September 1914

Tues 1. Summer holidays over as pupils return to school.

Wed 2. The Panel Committee of “resolved to give free medical attendance to the dependants of men called away from their employment in the service of their country”.

Sat 5. At the Drill Hall in Keith a meeting of over 200 ladies began the task of the Central Banffshire Distress Committee to co-ordinate all private relief enterprise. Similar schemes at Banff, , , Huntly, Alford, Inverurie and Bucksburn were also to be channelled through the Keith Headquarters of the 6th Gordon Highlanders.

Mon 7. A meeting took place at Edingight House hosted by Miss Innes. This was a follow up to a meeting at Sillyearn where the ladies of the parish set up a committee to organise charitable collections for the troops.

Wed 9. During the War joint mid-week services were held in the three Keith Presbyterian Churches. Similar services took place in Holy Trinity.

Fri 11. Samples from local woollen mills were submitted to the War Office and Kitchener decreed that woollen mill workers on government contracts be exempt from military service.

Mon 14. Items discussed at Keith Town Council included the cleaning of the Cuthill Hospital for use by war wounded and the successful trials of rock from the Burn of Backmuir for road building

Tue 15. War Office order for blankets placed with Seafield Mills.

Wed 16. War Order places a large order for khaki cloth with Islabank Mills.

Mon 21. Last date for registering for the Voters’ Roll, but it would be December 1918 before the next General Election and 1919 before the next Keith Town Council Election.

Fri 25. A Patriotic Concert was held at Maggieknockater School with people attending from Dufftown, and .

Sun 27. Nearly 250 take part in the Parade to the Parish Church. It included the Town Band, the Gordon Highlanders currently billeted in the town, the Keith National Reserve Company and the Men’s and Women’s Voluntary Aid Detachments.