Thursday August 15^th, 1918

Sick. Light duty. Leg and arm.

The 9th Battalion/ Manchesters

Somewhat after the fact, the BWD mentions today that the 17th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment has been absorbed into the 13th Battalion, with effect from the end of July.  As such, today they report three decorated officers of the 17th are joining the Battalion.  None of them are allocated to B Company, Frank’s unit.

Supplies in Blighty

There has been rationing and price control since the beginning of the year – the range of items covered is extended regularly.  Several months ago there was a legal debate on the status of tea – was it a food stuff or not.  A couple of rich householders were charged with ‘stock piling’ tea and got off on this technicality.  The decision however has now been made – it is a food stuff and as such covered by the legislation. Woe betide anyone now who tries to order a tea chest full of it…

The newspapers now have a mixture of encouraging and cautious information.  On the one hand, a Coal Control Department has been created and a Coal Order implemented that is rationing coal and gas supplies to households.  Part of the challenge is that the coal fields of both France and Italy are in the hands of the enemy and therefore Britain is helping meet their needs as well.   One article states that the allowance will be sufficient for the needs of a modest home.  It is important to remember that coal was needed not only for heating and lighting but for industry and transport.

Allotments

There are now over 1.4 million allotments across the country – more than double the pre-war levels.  One in five households has one.  Not only does this help feed families, it also frees up shipping tonnage and has created capacity for 280,000 American troops to be transported across the Atlantic.

Blackberry Crop

Nothing appears sacred. ‘It was reported to the Ashby De La Zouch Food Committee yesterday that an Order would shortly be issued by the Food Controller commandeering all blackberries in the country, and that they would be gathered by school children.’¹

For the Rich

If money is no object, it is still possible to enjoy a rather unrestricted diet, as can be seen in the following advert from Fortnum & Masons.

Its ‘August Box’ does not require food coupons and comprises such delights as Foies Gras, Sardines, Turtle Soup and Shrimp Paste.  It is available for £1:1:0 and can be posted to either France or the Mediterranean.

For the Rest of Us

The bread subsidy is currently costing the British Exchequer £40 million annually.  With wheat and transportation cost rising, this is expected to reach £50 million very soon.

All this might be why strikes and industrial disputes, much curtailed in the early years of the war, are again at pre-war highs.  The latest is the ‘Scavengers’ strike in Manchester and Salford. Refuse is not being collected and the streets are filthy. The two sides are in arbitration and the strike will be settled in a couple of days time.²

9^th Battalion / Manchester Regiment, War Diary – 15^th  August 1918 – Haudricourt

Training and work as per programme. Programme of Training and Works for 16^th & 17^th inst issued. (Appendix No 4). Capt EH Coyne MC (MO) returned from leave to UK also Lt GA Roberston. Following officers from 17^th Bn (late) are taken on strength and posted to Coys as under:- 2Lt F Ruddy MC, DCM A Coy, 2Lt C Hill MC D Coy, 2Lt R Halliday D Coy with effect from 30-7-18. 2 OR Struck off by Base Medical Board with effect from 15-8-18. 2 OR stock off effective strength  on proceeding to Base 14-8-18. 17^th Bn, Manchester Regt was absorbed by 13^th Bn the Manchester Regt on 30^th July 1918.

References & Further Reading

¹ The Observer, August 11th, 1918, various articles. Quote from page 6

² The Guardian, August 16th, 1918, page 8