LOCAL CASUALTIES: 0

ROLLING CASUALTY COUNT: 520

First Battalion St Avaast ‘A’ Lines: Relief of Second Sherwood Foresters.

Second Battalion A draft of 98 other ranks commanded by Major Grogan joined the Battalion.  Battalion in billets in vicinity of Railway station Bailleul.  Major Grogan took over temporary command of Battalion and the following officers proceeded on leave to England: Major Hankey, Captains Clarke, Ford and Grimley.
 
Third Battalion Kemmel: As 21st two companies in reserve trenches two in billets.

A further draft of 30 men will leave Worcester tomorrow to join the Eighth Battalion, Captain H M Griffiths will accompany the men.

During the past few days various rumours have been current in the city concerning the impending arrival of a large number of additional troops.  First it was reported that 1,000 Canadians were to come to Norton; then a Regiment of Highlanders were to come from Birmingham (why from Birmingham we never understood).  Next it was the 12th Worcesters, and now this morning the number had increased to 6,000, all of whom were to be billeted in the city this week.  All these rumours are entirely without foundation.  No intimation has reached the Garrison Adjutant (Captain Vigors) of the arrival of any additional troops, and he would have official intimation before any such troops were sent.  The War Office are making fresh arrangements  daily and whether they may decide later to send more troops to the city is another matter.  But, up to the present time, they have not so decided.

Territorial Concert: Next Thursday’s concert will be given by a concert party touring under the management of Messrs J Broadwood and Sons Ltd.  This party are giving concerts to soldiers in various parts of the country.  That on Thursday will start at 7.30pm.

A Miraculous Escape:The following is an extract from a letter received by Mrs Herbert March, of Worcester, from her brother:- “I had about the most miraculous escape anyone can have had in this war.  Captain ----, Mr ----- and myself were sitting in a trench about 12 feet long and 4 feet wide and deep, with a roof about 6 inches thick, with our backs to the end, and our feet crossing each  others’ in the middle, when a lyddite shell burst exactly in the middle of the roof.  We were all buried amongst the debris and bits of shell  and all choked by the fumes.  A lot of our kit which was in the middle was blown to atoms.  Capt ain….had a leg broken, and Mr ----had his leg rather badly crushed, but I got off with a bruised foot.  They thought a bone was broken in it at first, as it swelled so much, but now they say there is not.  No one could believe that we weren’t blown to atoms, and only my servant even thought it worthwhile to dig us out and see.  It happened about 3 o’clock on Friday, and we had to sit till dark, as it was not safe to move during the daylight.”

Information researched by Sue Redding.