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Key dates over October 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: 24

20th October 1918 - Military Cross for VC winner

Rolling casualty count: 11212

War Front:

2nd Batt: the transport moved by road to Wormhoudt en route for Watten area. Coys paraded for medical inspections.

3rd Batt: Batt moved back to the forward area near Locon.

4th Batt: Weather cloudy but enemy artillery still very active, firing on Strazeele. Enemy aircraft busy during the day, flying low over our lines. Batt moved to the Front Line relieving the 2nd SW Borderers in the right sub-sector. An enemy machine gun swept the road through Outtersteene Village. Major JR Frend DSO, 2nd Leinster Reg took over command of the Batt. A draft of 6 OR joined.

Home Front:

Wor’shire Honours – M.C. for Captain James V.C. – Lieut (Temp Capt.) H James V.C., Worc. R. - During an attack he rode forward when the situation was obscure under very heavy fire and brought back most valuable information. He then re-organised and led forward parties of men from other units and skilfully formed a defensive flank where a gap had occurred, exposing himself for many hours to very heavy fire. By his gallantry, coolness and utter disregard for personal safety he set a splendid example to all ranks. Capt. James was the first member of the Worcester Regt. to win the V.C., which he was awarded in December 1915, for services at Gallipoli. He has also been awarded the Croix de Guerre, and has been mentioned in despatches.

Meritorious Medal for Redditch Soldier – Pte T Guise, whose home is at the Market Place, Redditch, has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for bravery on the Western Front in November 1917. Before joining the forces, he was employed at Messrs Thomas and Sons, Redditch. His employers and his fellow workmen have just presented Pte Guise with a gold watch, suitably inscribed, in recognition of his distinction.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team