Kids’ scam proceeds spent on sweets

*** Mrs McAvoy, 40 Broad Street, Stirling, received word her husband, Gunner James McAvoy, had died from wounds received in France. Previously a foreman with Caledonian Railway Company, he was a reservist and called up at the start of the war. He rejoined the Army when his time expired.

*** As efforts to raise money for war victims and charities continued in Stirling, the Observer of 100 years ago warned of the “dangers” of children being involved in the collections.

Stirling School Board received a report from Mr Taylor, headmaster of Allan’s School, who told of three pupils who went door-to-door seeking cash. They claimed to be

*** A Stirling soldier who gained rapid promotion during the war was Major William Alexander, Royal Engineers, who had been elevated to the rank of brevet lieutenant colonel because of his outstanding service.

The elder son of the later Mr Thomas Alexander and Mrs Alexander of Brentham Place, Stirling, he had before the war been an enthusiastic Army volunteer and territorial officer. He held the rank of captain while in charge of the Bridge of Allan Black Watch detachments.

He later resigned his commission and was in United States at the start of the war. He returned and rejoined the Perthshire Territorials, taking up his old rank. His work on active service earned him promotion.

After being Mentioned In Despatches in January, 1916, he was made a companion of the Distinguished Service Order. collecting for “a fund for Indian missions and the relief of Belgian children”, and raised a total of 13 shillings.

Some of the money was spent on a box in which donations had been placed and envelopes for the same purpose.

There was laughter among board members when Mr Taylor said the rest of the cash had been blown on “sweets, ice cream, cakes, poached eggs – and slot gambling machines”.

One of the boys, described as “thoroughly bad” was considered the brains behind the scam and had been involved in all the transactions. The other two, both “fatherless”, were with him on separate occasions. All three had been punished.

A bona fide collection for the Belgian children displaced by the war had taken place in Stirling before Christmas, 1916. A fundraising drive for Indian Missions had also occurred. One of the scammers had taken part in that collection before using the experience he gained for his own ends.

Board member Mr TL Reid said the incident prompted the question of whether children should be allowed to collect money in this way.