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Key dates over August 1914

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Lives lost on this day: 0

Orders for mobilisation received

4th August 1914 - Orders for mobilisation received

4th August – evening – orders for mobilisation received by 2nd and 3rd Battalions, The Worcestershire regiment, stationed at Aldershot and Tidworth respectively

4th August: 1/7th and 1/8th Territorial Battalions were in their annual summer camp at the outbreak of War on 4th August. They immediately went into training and defence of the country. They were billeted at Swindon, then Danbury, Essex and then spent he winter in Maldon.

Image courtesy of Worcestershire Regiment Museum

4 August 1914 – this day 100 years ago

Casualty Count: 0

At 4 pm every station of the British Army was flashed the order for mobilization. At Aldershot and Tidworth, all ranks of the 2nd and 3rd Worcestershire Battalions made preparations for war: their ranks were to be filled up to war strength by reservists; equipment and ammunition to be received and issued, stores of all kinds gathered, officers and men to be medically inspected and passed fit for service, additional horses to be requisitioned and regimental property to be placed in safe keeping. The most precious of all, the Colours of the two Battalions, were to be laid away in Worcester Cathedral until the Battalions should need them again.

A big demand for petrol at all Worcestershire garages had created a scarcity and only limited supplies could be obtained. Territorials, not over 35 years, present on the reserve list invited to rejoin their regiments. 8th Worcestershires ordered to report to HQ.

Food prices began to rise, there was panic buying: Trade 'was far beyond that at any Christmastide'.

England stands by France: 'War declared' between Britain and Germany and the British Army was mobilized.