IN October, Colonel Mark Jackson of the Worcestershire Regiment Museum presented the 1914 Battle of Gheluvelt. The 2nd Battalion, Worcestershires were part of the British Expeditionary Force sent to Belgium in 1914, described as “that contemptible little army” by the Kaiser.

Col Jackson began by explaining the composition and character of that contemporary British Regular Army.

They were well trained, particularly in marksmanship, where soldiers could fire a minimum of 15 well aimed .303 rifle shots in one minute with some managing 25.

By October 1914, the Germans launched a massive advance to breach the British line and march down the main road and capture the critical Channel ports.

The Kaiser was to personally lead this victorious advance, knock Britain out of the war and force a French surrender. Not so. Into the breach stepped the Worcestershire Regiment.

With just under 400 men, they attacked across country, losing 100 plus men in their charge. They captured Gheluvelt village, near Ypres, Belgium, closed the line and prevented a complete disaster.

It was a close run battle and well explained by Col Jackson.

We should be proud of what our county’s soldiers achieved that day and encourage you to join their 100th anniversary celebration at Gheluvelt Park, Worcester on October 31.

The next meeting is on Wednesday, November 5 when Ron Gallivan will present 1914 Christmas Truces.

Call Ron on 01527 545450 or e-mail ronnieg33b@hotmail.

co.uk for full details.

At the meeting on August 6, the talk was Prelude to WW1 by member Pauline Stroud.

She explained how the war came about due to the longstanding rivalries between Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Austria-Hungary and Germany, each of which had ambitions for territorial, industrial and military hegemony within Europe and as the Ottoman Empire gradually weakened, these ambitions became stronger and more aggressive.

Pauline spoke of the foundation of the Congress of Vienna in 1815 and up to the outbreak of WWI in 1914.

She explained how the whole story was wrapped around the struggle between the Empires of Russia and Austria- Hungry for the control of The Balkans, using Serbia as a pawn.