15th July 1918 - Fourth Battle of Champagne. Fifth major German attack since March. On a smaller scale, German troops assault the French line facing the River Marne. For the first time the German attack is unsuccessful. Continues to 18 July.

Rolling casualty count: 10240

War Front:

1st Batt: Batt moved to Dargnies in good weather.

2nd Batt: There was a Batt Shooting Competition all day. Batt moved up to the Left Sub Sector relieving the Scottish Rifles, with A and C Coys in the Front Line.

Home Front:

Visit of Dr. Campbell Morgan: Under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A., the Rev. Dr. Campbell Morgan paid a visit to Worcester during the week-end. On Saturday evening he addressed a meeting at the Guildhall; on Sunday morning he preached in the Baptist Church; and on Sunday evening he preached in Angel Street Congregational Church. Today he spoke at two meetings at the Deanery.

Worcester Soldier’s Death: Pte. Cyril Wilfrid Lewis, who belonged to a Territorial Battalion of the Worcestershires, has died at Tooting Grove Military Hospital, at the age of 22. He was the son of Mr. W.J. Lewis, of 43, Nelson Road, in this city, and before joining the Army worked as a carpenter with his father and also for Mr. W. Hunt, of Quay Street. He joined the county regiment in January, 1915, and served in France for over two years. In March he was wounded in the eye and ear, and was partially blinded, and succumbed to complications which supervened while under treatment. Deceased was a single man.

Worcester Man Missing: Mrs. Cale, of Tybridge Street, has learnt from the War Office that her husband, Lance-Cpl. H. Cale, of the Worcestershire Regiment, is missing. Cale, whose age is about 25, joined the Army two years ago, and has been out in France 22 months. He was wounded in the right leg in 1917, and came home on leave last October for 10 days. He was educated at St. Stephen’s School, and previous to enlistment was employed at the tan yard in Hylton Road. Mrs. Cale has four brothers serving, one in France, another in Yorkshire, and two others are on a farm.

City Police Court: Neighbours at Variance: Alice Groves (42), Beaver Row, was summoned by Ellen Doughty, 7, Beaver Row, married woman, for using obscene language in Beaver Row. Mr. T.H. Coombs appeared for complainant, the wife of discharged soldier, now employed on basket-making, having served three years in France. Mrs. Groves said Doughty made allegations against her character, and when she denied them defendant said she would “wring her ----neck.” Mr. Coombs had written to Mrs. Groves, asking for an apology, and she had not apologised. Defendant, on oath, said Mrs. Doughty threatened to “swill” her children but “swilled” her (witness) instead with clean water. She did not hear defendant use bad language. The case was dismissed.

Police-Constable Ernest Steer of the City Police Force, died on July 3rd, as the result of an accident through being crushed between two lorries. The Matron of the hospital in France wrote to his parents that he was brave, cheerful, and patient, and insisted on sending a field card to his mother saying he was going on well after his injuries. P.C. Steer was appointed to the Force in June, 1913, and left to join the R.F.A. in June, 1915.

Homes for Sailors and Soldiers: The Brotherhood have today sent a cheque for £30 7s. 6d. the entire proceeds of an entertainment held in connection with the Brotherhood prize distribution on the County Cricket Ground on July 2nd, to the Mayor in support of his Fund to provide homes for sailors and soldiers.

Fire at Battenhall: the Norwich Union Fire Brigade received a call about 3.10am on Friday morning to Mrs. B. Pope’s, Middle Battenhall. They promptly turned out, under the command of Chief and Second Officers Sayce with their motor fire engine, and on arrival found two hayricks on fire. Thanks to the smartness of the brigade in getting to work four other large ricks were saved, value about £800. After working several hours about 25 tons of hay was also saved out of the ricks which were on fire. A plentiful supply of water was obtained from a brook about 200 yards away and the brigade were able to do good work. The ricks were no doubt set on fire, but up to the present no arrest has been made. The property is covered by insurance. The brigade returned at 4.10pm on Saturday afternoon after 13 hours’ work. The County Police were also in attendance under Inspector Price.

Men Who Are Wanted: In a memorandum to tribunals the Local Government Board states that the need for men of all ages in Grade 1 and for men of former military ages in Grade 2 is great and urgent. There is also a considerable demand for Grade 2 men of the new ages and for younger Grade 3 men except those fit only for sedentary work and with no technical skill that could be used in the Army. Tribunals are urged to ask traders to prevent overlapping and waste in delivery. If schemes are not now adopted voluntarily, says the memorandum, they may have to be enforced under powers held by the Road Transport Board.

The only way to get efficiency from women munitioners is to see that they have corsets said a representative of Messrs. Howard Wall, busk makers, at Shoreditch Tribunal. Despite the scarcity of steel the Ministry has released 1,500 tons for busks.

Mrs. Munn, 38, Pinkett Street, Barbourne, has received a postcard from her husband, Pte. H. Munn, Worcestershire Regiment, stating he is well and a prisoner of war in Germany. Previous to joining the Army he was in charge of the bottling department at Messrs. Spreckley Brothers for 13 years. Pte. S. Munn, Machine Gun Section, a brother, has been killed, and Sergt. J. Munn, Worcesters, another brother, is missing.

Military Cross for Worcester Officer: T./Capt. W.H.N. Shakespeare, R.F.C.: He carried out a most successful contact patrol in very bad weather at a height of 400 ft. and brought back very valuable information. Later he carried out another successful contact patrol at a low altitude, his machine being subjected to intense rifle and machine-gun fire. He is a gallant and determined pilot and has set a fine example to his squadron. (He is the oldest son of Mr. W. Shakespeare, jun., of Barbourne, Worcester. He was formerly in a battalion of the Worcesters. )

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team