1915
FATAL ACCIDENT AT ROSYTH NAVAL BASE. A fatal accident occurred Rosyth Naval Base yesterday afternoon, the victim being Alexander Pratt (45), labourer, residing in Village. Pratt was engaged erecting a bucket-conveyer machine at the electric generating power station. He was standing at the time on a gangway over 30 feet high, when a plank slipped and he was precipitated on to the concrete floor beneath. He died while being conveyed to the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital. Prior to coming to Rosyth Pratt was engaged as a fisherman at Cellardyke.
1916
CELLARDYKE WOMAN GETS ALIMENT. Andrewina Watson or Gow, who sued her husband. John Gow, blacksmith, 24 West Forth Street, Cellardyke, for 30s weekly for aliment for herself and child in Cupar Sheriff Court yesterday, after proof had been partly led, got an award of 18s per week, with 31s 6d of expenses. Mrs Gow complained that her husband, who was now working on munitions Glasgow, had used violence to her. The Sheriff said that Gow seemed to have a bad temper and the pursuer a sharp tongue.
1917
DIED OF WOUNDS Royal Scots. – Smith, 27915 J., Cellardyke.
The importance attached to being a good swimmer was well evidenced in the Firth of Forth off Anstruther last Thursday morning. It seems that about eight o’clock the crew of the fishing boat Water Lily (Skipper Alex- Reid) were on their way to haul their nets, when one of them (Alex. Thomson, Burnside Terrace, Cellardyke) was accidentally knocked overboard by the sail into the water. At this time the boat was about half a mile out, and it was immediately swung round and a rope thrown to Thomson. It, however, took him some time to reach it, having on his oilskin coat and heavy boots; and but for the fact that he was a good swimmer, and was able to keep himself afloat until he got hold of the rope, the probabilities are that he would have been drowned. Having been ultimately safely got on board, he was soon brought home, but it has taken him some time to recover the exertions he made.
Sudden Death of Mr A. Gardner. A very painful case of sudden death of a well-known Anstruther man occurred in Cellardyke 4.0 Tuesday morning. It seems that Mr Alex. Gardner, who has long been the driver of the railway goods lorry, was apparently in good health, and was driving the lorry along James Street, Cellardyke, when he was observed to collapse and fall backward. Assistance was quickly rendered, and he was carried into an adjoining house, when it was found that death had supervened. Dr Wilson was sent for, and on arriving found that the cause of death was heart failure. Mr Gardner, who was 65 years of age, was a native of Anstruther, in which his whole life had been spent. He was originally a wood carter, but for the last 30 years he had been in railway service. He was well known and highly respected for his quiet and unassuming disposition. He leaves a widow and grown-up family to mourn his loss, and they have the sympathy of the community in their sudden bereavement.
Volunteer Smoking Concert and Presentation.
A well-attended social and smoking concert of the Anstruther and Cellardyke platoons of the Fifeshire Volunteer Regiment was held in the drill Hall, on Friday evening, and occasion was taken to present Sergt. John Laing with a handsome gold watch and chain in recognition of the services he has rendered as drill instructor. Provost Black made the presentation in a racy and felicitous speech, in the course of which be stated that the Sergeant was admirably fitted for such a position, he having by his exertions brought the Corps up to its present high state of efficiency. Sergt. Laing, in a few well-chosen remarks, suitably acknowledged the gift, stating that the work had given him great pleasure, the enthusiasm of the men, having greatly helped him in his duties as instructor, and that the local platoons were second to none in the regiment in point of strength and efficiency. The watch, which was selected from the stock of Second-Lieut. Bailie A. Burd. watchmaker, Rodger Street, bears the following inscription :—”Presented to Sergt. John Laing by Anstruther and Cellardyke Volunteers. January 19, 1917.” The company thereafter stood to attention and sang the National Anthem. After refreshments had been served, a most enjoyable social evening was spent in sentiment and song. The vocalists were—Lieut. W; S. Bonthron, Second Lieut. Bailie Burd, Lance-Corpl. W. Carstairs, Privates J. Bonthron, T. S. Laverock, W. White, D. Coleman, and G. Melville, while recitations were also given by Lance-Corporal J. Paterson, and Private Tait. Special allow mention should he made our local poet, Private P Smith, who delighted his hearers with two capital recitations, one of. which was his own compositions. Gramophone selections were also given by Corporal J S Gray, while the pianoforte accompaniments were tastefully played by Private W Alexander, The Concert broke up about 11 o’clock, everyone being highly delighted with the evening’s entertainment.
The new oilskin factory at Leven, belonging to Messrs John Martin & Company, Cellardyke, is expected to be completed within a, few weeks. The works will be capable considerable expansion, and will furnish another useful avenue of employment the town and district.
1918
Private Adam Brown. Cellardyke, Machine Gun Section, has been awarded the Military Medal for distinguished service during the fighting in November.
1919
DICK.—Pte. Andrew H. Dick, No. 250347, Company, 6th Black Watch, reported missing since 9th April 1918. Parents inquire—Mr and Mrs Dick, East Forth St.; Cellardyke.
CELLARDYKE MAN AWARDED D.S.M. Intimation has been received in Cellardyke that Adam Reid (Birrell), 25 Shore Street, has been awarded the D.S.M. for a gallant action performed while engaged in minesweeping. The crew of a fishing boat were observed in difficulties, and on coming up to them the minesweeper’s crew found that their gear had got fouled in a minefield- The commander asked for volunteers to endeavour to rescue the gear, and Reid and another young man agreed to attempt the hazardous work, and after some time they were successful.
Released Prisoners of war, arrived in England from Germany
BLACK WATCH………. Doig 291520 R. B. (Cellardyke);