Worgret camp in 1917

[Guest AussieRex]

I'm seeking details about an incident that I suspect occurred at Worgret camp, Wareham, Dorset in February 1917. The actual date could be 22 Feb 1917, but I'm not certain. The incident involved a group of soldiers under military arrest being escorted back to the camp when a significant number (hundreds) of Aussie troops rioted. Thanks.

[Moonraker]

There's unlikely to be anything in the local press as such incidents would have been subject to censorship.Sadly there monthly war diaries of the Assistant Provost Marshal UK depots do not include that for February 1917 though a three-year summary does cover that time:

click here

I did try to access it but now and then the Australian War Diaries have a stubborn fit of non-co-operation; such was the case today.

If you knew units based at Worgret you could check their war diaries but my experience of checking those relevant to Wiltshire suggests that many "incidents" were glossed over. (After all,they reflected badly on the officers.)

Moonraker

PS You can also try the war diary for Number Four Command Depot which in February 1917 was at Wareham, close to Worgret. Searching the Great War Forum (via Google rather than using this site's own search box)for "Australians Worgret 1917" will give you some background info on the camp.

[Russ Newton]

I have just seen the request in 2011 for info on a riot at the Worgret camp in Feb 1917. I have a letter written by my uncle which gives a full description of the event. He was the Sergeant QMS, recuperating from wounds received at Pozieres in July 1916. If there is still interest in the event I can transcribe the letter

[Michelle Young]

Welcome to the forum. AussieRex who made the original enquiry, is no longer a member of the forum, as denoted by Guest. We won’t hold any contact information for them. I’m sure other members of the forum would be interested in the letter. 

[FROGSMILE]

11 hours ago, Russ Newton said:

I have just seen the request in 2011 for info on a riot at the Worgret camp in Feb 1917. I have a letter written by my uncle which gives a full description of the event. He was the Sergeant QMS, recuperating from wounds received at Pozieres in July 1916. If there is still interest in the event I can transcribe the letter

Yes, please do post the first hand account that you have.  Not only will it interest many forum members, but it will also be recorded here in the forum for posterity and also be of great use to future researchers. 

Edited 5 March , 2023 by FROGSMILE