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Key dates over May 1916

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Lives lost on this day: 3

26th May 1916 - Three months’ exemption for Chaddesley grocer

Rolling Casualty Count: 3184

At the Front:

2nd Batt: the swimming baths at Bethune were allotted to the batt. Two working parties of 100 men each were found to work on the trenches at Oblinghem Mill.

3rd Batt: Another mine went up at the head of the trench. The Batt seized the crater and soon entrenched it after a sharp fight.

4th batt: Still at Engelbelmer in dull weather.CO went to work out the best way to get the Batt to the White City line of trenches as orders have been received to relieve the 16th Middlesex Reg on Sunday.

On the Home Front:

Worcester Primrose League: The annual meeting of the Worcester Habitation of the Primrose League was held at the Conservative Offices, Sansome Lodge, the Ruling Councillor (Mr. A.H. Whinfield) presided…The ninth annual report of the Executive Council stated that the strength of the Habitation was: Knights 31, Dames 48, Associates 1,110; total 1,189. In consequence of the war none of the usual entertainments had been held, and, on the suggestion of the Grand Council, no political meetings had been arranged…Many of the men members were on active service or doing other work in connection with the war; while the majority of women members were engaged in war work of various kinds, such as nursing the wounded, visiting the soldiers’ families, making garments and munition work.

Worcester Tribunal: Dear Sir, my attention has been drawn to the report of the proceedings at the Worcester Tribunal, which appears in your issue of Tuesday. Colonel Webb is misinformed in stating that “practically all Messrs. Townshend’s men have been exempted.” The proportion of our men who have joined the Forces is 40 per cent., which, I am sure, Colonel Webb would agree, is a highly creditable figure for a business which the Government acknowledge as a “reserved” trade, so necessary for the public food supply. That we are able to substitute other labour to such an extent is a source of satisfaction to my firm. Frank Townshend, Director, Albion Mills, Worcester.

Famous Bosbury Donkey Dead: The death has occurred of Mr. E.T. Dane’s “famous Bosbury donkey,” which has been the means of raising over £3,000 for Red Cross purposes. The animal, which could be seen in the streets attached to a cart decorated with coloured ribbons, was billed to appear at a second series of Red Cross sales to be held at Ross next month, and the promoters have every reason to mourn its loss. The animal first became famous at the Ledbury Red Cross sales, and ever since then it has been instrumental in raising funds for the fund. The last appearance in public was at Hereford last week. During the last six months its owner had taken the animal to sales both near and far.

Former Evesham Doctor Wounded: Dr. Beresford Jones, formerly of Evesham, who is in France, has been wounded in the head and right hand, the result of a braking shell. He has previously been twice wounded in the war.

Tribunal: Mr. Spencer Thursfield appealed on behalf of Kidderminster Corporation for exemption for Mr. George F. Stones, recently appointed to succeed his father as Manager of the Corporation Sewage Farms. Major Talbot said there were 50 or 60 applicants for the post, and so it could not be said that it was impossible to get anyone to take the position. He suggested that Mr. Stones’ father could do the work for his son, as Mr. Thursfield was carrying out the duties of a Town Clerk, while his son was on active service. Mr Thursfield said he was not as old as Mr. Stones, and there was a difference from a physical point of view in doing the Town Clerk’s work and in walking over “700 acres of sewage.” Exemption granted till September 30th.

Tribunal: Mr. H.G. Ivens appeared for Andrew Taylor, grocer of Chaddesley Corbett. He said he was practically the only grocer in the village. He owned a motor car, which was let out on hire. A letter was put in, signed by Dr. Fitch and Mr. Millward, the schoolmaster, saying that if Mr. Taylor and his car went the village would be cut off from the world. (Laughter.) Major Talbot said the Advisory Committee put altogether on one side the question of the motor car, but they did feel the grocer’s business was essential to the village, and did not oppose conditional exemption for a time. Three months’ exemption.

Information researched by the WWW100 team.