Keith and Strathisla during World War I

February 1916

Tue 1. Grange School Board agreed to reduce the number of assistant teachers at Crossroads School from two to one and to consider transferring some pupils to Sillyearn School.

Wed 2. Literary Society’s weekly meetings in February included a wide range of topics such as Conscription, the Life of Robert Burns and a Month’s Holiday in Belgium.

Fri 4. A four-day shooting tournament, run by the Volunteer Training Corps and the Miniature Rifle Club at the Drill Hall in Keith, concluded and the prizes were presented by Provost Dr Taylor.

Sat 5. At a meeting in the Keith Institute the Territorial Force Association stated they were now dealing with separation allowances for over 1,500 dependants of living personnel.

Sun 6. A Cadet Section of the Keith Volunteer Training Section was established at the Drill Hall when 52 youths, aged 14 to 18 were enrolled.

Mon 7. The Annual Meeting of the Keith Library and Reading Room Committee decided to increase the monthly intake of books to 32 in order to attract new members.

Tue 8. School Board advertised for a female certificated teacher with a sewing and singing qualification for School.

Sat 12. Collections had been made in the Arndilly and Maggieknockater districts in order to boost the depleted funds of the local Work Party.

Mon 14. Alexander McKimmie was appointed the new lamplighter for the burgh.

Tue 15. Blacksmiths and hammermen were being recruited locally for Government work in Bo’ness, making shoes for mules at the Front in France.

Wed 16. Only twelve pupils managed to attend the Glen of Newmill School as the heaviest snowstorms of the winter so far swept the area.

Thu 17. The League of Honour’s Patriotic Club presented a musical masque entitled “The Empire’s Honour” in the YMCA Hall. This was followed by a series of tableaux vivants all in aid of War Funds.

Fri 18. Despite the continued very stormy weather spirits were high with entertainments taking place in all the parishes of the area. A very successful concert featuring local talent was held in Hall in aid of War Funds. The Boharm School Board hosted a children’s concert in School. The bad weather and poor road conditions did not prevent a Grand Patriotic Concert in Sillyearn School in aid of the Red Cross. Stabling could be provided nearby on application.

Mon 21. New postal arrangements came into operation. Deliveries were reduced from 3 to 2 in Keith and there would be no second delivery in rural areas except for Newmill.

A Keith youth was found guilty of theft and sentenced to 12 strokes of the birch.

Tue 22. Mrs J. W. Kynoch of Isla Bank in Keith thanked all those who had responded to an urgent request for 400 pairs of hand-knitted socks for the troops.

Fri 25. The Military Tribunal for Keith Burgh turned down an exemption application for the “Boots” at the Commercial Hotel.

Sat 26. The Lord Lieutenant opened a Free Gift Sale In Keith Grammar School and at the nearby Auction Mart in aid of the Allies Relief Fund. This was followed by a Grand Evening Concert at the Longmore Hall.

Mon 28. Keith Juvenile Court fined a youth half a crown for sledging in the streets.

Tue 29. A meeting in the Keith Institute was chaired by the Lord Lieutenant to implement the War Office scheme for co-ordinating and regulating voluntary work organisations supplying comforts and clothes to the Forces.