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Key dates over November 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

Lives lost on this day: 2

20th November 1918 - Mayor’s appeal for clothes for the starving Belgian people

Rolling casualty count: 11537

War Front:

1st Batt: One officer joined the Batt for duty.

4th Batt: All men were issued with clean underclothes.

14th Batt: The Batt moved at 0930 hours to Bray.

Home Front:

City Council: The Town Clerk read a letter from Major Reddie intimating that the packing of parcels for prisoners of war had been suspended, thanking the Council for their co-operation in the matter of providing funds, and stating that as soon as the accounts were completed and audited a meeting would be called to say how the balance, if there were any, should be appropriated. The Mayor took that opportunity of expressing thanks to Mrs. Wodehouse, who had worked so hard in connection with the fund. (Applause.); The Streets Committee recommended the Council to adopt Mr. J. Ward’s offer to sell the land at Barbourne Park, containing a total area of 62,073 square yards, for the sum of £5,000, for purposes connected with the housing of the working classes, the purchase money not to be paid until the Council are in a position to raise the requisite loan; five per cent interest being paid from the date when the Council take possession until the actual payment of the purchase money. It was thought that the Council would be able to erect about 100 houses on the site.

In response to the Mayor’s appeal for clothes for the starving Belgian people, who have now been able to return to the occupation of their devastated country, the first consignment of clothes was packed and despatched from the Guildhall on Monday, by the Mayoress, Mrs Chichester, Mme. De Mérceby, Miss Beale, Miss Bates and the Hon. Secretary of the Belgian Refugee Committee. Four large packs were sent, consisting of over 400 garments, boots, and shoes. Many of these were perfectly new and beautifully warm, others had been worn, but all were sent in excellent condition. The Hon. Secretary cannot undertake to receive anything later than Nov. 30th, when the opportunity for helping these poor people must be left to individual assistance.

It was last week reported that Gnr. Kenneth J. Minchin, R.F.A., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Minchin of 72, Ombersley Road, has been severely wounded in the abdomen, by shrapnel, in France. He died on the 9th inst. He was an old St. Martin’s boy, and also an art student at the Victoria Institute. He enlisted in 1915. A brother is in hospital in Bradford, suffering from trench fever.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team