Voices against ‘wretched’ cut in allowance

A meeting of Western District Committee of Stirling County Council discussed the practice of cutting the separation allowances paid to soldiers’ wives when their dependents were in hospital.

The medical officer pointed out the difficulty the local authority might be in if a mother with a child who was ill failed to call a doctor if she knew that two shillings would be cut from her allowance should the sick youngster be admitted to hospital.

Rev Macleod said it was a “wretched thing” to cut the allowance for that reason but a Mr John Wilson pointed out that while the child was in hospital, the mother would save on their upkeep.

A Dr Adam said that would be the case even if the child was at home.

It was agreed to write to the local government board suggesting that in view of the small sum that would be saved, it would be better to waive the claim to deduction.

Also on the homefront, the funeral took place in Stirling of Pte Thomas Bremner, 3rd Battalion, Canadians.

The 22-year-old was the son of Mr William Bremner, restaurant keeper, Baker Street, Stirling.

With relatives, Pte Bremner emigrated to Canada several years earlier. He enlisted at the start of war and travelled to France with Canadian forces.

He was wounded and died from kidney infection at a hospital in Wokingham, Berkshire.

His coffin, draped with a Union Jack, was placed on a carriage which was pulled by six horses from Stirling Station. A detachment of the A&SH were present and a piper played. Rev Mr Arnott officiated.