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Key dates over August 1916

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Lives lost on this day: 6

9th August 1916 - Court martial at Norton Barracks of William Barker

At the Front:

2nd Batt: Further work carried out on new trench and existing trenches deepened to 4 to 5 ft.

4th Batt: Officers from 1st Newfoundland Reg came and inspected the line as they were relieving the Batt that night. Batt went back to Ypres in Brigade Reserve.

7th Batt: batt relieved by 5th Gloucester Reg at 9.30.pm and marched to Le Grande Paquoit via La Gogue. 1 officer evacuated to England.

8th Batt: Trenches taken over by 2/1st Bucks and batt marched to billets at La Gorgue.

SMD RFA: Bombardment of enemy at night to isolate the Leipzig Salient.

Yeomanry /Cavalry: Enemy at El Abd trying to delay advance of british which would allow much equipment and stores to fall into british hands. Considerable casualties of horses and men.

On the Home Front:

Court Martial at Norton Barracks –A Court Martial was held at Norton Barracks, Worcester, today when William Barker, who is a member of the Non-Combatant Corps, attached to the Worcestershire Regiment, was charged with wilfully disobeying the command of a superior officer when ordered to put his uniform on. Asked to plead Barker said that he was guilty. The President said that if he pleaded guilty then he was bound to be found guilty; and further he would lose the privilege he might have, supposing there were a flaw in the Court Martial, of hearing the conviction quashed. There was no lie in pleading not guilty.

Holiday Makers in Worcester – Monday was not generally observed as a Bank Holiday, but it was obvious that there were many visitors to the City on that day and on Saturday. At some times of the day one got the impression that there were as many people as on an ordinary Bank Holiday, but the reports from the railway station and other sources do not confirm these impressions. On Saturday the railway stations, especially Shrub Hill, were crowded and incoming trains were packed with people many of whom alighted at Worcester. Many of them were munition workers and had apparently been spared a few days from work, for they brought in many cases, wife and children. Many had obviously come for the weekend only and as they carried fishing rods their purpose was evident.

Information researched by the WWW100 team.