The following information was recorded in the town’s newspaper of 15 July 1916.

It is our painful duty to record the death, from wounds received in action in France towards the end of last month, of Private Harry Glen Wilson, Cameron Highlanders, the youngest son of Mr and Mrs William C Wilson, Ingleside, Beith. The young man was admitted to the clearing hospital in France on 27 June and subsequently to the 35^th General Hospital at Calais, where he died on Friday last. Communications from the chaplain of the regiment stated that the patient had been wounded seriously in the head, and his father endeavoured at the end of last week to obtain a pass to cross the Channel without success. Private Wilson served his apprenticeship in the Union Bank, Beith, and later removed to the branch of the same bank in Thornhill and again to Errol in Perthshire from where he enlised. He was only 22 years of age and a lad of great intelligence and great attainments, beloved by all his comrades and friends. To Mrs and Mrs Wilson the loss of their boy came as a severe blow following the death of their third son Robert (Bertie) at Gallipoli on 4 September last. The family have the sincerest sympathy of the whole community.

Mr John Ritchie, shoemaker, Townhead, has received a letter from Corporal James Robertson, of the same regiment, conveying the sad intelligence that his son, Private Robert Ritchie, HLI, was killed in a German trench. No official confirmation has as yet been received from the War Office. In the face of Corporal Robertson’s letter, and the fact that he has had no word from his son, the young man’s father is inclined to fear the worst. Private Richie joined the HLI on its embodiment shortly after the war started. He was trained in the legal profession and served his apprenticeship with Messrs Love and Williamson of Beith, afterwards entering the firm of Kidston, Watson, Turnball & Co., solicitors, Glasgow. He is a splendid type of the Scottish race, a very intelligent young man, and destined to go far it he still survives.

Mrs Gardiner, Bunswynd, Beith, has received intimation that her nephew, Private Matthew Parker, HLI, a native of Beith, now in Canada, has been killed. Private Parker was a steward on board the Hesperian, and was a likeable young man. A companion stewart, who joined at the same time, was also killed.

Mr James Hunter, Edinburgh, who for some years acted as typewriter and bookkeeper with Messrs Love and Williamson, here, has lost his son, Second Lieutenant Hugh Hunter, who was killed in the recent fighting. The young officer was a former pupil at Beith Academy.

Private William Anderson, HLI, son of Mr William Anderson, Wilson Street, is unofficially reported missing since 1^st July. There is a possibility that he may be a prisoner of war or in hospital unidentified. The family remain in a very anxious state.

Privage John Biggart, HLI, youngest son of Mr David Biggart, Wilson Street, is reported as having been slightly wounded. He has since returned to his unit. Mr Biggart has two other sons in France, Robert and William.

Private John Howie, HLI, son of Mr John Howie, Eglinton Street, is reported wounded. He was able to write and inform his father.

Private Jack Mitchell, HLI, son of Mr Ebenezer Mitchell, Grahamfield Place, has also been wounded.

Private Robert Muir, A&SH, son of Mr William Muir, carter, Townhead, is wounded and in hospital at Renfrew.  There are other names mentioned from local sources as being amongst the casualties, but as there is no confirmation officially, it would be premature to give names.

Soldiers on leave in Beith this weekend at last week include Sergeant Hugh Higgins, A&SH; Private John Peddie, A&SH; Private Walter Grossart, RSF; Private John Crawford, RSF; Private Cole, Head Street; Sapper David Clark, RE, and Private John Jamieson.

The Parish Church Sabbath School excursion took place last week. Headed by a lorry and two carts loaded with children from Gateside and with contingent from Barrmill in the rear, the procession wended its way from the Church Hall, down the strand and along Eglinton Street, with banners and flags flying and making a brave show despite the depressing effects of the falling rain. The destination was Stevenston, the party travelling by two trains from Brakenhills Station, this route being chosen on the score of economy as well opening up a new district of the parish to travellers. The day being still wet the party were directed to the Parish Church Hall in Stevenston where a suite of commodious rooms was kindly granted by Mr Kyd. Quite a number of the more venturesome were undeterred by the inclemency of the weather from enjoying the pleasures of the seaside in the open. For those who remained in the hall an impromptu concert was held as well as other amusements and between 4 and 5 pm the weather had improved and all adjourned to the seashore where an enjoyable two hours were spent in the usual style. Awaiting the return of the excursionists at Brackenhills Station were over a dozen carts, lorries or vans kindly provided by local farmers and others and the children were conveyed to their homes in a manner which greatly delighted them. To his great regret, the Rev I Grant Sutherland, for the first time in 29 years, was unable to be present, being at Sheffield on a visit to his son who was about to leave for foreign serve with RAMC.

At the annual meeting of the Beith Gaslight Company, on Tuesday Mr Matthew Gilmour presided. It was intimated that owing the various causes no dividend would be declared for the year. For percent was paid on the last division. The high price of coal and the money expended on improving the plant lately, and the effects of the Daylight Savings Act, and the decline in the price of by-products, have all no doubt contributed to the failure to declare a distribution on this occasion.