Impromptu sing songs were a nightly occurrence at Heaton Park with the weather for the first time being pleasant.
Preparations were meanwhile being made for the arrival of the second Manchester battalion at Heaton Park
Fighting had been going on across the river Aisne described as the most violent of the campaign although official news was scarce.
A Times correspondent had said that General French’s army had been singled out for particular attention by the Germans.
The fighting had been going on for more than a week with the most severe attack according to the same correspondent on the west flank.
The battle, said the official press bureau was being fought in continuous heavy rain.
Normal life continued though in Manchester.The new Lewis store on Market a Street was offering a magnificanet choice of the best in British and French fabrics in its window display along with the latest in hats.
Wounded soldiers who had returned to Manchester were loud in their praise of how they had been entertained since ther return to the front reported the Evening News.
” many titled ladies in the south had interested themselves in giving the men a right good time and have personally superintended motor and river trips……”
The wounded soldiers were being treated at Whitworth Street, the majority were light hearted and returned with tales from the front.
Shrapnel fire, they said, was the most formidable thing about the German army and many had brought souvenirs back with then including German helmets medals and bayonets from the battle field
Finally a German who had been working at a recruitment office in Manchester was imprisoned after failing to register under the Alien act, he claimed that he had not needed to register because his father was a naturalized German however he had been born in Berlin.
