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Key dates over December 1914

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Lives lost on this day: 1

26th December 1914 - 1st Battalion in the front line but little firing

Rolling casualty count: 564

1st Batt: ‘B’ Lines: Practically no firing on either side all day, our artillery however fired a few rounds during the morning; 2nd Batt: In billets at Lacouture; 3rd Batt: E. Kemmel: In trenches.

Pte F Bennett, of the 2nd Worcestershire Regt, says, “The weather has been bitterly cold, and there has been snow on the ground for a week. If it was not for the warm clothing that we have I do not know what it would be like in the trenches. The Germans do not give us much rest. Night and day they shell the trenches with their big guns. French troops have relieved the Worcesters, who have come back for a little rest. As we left, the Germans shelled us all along the line. If it had not been for the way we were handled by an officer considerable damage would have been done. General French came specially to see the Worcesters. He spoke of the work the regiment had done, and said they had not only added honour, but glory, to it.”

Now that the Croft is flooded, local Territorials are being drilled or lectured to in various buildings, including St John’s Tramway Garage, the Workhouse, the Salvation Army Barracks, and the Drill Hall, Silver Street.

On Friday, the children at the Cottage Homes, assisted by friends, had a joyous time among themselves. They had the usual course for breakfast, and at dinner they took roast beef and plum pudding. In the afternoon they played games of various kinds till tea-time, when bread and butter, and cake and jam were liberally provided. Mr HE Large helped to organise the childrens’ games and, at intervals, recitations and songs were given. Donated gifts were distributed and Messrs Russell and Dorrell gave a new penny to each child.

Though leave has been stopped once more, the Worcestershire Yeomanry have had ample opportunities of enjoying their Christmas. A dinner for the Regiment was arranged to take place on the evening of Christmas Day, followed by a smoking concert. Beagles are a great attraction at the present time. Several of the officers have had some sent down, and the hunt is pursued with zest by many of the Yeoman, when off duty.

Information researched by Sue Redding