ARDROSSAN LIFEBOAT
The annual meeting of the Ardrossan branch of the National Lifeboat Institution was held at Ardrossan yesterday, Provost J B Chrystie, chairman of the committee presiding.  The committee’s report showed that the subscriptions and donations for the year were £86 1s 4d and the total amount at the credit of the branch was £86 3s 3d.  It was agreed to remit to the parent institution £80, an increase of £20 compared with last year and the highest sum ever sent by the branch.  Mr Thomas Guthrie, Honorary Secretary, said this was a record year for the branch financially.  The lifeboat was called out on three occasions during the past year, all three calls being within a month.  Office bearers were re-elected, Mr W D Russell, Maulside, Beith, being appointed president.
                Glasgow Herald, 16 January 1917

AN ARDROSSAN ASSOCIATION
At Ardrossan Town Council meeting – Provost J B Chrystie presiding – it was reported that the Council had agreed to form an association under the name Ardrossan Garden Plots Association and, in addition to members of Council, several local gentlemen were appointed members.  It was agreed to remit to the Works Committee to ascertain how much of Kilmahew grounds could be made available for feuing for workmen’s houses, and whether Lord Eglinton’s consent might be obtained.  Judge McKellar (shown below), in a report on town planning suggested that owing to the scarcity of dwelling-houses in the town steps should be taken to consider how the requirements of the population might be met and the overcrowding which was known to exist might be avoided. He hoped the Town Council would take up the matter before it was forced upon them.

                Glasgow Herald, 18 January 1917

FATAL ACCIDENT
While Fred Wilson, aged forty-two, labourer, residing at 94 Kilmahew Street, Ardrossan and in the employment of G and J Burns Limited was engaged in loading metal pipes into the steamship Grouse at Ardrossan Harbour, he was crushed beneath a load weighing two and a half tons and instantaneously killed.  He leaves a widow and five children.
                Glasgow Herald, 30 January 1917

CARNEGIE HERO FUND AWARDS
The monthly meeting of the Trustees of the Carnegie Hero Fund was held at Dunfermline yesterday, Dr John Ross, the chairman, presiding.  The following is a Scottish Award - Seaman Thomas Foy, Royal Navy Reserve, aged twenty-four, His Majesty's Trawler Ashlyn, on 10 October 1916, endeavoured to rescue a man, aged fifty, from drowning in the harbour at Ardrossan.  Foy was awarded an honorary certificate and the sum of £10.
                Glasgow Herald, 23 February 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE – JONES
Killed in action, 1 February, Sergeant William Hunter Jones, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, beloved husband of Elizabeth Hope and son of the late Benjamin Jones and Mrs. Jones, 163 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 9 March 1917

DIED ON SERVICE - WILLIAM TAIT
Drowned at sea when the steamship Narragansett, an oil tanker, was torpedoed off the Scilly Isles by U-Boat 44 – William Tait, aged sixty-one, pumpman, husband of Sarah Morgan or Tait, 22 Harbour Place, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 16 March 1917

 WHY ARDROSSAN SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS RESIGNED
At a meeting of Ardrossan School Board a letter of resignation was read from Provost J B Chrystie.  Captain the Reverend Charles Lamont, the chairman, said he knew Provost Chrystie’s mind on the matter.  He, Provost Chrystie, had had the same experience as some others of them had.  If anyone in that Board tried to do what his own conscience told him was right he was insulted, sometimes even physically threatened with a closed fist.  As a protest against that unseemly method, he also tendered his resignation.
                Glasgow Herald, 17 March 1917

THE BLACKMOREVALE
The naval minesweeper Blackmorevale – 231 feet in length, 28 feet in breadth and 7 feet in depth – built by Ardrossan Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company Limited for The Admiralty, London, was launched on the above date.
                Glasgow Herald, 23 March 1917

THE FAIREARN
The coaster Fairearn, built by Ardrossan Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company Limited for James Inglis and Company, Glasgow, and launched in 1915, was captured and scuttled with explosives, sixteen miles north-north-west of South Stack, Holyhead, while on a voyage between Garston and Cork with a cargo of coal.
                Glasgow Herald, 24 March 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE – POLLOCK
Killed in action, on 22 March, 1917, Lance Corporal James Bain Pollock, Yeomanry, Att Royal Scots Fusiliers, younger son of the late William Pollock, coal merchant, Paisley and Ilford and nephew of the Misses Pollock, Beaumont.
                Glasgow Herald, 7 April 1917

DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
The second District Assembly of the British Isles District of the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene was held at Parkhead, Glasgow, yesterday – the Reverend George Sharpe (shown below in 1901), district superintendent presiding.  Delegates were present from Ardrossan, Blantyre, Edinburgh, Gildersome, Morley, Paisley, Parkhead, Perth and Uddingston.  It was unanimously agreed to petition the Prime Minister in favour of total prohibition.

                Glasgow Herald, 7 April 1917

CLYDE SHIPS - THE HURLFORD
The steel screw steamer Hurlford, built by Ardrossan Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company Limited and launched on the 22 January 1901, now sailing under the name Bokn, was torpedoed by U-boat 30, while on a voyage between Bergen, Norway, and Aberdeen, with a cargo of fish oil.
                Glasgow Herald, 13 April 1917

HOUSING AT ARDROSSAN
Ardrossan Town Council has received a reply from the Ministry of Munitions regarding the housing problem in the town.  The reply states that the circumstances, as described by the Council, are not such as to justify the Minister in taking up the question of providing additional housing as there is no evidence that the output of munitions of war is being impeded by the lack of housing.
                Glasgow Herald, 21 April 1917

WAR CASUALTIES - ARDROSSAN MINISTER DIES OF WOUNDS
Second Lieutenant Dugald McArthur, Black Watch, was minister of New Ardrossan parish. He enlisted as a private about the beginning of last year and received his commission towards the end of that year, leaving a few months ago for the fronts.  He was a native of Renton and had a distinguished career at Glasgow University where he took the Arts and Bachelor of Divinity degrees.   He was a student assistant successively in the parishes of Appin, Kilsyth and Aberfoyle and was for two years assistant at Barony Church, Glasgow.  About four years ago, he was inducted to the charge of New Ardrossan (later the Barony Church, shown below in 2015).  He was married fully a year ago and leaves a young widow and son.  In consequence of his death, no services were held in the church yesterday.

                Glasgow Herald, 30 April 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE – McARTHUR
Killed in action on 21 April, Second Lieutenant Dugald McArthur, Bachelor of Divinity, Black Watch, minister of New Ardrossan Parish Church.
                Glasgow Herald, 1 May 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE – McKAY
Died of wounds, abroad, 23 April, G Douglas McKay, Second Lieutenant, Indian Army Reserve, attached Indian Army and Captain, Royal Scots Fusiliers, late of Irawaddy Flotilla Company, son of Mr and Mrs Hugh McKay, Annfield, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 1 May 1917

WAR CASUALTIES
Mr G Douglas Mackay – died of wounds. Second Lieutenant G Douglas Mackay, Indian Army Reserve, was the son of Mr and Mrs Mackay, Annfield, North Crescent, Ardrossan. He was twenty-six years of age and was educated at Ardrossan Academy.  About four years ago, he received an appointment on the staff of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in India.
                Glasgow Herald, 2 May 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE – McARTHUR
Died on 21 April, of wounds. Dugald McArthur, Second Lieutenant, Black Watch, aged thirty -one, minister of New Ardrossan Parish Church, beloved husband of Margaret Steedman Sweet, Elrig, Ardrossan, and only son of Mr and Mrs John McArthur, Rosebank, Renton.
                Glasgow Herald, 3 May 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE – McARTHUR
Killed in action, on 21 April, Second Lieutenant Dugald McArthur, Bachelor of Divinity, Black Watch, minister of New Ardrossan Parish Church.
                Glasgow Herald, 4 May 1917

WAR CASUALTIES – NOTES ON OFFICERS
Royal Scots - Killed. Lieutenant and Acting Captain Robert Thorburn Adamson was the eldest son of the Reverend R M Adamson, Saint John’s United Free Church, Ardrossan.  He was educated at Ardrossan Academy and Edinburgh University and received the degree Master of Arts in absentia.  He joined as a private.
Royal Scots Fusiliers - Wounded. Captain J McConnell, Rozelle, North Crescent, Ardrossan.  Before the war he was engaged in a shipowner’s office in Glasgow.
                Glasgow Herald, 4 May 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE – ADAMSON
Killed in action, 23 April,  Robert Thorburn Adamson, Master of Arts, Lieutenant and acting Captain, the Royal Scots, eldest son of the Reverend R M Adamson, C F (T), Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 9 May 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE – CLARKSON
Killed in action, on 5 May, 1917, David Birrell Clarksosn, Lieutenant, Canadian Expeditionary Force, Saint John, New Brunswick, second son of Mr and Mrs J R Clarkson, 10 South Crescent, Ardrossan, and late of Saint John, New Brunswick.
                Glasgow Herald, 12 May 1917

ARDROSSAN SHIP TORPEDOED
The cargo vessel Lady Patricia, built by Ardrossan Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company and launched in December 1915, was torpedoed by U-Boat 46 about ninety miles west of the Skelligs, off County Kerry, Ireland.  She was serving as a Q Ship, which is a heavily armed decoy vessel.  Thirty-one lives were lost.
                Glasgow Herald, 20 May 1917

NOTICE ISSUED BY THE SENIOR NAVAL OFFICER, ARDROSSAN, UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE DEFENCE OF THE REALM (CONSOLIDATION) (REGULATIONS), 1914
Restrictions on Cruising of Yachts, Motor Boats, Pleasure Boats, et cetera n the Firth of Clyde - to come into force forthwith
1   With a view to increasing the facilities for hand-line fishing in the Firth of Clyde, Yachts, Motor Boats, Pleasure Boats, Open Pulling Boats, et cetera are hereby permitted to be under way for that purpose within half a mile of the shore until one hour after sunset, subject to limitations set forth in paragraphs 2 and 3.
2   This Order shall be in force during the months May to October inclusive each year and shall apply to the shores of islands within and of the mainland so far as they border upon the waters which lie between the lines drawn from Ardmore Point, Dunbartonshire, to Newark Castle, Port Glasgow, and from Ottercharach Point, Cantyre, to Corsewall Point, Wigtownshire, except as stated in Paragraph 3   This order does not apply to:
       i  the shore within one hundred yards of either end of the Clyde Boom Defence
       ii  the shores of Loch Long above the line drawn from Chap Point to Glenmallan
       iii  the coast of Ayrshire from a point one mile north of Ardrossan Harbour to a point a quarter of a mile south thereof
       iv  the coast of Ayrshire from Saltcoats Harbour to Irvine Harbour
       v  the coast of the Island of Bute from Bogany Point South-about to Kildavanan Point
       vi  the Western shore of Inchmarnock Island
       vii  the Western shore of Great Cumbrae from Tomont End to Portachur Point
       viii  the Western shore of Little Cumbrae from Sheanawally Point to Gull Point
       ix  the Eastern shore of Holy Island.
Where the provisions of previous Orders shall remain unaltered
4   Previous Orders, together with the conditions prescribed on Yacht Permits, are hereby amended accordingly
5   A breach of this order will constitute an offence under the Defence of the Realm (Consolidation) (Regulations), 1914, and will be dealt with accordingly
A G Wright, Commander Royal Navy, Senior Naval Officer, Ardrossan.
Competent Naval Authority
H M S Pactolus, Ardrossan
16 May 1917
                Glasgow Herald, 21 May 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR - PHINN
Bombardier William Phinn - Canadian Field Artillery – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – killed in action - son of William and Elizabeth Phinn, 21 Kilmahew Street, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 2 June 1917

FUNERAL
The funeral of Mr Joseph Russell, shipbuilder, of Seafield, Ardrossan and The Knowe, Port Glasgow, took place yesterday afternoon to Ardrossan Cemetery.  A service was held in Saint John’s United Free Church, Ardrossan, of which deceased was an elder and there was a large and representative company of mourners from Greenock and Port Glasgow, as well as from Ardrossan and district.
                Glasgow Herald, 7 June 1917

DEATH OF MINISTER – THE REVEREND WALTER ROSS
The Reverend Walter Ross, who has passed away at his residence, 3 Arran Place, Ardrossan, in his eighty-second year, was a native of Ross-shire.  He graduated Master of Arts at Edinburgh and took his theological course at Aberdeen.  In 1862, he became minister of the Free Church of Abernethy,now the United Free Church of Nethy Bridge, where he continued for forty-five years.  About ten years ago, he retired from active work in connection with the congregation and has resided in Ardrossan since.  He is survived by a family of two sons and five daughters.
                Glasgow Herald, 11 June 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – SKILLEN
Lost at sea, Able Seaman Robert Skillen, aged twenty-nine, born Ardrossan – Mercantile Marine, Steamship Darius – third son of Mr Robert Skillen and Mrs Elizabeth Sillars or Skillen, Lenimore Farm, Pirnmill, Arran.
                Glasgow Herald, 13 June 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – McGILLIVRAY
Killed in action – Private John McGillivray, 8/10th Battalion Gordon Highlanders – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of Mr and Mrs McGillivray, 11 Herald Street, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 4 July 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – RAMSAY
Lost at sea, Stoker George Ramsay, aged thirty-six, Royal Naval Reserve – HMS Newmarket – Theatre of war, at sea – son of John and Rebecca Ramsay and wife of Grace Ramsay, Harbour Place, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 17 July 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR - BELL
Killed in action, Private Lawrence Bell, aged thirty-four, Canadian Infantry – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of Mr and Mrs John Lawrence Bell and husband of Elizabeth Lightbody Bell, 366 Lincoln Road, Walkerville, Ontario and later Barr Place, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 26 July 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – McMILLAN
Killed in action, Private John McMillan, Black Watch, (Royal Highlanders) – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of Mrs Jessie McMillan, 13 Hill Street, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 31 July 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – JOHNSTONE
Killed in action, Private John Johnstone, 9th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of Alexander and Jessie Johnston, Glenhead Farm, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 31 July 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – BRENNEN
Killed in Action, Private Hugh Brennen, 11th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of Charles and Annie Brennen, 111 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 31 July 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR - TRAVERS
Killed in action, Lance Corporal Andrew Travers, 6/7th Royal Scots Fusiliers – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – born and resident, Ardrossan – son of John and Agnes Travers, 16 Thornhill, Johnstone.
                Glasgow Herald, 31 July 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – McGAVIN
Killed in action, Guardsman Robert McGavin, Scots Guards - Theatre of war, France and Flanders - resided, Saltcoats, born and enlisted at Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 31 July 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – EDWARDS
Killed in action, Private John Edwards, aged thirty-seven, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers - Theatre of war, France and Flanders - enlisted at Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 31 July 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – BOUSKILL
Killed in action, Private Thomas Bouskill, 8/10th Battalion Gordon Highlanders - Theatre of war, France and Flanders - born and enlisted at Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 31 July 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – McKIRDY
Killed in action, Private John McKirdy, aged thirty-two years, 16th Battalion Welsh Regiment – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – husband of Mary Conn McKirdy, 12 Seton Street, Ardrossan and son of Mrs Margaret McKirdy, 37 Manse Street, Saltcoats and the late Robert McKirdy.
                Glasgow Herald, 27 August 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – HOUSTON
Killed at sea, Second Engineer James Houston, aged twenty-four years, Steamship Tuskar – Theatre of war, at sea – son of James and Janet Houston, Fleetwood, Parkhouse Road, Ardrossan.  On 6 September 1917, the Steamship Tuskar, on a voyage from Glasgow to Limerick with general cargo, was sunk by a mine from the German submarine U-80, three miles west of Eagle Island.  Ten of the crew lost their lives.
                Glasgow Herald, 8 September 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR - NOLAN
Killed in action, Sergeant Petern Nolan, 7th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment – Theatre of war, France and Flanders - son of William and Mary E Nolan, 33 Paisley Street, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 8 September 1917

VESSEL SUNK BY SUBMARINE GUNFIRE
The wooden sailing vessel Moss Rose, built by Ardrossan Shipbuilding Company Limited for Coppack, Carter and Company, Flintshire, and launched on the 28 March 1888, was sunk by gunfire from submarine UC51, seven miles north-north-east of Pendeen Lighthouse while on a voyage between Ellesmere Port and Cherbourg with a cargo of coal.
                Glasgow Herald, 10 September 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – McGRATTAN
Killed in action, Private Thomas McGrattan, aged forty years, 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, Theatre of war, France and Flanders – husband of Catherine McGrattan, 7 Winton Buildings, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 26 September 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR - BOA
Killed in action, Lance Corporal William Hamilton Boa, aged thirty-one years, 9th Battalion Canadian Infantry – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of Peter and Elizabeth Rodger Boa, 184 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 3 October 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR - ADAMSON
Killed in action, Second Lieutenant George Addis Adamson, aged nineteen years, Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of the Reverend Robert M Adamson, M A  and Robina S T Adamson of Saint John’s Manse, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald, 12 October 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR – SMITH
Killed in action, Lance Corporal Matthew Paterson Smith, aged twenty-seven years – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of the late Mr James Smith, and Mrs Smith, 83 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald,  12 October 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE - FORREST
Killed in action, on 26 September, Private James C Forrest, aged nineteen years, Royal Scots Fusiliers, son of Mr and Mrs Forrest, 15 Barrie Terrace, Ardrossan, late of Dippin, Arran.
                Glasgow Herald,  16 October 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR - TAYLOR
Killed in action, Private Andrew Taylor, aged twenty-two years, attached to 15th Royal Scots – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of Andrew Taylor, Montgomerie Street, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald,  22 October 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE – ADAMSON
Killed in action on 12 October, Second Lieutenant George Addis Adamson, son of the Reverend R M Adamson.
                Glasgow Herald,  26 October 1917

CASUALTY OF WAR - NOTE ON OFFICER
Mr George Addis Adamson – killed. Lieutenant Adamson was the third son of the Reverend R M Adamson, Ardrossan, and was educated at Ardrossan Academy. He was captain of the school cricket and football teams and acted in the Boy Scouts as patrol leader. Having matriculated at Edinburgh University where he won the Auchenairne Bursary, he entered the Officers' Training Corps of the University and after training in a Cadet Corps at Cambridge he was attached to the King's Pwn Scottish Borderers as second lieutenant. His elder brother fell at Arras some six months ago, while another brother is at the Mesopotamian front.
                Glasgow Herald,  29 October 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE - NICOL
Died of wounds on 15th October, Donald Brown Nicol, Australian Imperial Force, aged twenty years, dearly loved son of Mrs Nicol, New South Wales and the late Archie Nicol and nephew of Janet Nicol, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald,  3 November 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE – FLEMING
Died of wounds shortly after 22 August, Private William Fleming, eldest son of Mrs Fleming, Eglinton Hotel, Ardrossan, in his twenty-fourth year.
                Glasgow Herald,  10 November 1917

DEATH ON SERVICE – LOGAN
Died of wounds, on 29 November, on active service, Lance Corporal Peter Logan, Army Service Corps, Motor Transport, husband of Mrs Logan, 7 Windsor Terrace, Glasgow and chauffeur for eleven years with H Beckett, 7 Windsor Terrace, Glasgow and Glenfoot, Ardrossan.
                Glasgow Herald,  20 December 1917