August 23 - Mons

Mons was the first major action of the BEF in the First World War. It was a subsidiary action of the Battle of the Frontiers, in which the Allies clashed with Germany on the French borders. At Mons, the British Army attempted to hold the line of the Mons–Condé Canal against the advancing German 1st Army. Although the British fought well and inflicted disproportionate casualties on the numerically superior Germans, they were eventually forced to retreat due both to the greater strength of the Germans and the sudden retreat of the French Fifth Army, which exposed the British right flank.

The Battle of Mons

During the battle, the first Victoria Crosses are awarded to Lieutenant Maurice Dease (the first psthumous award) and Private Sidney Godley.

Edward Croft,with the RFA, moves from Cartignies (in France) to Grand-Reng (in Belgium).

British artillery on the march

 
The Belgian town of Namur is evacuated by the Allies. French forces withdraw from Lorraine.

Japan declares war on Germany.

On the Eastern Front, the Battle of Tannenberg begins between Russia and Germany.

August 14 - Battle of Lorraine

The Battle of Lorraine

The French launch the "Battle of Lorraine" during the "Battle of the Frontiers".

The 1st Army attacks Sarrebourg, and the 2nd Army attacks Morhange.

Both armies plan to advance into Germany, but the attacks result in a German counter-offensive which effectively ends in a German victory by 25 August.











War credit amounting to £40,000,000 is authorised by the French Government.

The Bank of England issues 10 shilling notes to complement its recently issued £1 notes (see August 7)

10 shilling note issued by the Bank of England

August 10

Canada offers 20,000 men and 98,000,000 lbs of flour. The photograph above shows Sir Henry Pellatt, Commanding Officer of the Queen's Own Rifles, Toronto, at the head of his regiment.

France and Britain declare war on Austria-Hungary.

The French fall back from Mulhouse, but occupy passes in the Vosges.

In London 30,000 special constables are enrolled, and the Official Press Bureau opens.

Men of the Ontario Royal Grenadiers, leaving their camp at Valcartier

August 8

Flag of the Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine

French troops occupy Altkirch and Mulhouse, both in Lorraine and annexed by Germany following the Franco-Prussian War.


The Government passes the first Defence of the Realm Act, granting wide-ranging powers during the war period, such as the power to requisition buildings or land needed for the war effort, or to make regulations creating criminal offences. The Act, widely referred to as "DORA" and the symbol of restriction. 
"DORA" was caricatured as an elderly lady.

"DORA" depicted in a 1919 issue of Punch

The original Act was short and precise:

"(1) His Majesty in Council has power during the continuance of the present war to issue regulations as to the powers and duties of the Admiralty and Army Council, and of the members of His Majesty's forces, and other persons acting in His behalf, for securing the public safety and the defence of the realm; and may, by such regulations, authorise the trial by courts martial and punishment of persons contravening any of the provisions of such regulations designed—

(a) To prevent persons communicating with the enemy or obtaining information for that purpose or any purpose calculated to jeopardise the success of the operations of any of His Majesty's forces or to assist the enemy; or

(b) To secure the safety of any means of communication, or of railways, docks or harbours; in like manner as if such persons were subject to military law and had on active service committed an offence under section 5 of the Army Act.

(2) This Act may be cited as the Defence of the Realm Act, 1914."

The Act was repeatedly strengthened, the first such amendment being passed on 28 August. You can refer to the 1918 Defence of the Realm Manual.

The British bank rate was now at 5%.


The first funeral service for those who died following the sinking of the Konigin Luise (see August 5) and HMS Amphion (see August 6) is held today in the churchyard of St Mary's, Shotley, Suffolk. These included four Germans and four British sailors. All were buried "with the full honours of war."

Military graves in St Mary's churchyard, Shotley

Further details of the military burials at St Mary's can be found on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Website.