fusiliers in the Zillebeke Sector. BHQ was in the ramparts of Ypres.

14th Batt: The whole of A Coy worked on the forward tracks. B and C Coys worked on the Division HQ Road.

Yeomanry/Cavalry: It was pitiful to hear the wounded crying for water. Yeomen helped where they could but there was nowhere to take them. More enemy were surrendering.

Home Front:

Many Gallant Deeds: A list of officers who have been awarded the Military Cross for gallantry includes the following: Sec. Lieut. H.J. Nicklin, Worc. Regt.: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when sent out with a small party to deceive the enemy as to the real line of defence. He carried out his work so well that he held a superior force of the enemy for eight hours, and although outflanked and heavily shelled, he withdrew his party with the loss of only one man. He inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, and by his conduct inspired his men with confidence;

Temp. Sec.-Lieut. S. J. Rye, Worcs. Regt.: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in reorganising men and leading them forward under very heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, thus by his courage and personal example re-establishing the line. Later, finding an officer badly wounded he carried him back to safety under heavy machine-gun fire;

Temp. Sec.-Lieut. J. Turley, attd. Worcs. Regt. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the defence of a building which was being repeatedly attacked by the enemy. He organised parties of rifle grenadiers to eject the enemy from houses close by, and when the enemy brought up trench mortars and bombarded the building, he showed conspicuous coolness in assisting the defence.

Illegitimate Child: Edward Taylor, 21, Little Chestnut Street, labourer, was summoned by Evelyn Bishop, 22, Little Chestnut Street, single woman, to support her child. Defendant knew that she had had the child, but he repeatedly invited her to go into his house, but always on a Monday night, when his wife was away at the theatre. He was the father of her child, he had been charged by her mother with the paternity and he did not deny it. Complainant said she used to throw notes to him over the boards in the gardens, and he answered them. Defendant denied being the father of the child, and said the complainant had never been inside his house while his wife was away. He had never given her money. Mr. Maund, for defendant, submitted that there was not enough corroboration of the evidence of the girl. The Bench took that view.

Unhappily the railway strike which started in the South Wales area has reached Worcester. Railway Crisis: Members of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (the Union to which the bulk of the drivers and stokers belong) came out last night, or as they left duty this morning, and the result was that, though the passenger service was today maintained with difficulty, the goods traffic – upon which our whole manufactures, industry, and coal and food supplies depend – was “vitally affected,” to use the words of one of the chief officials at Shrub Hill. It was estimated by the local officials of the Society, that early this morning there were 150 men out on strike. They were to be seen parading Lowesmoor, and eventually they made for the Co-operative Hall, where a meeting was held. The hall was nearly crowded. Happily, for those who were compelled to travel today, a number of passenger’s drivers and firemen stuck to their posts. Never were “blacklegs” so highly esteemed by the public.

Peep o’Day Angling Club: The members had a successful contest on Sunday, when 16 assembled to go to fish Hawford Brook, which was then in good condition considering the recent heavy rain, but before the contest ended, fresh water was coming into the brook, which became quite thick. Taking into consideration the state of the water, the catches were fairly good, and no doubt when the water has run a little finer, there will be some sport. Although getting late, it will make out for the very bad season experienced so far.

Worcester Tribunals: The Worcester Porcelain Company appeared to answer N.S. review in the cases of George Hiatt (37), china dipper; James Bullock (35), Grade 2, single, china plate maker; and John Parfitt. Parfitt had been re-examined and rejected; Hiatt had a protection certificate. A fresh application was made for John Dean (48), Grade 2, married, china cup handler. Mr. Solon claimed that both Bullock and Dean were in a certified occupation in three days’ time. This was found to be so. Bullock and Dean were given six months. Bullock asked for exemption from the Volunteers, but it was refused.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team