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Key dates over May 1916

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Lives lost on this day: 10

23rd May 1916 - News of Yeoman Prisoner

Rolling Casualty Count: 3169

At the Front:

2nd Batt: Route march at 6.00am via Oblinghem, Mont Berenchon, Bonnehem and Cheque. Remaining bouts of Boxing Comp fought off pm.

3rd Batt: Orders for a counter attack to retake lost trenches was received.

The attack began at 8.25pm after a day of heavy shelling and Batt charged forward and retook P79 with the bayonet. On the left. The enemy beat off the attack and brought enfilade fire to bear on the position gained. Batt blocked the trench half way along and obstinately defended it with bombs and bayonets. There were nearly 100 casualties including the gallant Capt McMichael.

Yeomanry /Cavalry: During the day, the Heavy battery marched to Karm and blew up 13 miles of railway line, 6 bridges, a viaduct and 2 culverts. They smashed Asluj Station and all switches, points and telegraph poles were destroyed. Anything left was burned.

On the Home Front:

Strange Suicide at Worcester: An inquest was held at the Ketch Inn today, into the death of Ebenezer Humphreys, of St. Catherine’s Vale, London Road, whose body was found in the Severn near the Ketch Inn. Mr. Wyatt, King Charles’ House, Friar Street, gave evidence of identification. He said the man resided in the Corn Market until three weeks ago. On Saturday morning witnesses saw Humphreys in Newport Street going towards the river with something wrapped in a newspaper. When the body was recovered a rope was tied to the right ankle and attached to a ring on the boat. P.C. James said death appeared to have been caused by drowning…The officer also spoke of the opinion of neighbours that the man had lately been inclined to be morbid and had complained of having no-one to look after him. He was well known in the district as an agricultural worker. The Jury brought in a verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind.

News of Yeoman Prisoner: Mrs. Saunders, of Martin Hussingtree, has received news from her son, Trooper John Saunders, of the Worcestershire Yeomanry. He is quite safe and well at Jerusalem. During the fight he was in charge of the horses and had a narrow escape as shells fell where the horses were tethered. Before enlistment he was employed at The Kennels, Fernhill Heath.

At a meeting of the County Council, Mr. Paget Norbury asked why German prisoners could not be employed on the roads; prisoners were used in Germany. It was ridiculous that prisoners in this country were not employed. Mr. Gettings said he had discussed the question with Mr. Willis Bund and the Chief Engineer of the Road Board, and he understood that about 3,000 Spaniards were likely to be available. The difficulty as to German prisoners was that the road work was so scattered, and the cost of the guard, he understood, would be prohibitive…Major Winnington said that there was going to be a notice issued stating that farmers would be able to get a certain number of prisoners for labour, and he suggested that Workhouses could be utilised for them and for the guard.

Does Daylight Saving Save? Dear Sir, I will give you a rough estimate of what I should say will be a loss to the people of this country. I will put it at 40 million people. Each person’s wear and tear of clothing, boots, etc., for one hour extra per day will cost at the very least one farthing per hour: £41,666 roughly, per day. Now another item: Ten million smokers, one penny per hour for matches, tobacco, etc., £41,666, roughly, per day. Where is the saving to the people of this country? I fail to see, only one hour loss of rest. I should like to hear other person’s view. F. MOYERS.

City Police Court: Humorous Defendant: J.W. Shelsby, of Northwick Lane, was summoned for allowing two cows to stray on The Cross. P. C. Guy proved the case, and defendant was fined 2s. in respect of each animal. He remarked that the fine used to be only 1s. per cow, but he thought that the increase was due to the war. He had been fined before for the same kind of offence.

Call for Worcestershire Girl Athletes: A meeting was held at Stourbridge to discuss the question of organising action with reference to women’s labour on the land and to war savings. The Mayor stated that in Worcestershire a canvass had been organised in every village and town, to find two classes of women labour to work on the land - the local, and the migratory, or such as would be prepared to go to another part of the county and undertake service for considerable periods. Mr. Gant, the organiser, said the ideal type of labour at the present time was that of the schoolgirl athlete, but there was enormous scope for women who were ordinarily healthy…Councillor C.S. Hall suggested that it would be a good thing if they could get a body of young women cyclists to ride out and assist farmers within a five mile radius of Stourbridge.

Information researched by the WWW100 team.