31 August 1917

• Orange baker, William Roy Lowdon is killed in action in Belgium
• The Leader reports that yesterday’s inclement weather in Orange did little to dampen The Soldiers’ Christmas Gift Day fundraiser, which has raised £127 thus far

Summer Street and Lord’s Place were agog with a good humored body of men, women and children, all anxious to do their share in assisting to swell the day’s takings, and feeling, at the same time, that they were providing some Christmas cheer for, perhaps, a son, brother, or relative doing his bit in the gigantic struggle.

30 August 1917

• The Soldiers’ Christmas Gift Day is held in Orange – a major fundraising effort, with all proceeds to be sent to England, where comforts will be purchased and distributed to soldiers

29 August 1917

• The Leader pays tribute The Women War Workers of Orange, who “stand second to no town in the Commonwealth”

28 August 1917

Anti-conscription parade Montreal, Canada, May 1917. Image courtesy McCord Museum ANC-C6859.

• The Canadian Military Service Act becomes law; conscription is now effective. Two days of violence ensues in Montreal. The Conscription Crisis

27 August 1917

• Day 1125 of the war
• The Leader advises that a Soldiers’ Christmas Gift Day is to be held shortly in Orange “for the boys”

24 August 1917

• The Leader publishes the 332^nd casualty list. It includes John Faull from Orange, who is reported to be ill

22 August 1917

Frederick Albert Williamson (insert, left) holding machine gun. Image in public domain.

• Day 1120 of the war
• Frederick Albert Williamson of Cheeseman’s Creek writes home from France to say that his photograph appears on the cover of Australia In The Great War. One Lovely Dream

21 August 1917

• German zeppelin L-41 conducts a raid on Yorkshire, injuring one person and inflicting £2,272 damage

20 August 1917

• Millthorpe Public School invites past students to a fundraiser in support of soldiers serving overseas. Ex Pupils Song Evening
• French forces launch a new attack at Verdun and recapture more ground lost the previous year
• Sailors aboard German battleships begin to protest against poor food and living conditions. The protest would later develop into full mutiny.

17 August 1917

• Day 1115 of the war
• The Leader reports that 60% of the world’s wool production is being utilised to produce uniforms for soldiers. Military Wool Needs