Man get nod to open rabbit farm
With the country suffering food shortages because of the war, Blanefield man Mr Allan B Graham was given permission by the Ministry of Food to open a rabbit breeding depot for the West of Scotland.
Cowie serviceman Cpl J Rankin, A&SH, attached to the Trench Mortar Battery, was awarded the Croix de Guerre and Silver Star for his work with the French Battery.
News about the former miner was forwarded to his wife who lived in Fincastle Place, Cowie.
Back home in Kippen was Pte Kenny who was just out of hospital after receiving treatment for shell shock. An officer from the village Lt Rennie was also enjoying a spell of furlough.
In Thornhill, ladies of the village work group sent two pairs of socks each to Privates James McLaren, William Buchannan and HD McPherson, all of whom were serving in Ireland – the first two with the Black Watch and the third with the A&SH.
There was a warm welcome in Aberfoyle for Military Medalist from the village Sgt Dan Campbell who was home in Drumlean for the weekend.
The sergeant had been in England for a few weeks but was expected to return to the Front in a short time. Pte Dougal Campbell, Craiguchty, was also enjoying a few days leave.
In Dunblane, Mr and Mrs Andrew Muir learned that their son Andrew, a private in the Seaforth Highlanders, had been seriously wounded and was in a casualty clearing station hospital in France.
The 19 year-old ex-civil servant enlisted a year earlier and had been in France a few months.
Enjoying home leave in Gartmore was Driver Walter McLauchlan, Royal Field Artillery, who had been serving in France for two years.
On the home front, a five yearold boy suffered fatal injuries when he was runover by a horse and cart in Bridge of Allan.
The young victim was John McDougall, who lived with his father Angus at Cousins Buildings, Allanvale Road, Bridge of Allan.
The tragedy happened when John was watching a military detachment passing along Henderson Street and stepped back to get out of the way of the soldiers.
However, he failed to notice a horse and cart coming in the opposite direction and was knocked down by the horse and run over by the wheel of the wagon.
He suffered serious internal injuries and died in hospital.