28th September 1917 - Gipsies’ Encounter

Rolling casualty count: 7669

War Front:

1st Batt: The trench situation was quiet. Work was chiefly on wiring.

2nd Batt: Batt assembled at Brewery camp, north east of Dickebusch. Capt Fox was buried in Dickebusch Cemetery with Military Honours. Casualties during the action were 9 officers and 208 other ranks. At 1pm Batt marched to Reminghelst Station and moved to Erlinghem, then by road to Cercus.

4th Batt: Batt marched at 7am to De Wippe Corner Camp.

2/8th Batt: There was more shelling on Avenor and Cauldron trenches but no casualties.

10th Batt: Batt in support in dug-out eras on Hill 60. 1 other rank killed and 1 wounded.

Home Front:

Objections at Pershore: A meeting was held at the Angel Hotel to hear objections from farmers to the breaking up of land. Colonel Wheeler first addressed the farmers collectively. He could tell them at once that if every farm scheduled was broken up they would still be a long way short of what the Government asked them to do. That being so, while they would try to act with strict justice, farmers would have to make out a good case to upset the recommendations of the Sub-Committee. ”We want bread more than beef or beer,” said the Chairman to Mr. A. Burnell, who objected to the order to break up 16½ acres on his farm at Battenhall, tenanted by Mrs. Pope, who said the land was more profitable laid down to grass. The Committee promised to send Mr. Dinely of Church Farm, Flyford, owner and occupier of 74 acres, a team to burst up the additional 15 acres imposed upon him. Mr. Dinely said this land was a foot deep in brambles. The Chairman said it couldn’t pay him to grow those things.

The members of the Worcester City Bowling Green Club concluded the bowling season on Thursday afternoon, when there was a fixed-jack competition, followed by “high tea” and the annual prize distribution. The weather was delightful, the green was in perfect order and the competition attracted a good many members. After tea, the Mayor proposed “Success to the Club,” saying that he understood that the latter had been established for half a century and that leading members and officials of the Corporation, including several of his predecessors in office, had always been associated with it.

On Thursday afternoon a sale of work in aid of the Trust Current Account of the Wesleyan Church, was opened by the Mayor (Ald. Arthur Carlton) in the School Hall, Pump Street, Worcester. The proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem, which was followed by a hymn.

Gipsies’ Encounter: At the County Magistrates Office today, before the Rev. R.N. Kane, William Smith, a gipsy, of no fixed abode, was charged with wounding Alice Smith by kicking her in the ribs, at a hop yard at Callow End on Thursday. P.C. McDonagh stated that when he was called to the hop yard he saw Alice Smith in a van, bleeding from her head and complaining of a pain in her side. He went with Mr. Wasley, D.C.C., to Newland, and arrested the defendant. Dr. Watson examined the injured woman and found that two of her ribs were broken. The case was adjourned until Tuesday and Mr. Maund, for the defendant, asked for bail, which was not granted.

Munition Woman’s Theft: Beatrice Hilda Thomas, alias Smythe (22), munition worker, late of Lowesmoor Terrace, was charged with stealing from a bedroom at 20, Lowesmoor Terrace, on 22nd May, £15 in Treasury Notes and two half sovereigns, the money of Ellen Mary Clegg, of the same address. Sergt. Hoddinott, of the Bournemouth Police said that prisoner was at Bournemouth Police Station on another charge. He interviewed her on July 19th, when she told him that she was working at the Government Cartridge Factory, Blackpole. He told her about the theft, and she said, “I did not have all the money but only £11 7s. 6d., I left Worcester the same day, as I wanted to get away.” The Bench sent prisoner to prison for three months.

At the City Police Court today, Ernest Moseley, baker, 186, Astwood Road, was summoned for using water for other than domestic purposes. The Town Clerk said that the defendant was charged by the Water and Sewerage Committee, who thought it a very important case. He pointed out that the ordinary supply was provided only for domestic purposes and must not be used for trade purposes, water for the latter being supplied under special terms. In the defendant’s case the charge would be only 5s. a quarter, which he thought was not unreasonable. The Bench fined him £1 and he was allowed a fortnight in which to pay.

The Chief Constable has received the following letter from a Co.-Sergt.-Major in the Yorkshire Regiment, who discovered the grave of three soldiers of the Worcestershire Regiment in a lonely spot: “Sir, - During a slight lull on the Western front I came across the grave of three dead comrades in a lonely spot. With a few willing hands we neatly trimmed it up and left it very respectable. I thought if you would cause this to be inserted in your local Press it will somewhat comfort the sorrowing ones left to mourn their loss to know they rest in peace. The number, rank and names are as follows: 240512 Sergt. W.H. Andrews; 240523, L.-Cpl. W. C. Harrison; 242642 Pte. H. Reynolds – all of the /.8th Worcestershire Regiment. Yours truly, Wm. Hill, C.S.M., 12th Yorks. Regt., B.E.F. Chief Constable Worcester.”

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team