LOOKING BACK IN TIME
The following was contained in the Town’s newspaper of 29th April 1916

Three of the four sons of the late Rev Archibald Bowman, EU Church minister here, are serving with the colours. The eldest, professor Bowman, who relinquished a splendid post at Princeton University, USA, is in England, while the other two sons are in France.

We are gratified to learn that Second Lieutenant C Cochrane-Patrick , Royal Flying Corps, has been awarded the Military Cross. He arrived home at Ladyland today. This is the highest military honour that has yet been awarded to a local soldier.

Two members of the Royal Flying Corps, Private John Millar, Wilson Street and Private William Kerr, King’s Road, were on leave here last week. Both have already had several flights in the air.


Sergeant John Osborne, son of Mr William Osborne, Whang, Beith, is at home on this weeks leave from the front after taking part in a most valiant action on Saturday night. The commander of the regiment had asked for volunteers to perform a very dangerous and difficult operation and young Osborne with Private James Robertson, son of Mr James Robertson, seed merchant, Beith, and many others proffered their services. The operation was successful and the company received the thanks of the Commanding Officer.

There is a possibility that the bus service to and from the Laigh Station (Low Station) may in the near future be discontinued. Difficulties have arisen since the war began, and the railway company and Mr Crawford, the ‘bus proprietor, have had consultations over the matter. The stoppage of a service which has been in continuance for a period of 70 or 80 years would be a serious inconvenience to the public of Beith.

Mr John Craig reports that the cuckoo’s cheery note was heard at Grangehill on Saturday, 22nd. The swallow, the harbinger of summer, was observed at Mains on 17th; the wheatear at Bigholm on 17th; the corncrake at Mains on 26th; and the common Sandpiper at Kilbirnie Loch on on 27 April. Mr William Dale, Water Superintendent, reports that the cuckoo was heard on Wednesday morning in the locality of the Druid’s Graves.

In Kerse Mission Hall on Sabbath evening there was again a fine attendance at the weekly service. The Rev D Baillie MA, Hamilfield Church, Beith, was the speaker and chose as his text 11 Corinthians 3 and 17, “Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there liberty.” Miss Jesse Wilkie, Beith, was the soloist, and sang very tastefully, The Call of the Roll on High and Tell it to Jesus, Miss Mackie accompanying on the organ.