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Key dates over July 1917

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Lives lost on this day: 3

18th July 1917 - Worcestershire Sergeant murdered

Rolling casualty count: 6769

War Front:

1st Batt: Batt moved back to Goyecque area and HQ was now at Capelle-sur –la- Lys Chateau. A draft of 1 officer and 48 other ranks joined from Base.

2nd Batt: Batt had another holiday for the 2nd day of the Horse Show and we had one 3rd prize.

4th Batt: Batt moved and made camp in a field north of Proven.

2/7th Batt: The Divisional Race Meeting was held and 2nd Lt Flint won the Galmetz Gallop on Snider.

Home Front:

Worcester Tribunals: Mr. Hemming applied for Oswald Beamand (26), single, entertainer, who formerly was passed C3 and was now passed B1. Mr. Beamand said he was a trainer of pigeons and he had a troupe of 23, which he exhibited in music halls. He had contracts booked up to the end of the year and those at the end of the year were the most valuable he had, being in London music halls. The Clerk: I suppose there is no doubt that the business is of national importance. Beamand: Of course it is. I give entertainments at hospitals. The Clerk: It requires that to make it of national importance. Beamand said his was the only performing pigeon act in the country. Colonel Webb asked applicant if he suggested that he pigeons would go back if he had to put them by. Applicant said they would. Colonel Webb said that he had a wild robin respond to his call, but it disappeared for a year and re-appeared and answered to his call as usual. He contended that the pigeons would not forget what they had learnt. The Chairman: Is your scenery insured? Beamand: No. Colonel Webb: Then every week you take a much more serious risk with it than you would take if you went to France. Exemption till October 17 (final).

German Prisoners for the Land: At Henwick on Tuesday there arrived by rail about 35 German prisoners, together with an armed guard. They arrived by train from Bromyard and proceeded along Henwick Road in three motor chars-a bancs to the Shelsey district. They were dressed in the field-grey uniform of the German Army. Few were much over 20 or 23 years of age. They were most docile and orderly in manner. Most of them seemed downcast.

Wor’Shire Sergeant Shot: A verdict of “Wilful murder” against Pte. Thomas Joseph McDonough was returned at an inquest at Tregantle, near Plymouth, on Tuesday, on Sergt. Charles Clifford Mant, Worcestershire Regiment. The evidence showed that during firing practice on Monday Sergt. Tyler reported that McDonough, whose shots struck the sand 50 yards to the right of the butts. McDonough complained to Lieut. Wilson that Tyler used bad language to him. Firing was then continued and Corporal Owen stated that he saw McDonough shoot Mant in the head. Lieut. Wilson closed with McDonough and both rolled over the embankment. McDonough, it was alleged, said, “Now, where is Tyler? He is the next.” Lieut. Wilson stated that accused said, “I meant to shoot Tyler.” Tyler denied using bad language to accused.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team