The following information was recorded in the town’s newspaper of  20 January 1917

Private David Barr of the Canadian Infantry, who was reported missing on 26 September 1916, is now officially stated to have been killed on that date. From information received it appears that his body was recovered a few days later by a different company to that to which he belonged and the remains were buried in a  little cemetery in the vicinity.  Private Barr was a Paisley lad who joined the forces just after the war broke out and he had only been in the trenches a short time when he met his death. He was married to a grand daughter of the late James Millar, publisher, Beith, in June last.

In France, the British have made several successful advances in which the Canadians have bagged 100 prisoners.

Lieutenant John Douglas, Union Bank House, Beith, was on home leave last week. This young officer has been attached to the RGA for the last few months and returns to the front immediately. We wish him every success.

Private Alick Gardiner, Army Veterinary Corps, who has seen service in the Dardenelles and in France, was home on leave this week.

Sapper Robert Biggart, RE, is on sick leave this week from hospital, as was also Seaman Allan Meikle, RND.

Cadet John Osborne, late HLI, was on leave on a visit to his parents this week. Private Alex Smith and John Ferguson, RFA, are also on leave.

Second Lieutenant Alex McAughey, a native of Beith, who is attached to the Canadian Expeditionary Forces now in France, kind sends us a copy of “Another Garland From The Front.” This handsome volume chronicles the work of the Canadian Infantary Battalion (Western Calvary) since it was embodies in the Dominion in the early days of war. The battalion has been in the heart of fighting in France for over 21 months and during this stirring period it has been “over the parapet” on many occasions, and its heroic deeds, individually and collectively, are legion. The list of honours, awards and distinctions, won by the officers and men is very large indeed. The “Garland” has many interesting features. We beg to thank Mr McAughey for his courtesy. Anyone wishing to have a perusal of this book is at liberty to have it by applying at our office.

There have been despatched this week from Greenhills School 110 eggs and 10/6d in donations.

The first meeting for the enrolement of members in connection with War Savings took place on Monday night and to date 62 have members have enroled. (See advert for further particulars)

The late Mrs Robert Stevenson, who died at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr Alexander Blackwood, butcher, Troon, will be remembered as the lady who kept a dairy in Wilson Street, Beith, a number of years ago. She was a characteristic type of the Ayrshire farming class, and a sterling example of honest dealing and thrift.

The Barrmill Ladies Work Party gratefully acknowledge receipt of the undernoted contributions for the purchase of materials for making comforts for soldiers and sailors. Employees of Birsieknowe Pit 12s 1d; Dockra Pit 13s 1d; Kings and Company Giffen Quarries 12s 9d.

On Beith Tarmac on Saturday frost permitted the first curling match of the season in which James Reid’s rink defeated Mr James Anderson’s rink by 15 shots to 3.

Mr William Sampson, divinity student, a nephew of Mr John Herald, Main Street, Beith, has been unanimously appointed minister of Kinross Parish Church. Mr Samson, it will be remembered, officiated with much acceptance, at Hamilfield Church some time ago.

The Rev T McRoberts, Dreghorn, occupied the pulpit in the EU Church on Sabbath. Our readers will be glad to learn that Rev Mr Stoddart has improved, although he has not left the sanitorium in which he has been living since his illness.

In the Edinburgh Gazette of September, 1916, of copy of which is with Mr Howie, Strand, Beith, has shown us, appears the following notice of death in their ‘lookback in time’ section:- At Lochwinnoch, Thomas Reid, labourer. He was born October 21, 1745 in the clachan of Kyle, Ayrshire. The importance attached to this circumstance arises from his being the celebrated equestrian hero of Burns’ poem, Tam o’ Shanter. He has at length surmounted  the ‘mosses, rivers, slaps and styles,’ of life. For a considerable time bypast, he has been in the service of Major Hervey of Castlesemple, nine months of which he was incapable of labour, and to the honour of Mr Hervey be it named, he has, with a fostering and laudable generosity, soothed as far as it was in his power, the many ills of age and disease. He, however, still retained the desire of being ‘fu’ for weeks together.’