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Key dates over September 1916

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Lives lost on this day: 6

6th September 1916 - King expressed his unqualified approval of “The Battle of the Somme” film.

1st Batt: Batt holding the Reserve Line in front of Vermelles.

2nd Batt: Batt marched from Croissette to to Gouy, which was 10 miles, passing through Maisnol and Ternois. Packs were carried but only 2 men fell out.

3rd Batt: Batt marched to billets at Arqueres.

4th Batt: OC Coys and 2nd in Command visited the Right sector of the Firing line.

2/8th Batt: Two fighting patrols under 2nd Lts Godsall, Teete and Robinson moved to german wire, but were unable to enter enemy trenches. Lt Teete and 1 man were wounded.

10th Batt: Batt relieved the 10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the trenches.

SMD RFA: Germans fired gas and lachtymentary shells into the Ancre Valley and around Group HQ.

The King and Somme Film: A programme of the Official War Office Film, “The Battle of the Somme,” including a film which will be released to the public later on, of “The King’s Visit to France,” was shown by command of the King at Windsor Castle on Saturday evening last to their Majesties. The King expressed his unqualified approval of “The Battle of the Somme” pictures. In the course of the conversation His Majesty remarked, “The public should see these pictures that they may have some idea of what the Army is doing, and what war means.” Her Majesty also expressed her keen appreciation, and declared that the pictures were wonderful.

The body of a soldier was found in the Severn at Pixham Ferry last night. It had been in the water for some time. The County Police instituted enquiries, and the body has now been identified as that of Private Thomas Caddick, Worcestershire Regiment, Norton Barracks.

Mrs. Adlam, 5, Cyril Road, Landsdowne Road, has received a letter from her son, Frank, from a base hospital in France: “I suppose you read about the Worcestershires and Wiltshires in the papers. Well, it was in the early part of that fight that I got my ‘knock-out.’ I shall never forget it; we did given ‘em socks. They squealed like rabbits, and cried for mercy, saying ‘Kamerade,’ and ran towards us with their hands up. Our artillery was fine and simply knocked their trenches out of existence. I saw one shell hit a German machine gun, blowing it and gunners to bits. It was just after we had charged and taken the enemy trench that I was put out of action, and I did have a job to get back to safety across Dead Man’s Land, I can tell you. I am writing this in bed, as I am not allowed to get about. We get every care and comfort, and I am quite happy.”

George James, hawker, no fixed abode, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Birdport. P.C. Lawley said that the prisoner was shouting and using bad language to his wife. Fined 2s.6d.

The announcement was made on Tuesday that Lieut. H. James, V.C., the Worcestershire Regimen, son of Mrs. James, Edgbaston, Birmingham, t will be married on 14th September to Miss Gladys Beatrice Lillicrap, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lillicrap, Devenport.

Soldier Decapitated: An inquest was held at Wribbenhall relative to the death of Pte. Bernard Brady, of the Royal Defence Corps, who was on sentry duty when he was killed late at night by a passenger train on the Severn Valley railway between Bewdley and Arley-on-Severn. The body was found decapitated by the engine driver. A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.

Content researched by the Worcestershire World War 100 project team.