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Key dates over July 1916

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Lives lost on this day: 7

7th July 1916 - David Lloyd George appointed Secretary of State for War in place of the late Lord Kitchener

Rolling Casualty Count: 3578

At the Front:

1st Batt: Heavy shelling and many casualties. C Coy had to evacuate Shelter Alley and worked north along shelter Trench to notify the artillery that there was a danger of firing on our own men. Many Very lights sent up. Orders to attack Contal-Maison from the south and after fierce hand to hand fighting, troops were beaten back. Torrential rain fell.

2nd Batt: Major TK Pardoe arrived and took over command of Batt. Movement orders were received.

3rd Batt: C and D Coys relieved 1st Wilts Reg in Leipsit Salient with the 8th Loyal North Lancs. At midnight A and B Coys moved to Crucifix Corner.

72/8 Batt: Lt Col F Checketts relinquished command and returned to England. Major LI Bilton of 17th Royal Scots took over.

SMD RFA: There was a feint attack by the infantry and heavy bombing of enemy front line

On the Home Front:

Among the list of awards for gallantry appears the name of Sec.-Lieut. William Ashwin Henderson 3rd (attached 13th) Royal Scots. “For conspicuous gallantry. He carried out several dangerous reconnaissances in trenches known to be held by the enemy, after which he led a counter-attack with great coolness and utter disregard of danger.” LtHenderson is a son of Mrs. Henderson , of Ashbourne, and formerly of Bretforton House, eldest sister of Mr. James Ashwin, J.P., of Bretforton Manor. He was engaged in rubber planting in the State Settlements before the war.

The twelve sons of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Skerman, of Ashwell, Herts, are all serving in the forces, eleven being in the Army and one in the Marines. Herbert, Arthur, Alfred, and Samuel are in the Royal Field Artillery; James, Percy, Jack, and George in the Bedfordshire Regiment; Reginald in the Coldstream Guards; and Thomas in the Gordon Highlanders; Frank, who was wounded in the North Sea Battle, has been for 14 years in the Royal Marine Light Infantry; William, the youngest has just joined up. Mr. Skerman did not wish any of his sons to claim exemption, and, although 70 years old, is now helping in the hay harvest.

Assault: Alice Woodhouse, 22, Dolday, summoned Annie Woodhouse, 36, Dolday, for assault. The prosecutrix said that she went to the defendant to make friends. Defendant went in the house and came out with a plate with which she struck her. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was fined 5s.

Mrs. B. Bradley, of No 4 Court, Fish Street, Worcester, has received official information that her husband, Pte B. Bradley, of the Army Veterinary Corps, is a prisoner of war at Hamadiah. Mrs. Bradley has also received a postcard from her husband asking for a parcel.

Norton YMCA Hut: The Worcester Co-operative children’s singing class, under the leadership of Mrs. Emery –Teague, gave the soldiers at Norton Barracks a capital entertainment. A comic opera, entitled “Ali-Ba ba,” was rendered in an excellent manner...Skipping rope dances were a pleasing feature of the performance, and the dancers were repeatedly recalled for their clever and graceful manipulation of the rope…In the second act, the entrance of a grotesque donkey created much merriment and, altogether, the entertainment provided an excellent evening’s amusement, which was greatly appreciated.

Information researched by the WWW100 team.