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Key dates over December 1914

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Lives lost on this day: 1

23rd December 1914 - Yeomanry looking for spare saddles and bridles

Rolling casualty count: 561

1st Batt: ‘B’ Lines: Remained at La Gorgue in billets; 2nd Batt: Marched from Zelobes arrived at Lacouture at about 11:30am; 3rd Batt: Locre: In billets.

Mrs Price Hughes writes to say that she has received intimation from the Colonels of the Worcestershire Battalions at the front that the plum puddings which she forwarded have arrived, and they all send their best thanks to the kind friends who have contributed those gifts.

Major JM Reddie begs to announce that the following “comforts” have been received by him and have been issued to the different units of the Territorial Forces in the county: Shirts 1,247, socks 1,281, helmets 59, blankets 104, mitts and gloves 144, great coats 10, woollen caps 7, scarves 289, vests 2, Cardigans 23, belts 66, nightingales 4, boots 6. He desires to say that the recipients have asked him to express their very grateful thanks to all the kind donors.

Sir, May I crave the hospitality of your columns to make an appeal to generous people throughout this county, and the neighbouring ones, on behalf of the Reserve Regiment, Worcs Yeomanry, for the loan of serviceable saddles and bridles of any pattern, as these articles are at present unprocurable form the Government owing to the heavy calls made by Service Units. These should be clearly marked in every instance with the sender’s name. Anyone who may help in this respect will be greatly aiding in the training of the Regiment. Major HJ Selwin

The following telegram has been received by the Chief Constable (Mr TW Byrne): “Please make known as far as possible leave for men 8th Worcesters, expected home today, is cancelled. – Adjutant.”

At the last meeting of the County Territorial Association it was decided to raise 2nd reserve units for the Yeomanry, and the 7th and 8th Battalions Worcestershire Regiments. In each case the first reserve is practically recruited up to full strength, but, until the main units, in the east of England, have gone abroad, enrolment for the second reserves will not be commenced. Less than 40 places now remain to be filled in the 8th Battalion Reserve.

Mrs EE Barrow, newsagent and tobacconist, Foregate Street, has recently had on her counter, a box into which customers were invited to drop cigarettes for our troops at the Front. By this means she has provided several thousands with smokes. She sends them to the Queen, and for her latest contribution of a thousand, she has received the following acknowledgment: “The Lady in Waiting is commanded by the Queen to thank Mrs Barrow most gratefully for her kind and acceptable gift, which her Majesty very much appreciates.”

Information researched by Sue Redding