Captain is honoured with the Military Cross

An officer with family connections to Dunblane was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry, the Observer of 100 years ago reported.

Capt Arthur Henderson, A&SH, was well known in the town as nephew of Bailie and Mrs Hume, ‘Ellenslea’, Dunblane, whom he visited before the war. The 23-year-old captain’s father was Bailie Henderson of Paisley and he previously worked as a stockbroker’s clerk in Glasgow. Capt Henderson was also a good hockey player and turned out for Ferguslie Cricket Club, Paisley.

*** Villagers in Doune learned that local lads, Seaman T Garvie and Seaman R Cameron, were home on leave from the British Merchant Navy. The former was a stoker with the service while the latter worked as a wireless operator.

*** In Dryman, villagers noted that among the latest list of officers reported wounded, was Second Lt RA Murray, elder son of Mr RA Murray, Pirniehall. His wounds were not thought to be serious.

*** The Observer noted that at a tribunal considered an appeal against call-up “by a man who is a veritable Pooh-Bah in the number of offices he holds”. The applicant had no fewer than 10 official positions in the burgh of Grangemouth. His appeal was successful. Pooh-Bah referred to the haughty character in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado who held numerous exalted offices.

*** In the Observer’s regular ‘Women’s Chat’ column, the paper noted that the war had “not altogether banished the subject of dress from the thoughts and conversations of the fairer sex”. While fighting was continuing at the Front, shops were crowded with women as interested as ever in the “feminine wares” on display.

There was less choice in fabrics and colours than in previous years but “tinsel and gold lace” were plentiful and not prohibitive in price, and their use could aid any deficiencies in colour.

The paper added: “The war has certainly brought velvet back to favour; several makes have appeared this season and each more supple and with a more brilliant surface than his predecessor. Velveteens have improved also, and frequently are scarcely distinguishable from the real fabric.” In keeping with the times, black was back in favour as the colour for children’s clothes but chiffon velvet was the chosen fabric.