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Key dates over December 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: 2

26th December 1916 - Christmas day in the workhouse

Rolling casualty count: 5150

2nd Batt: Batt relieved by the 14th HLI and guides brought the relieving platoons as far as Bethune Road. Relief took a long time owing to the bad state of the trenches. Coys had hot tea at Andover where men changed their boots. From Maurepas, buses took them to camp on the far side of Bray.

4th Batt: A route march was followed by practice at “advanced guards.” Indoor classes continued.

Home Front:

The Royal Albert Orphanage – The children at the Royal Albert Orphanage were able through the generosity of the many kind friends of the Institution, able to enjoy Christmas in the usual way. The dining room had been prettily decorated by the Staff. The whole of the day was given to over to festivities, but the item which gave most pleasure to the children was the dismantling of the large Christmas tree, which was very heavily laden. The remainder of the evening was given over to the playing of games and in dancing and singing.

The Workhouse – On Christmas eve the officers silently assembled outside the Master’s quarters and surprised the Master and Matron by singing carols. They afterwards visited the Infirmary and delighted the patients with similar efforts. Christmas Day found the staff at work in the early hours, making final preparations for the success of the day. The dining hall and the various wards were simply and tastefully decorated by many willing hands. Breakfast for all was bread, butter and tea.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team