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A recruiting office was set up in the Drill Hall in Young Street, manned by one Sergeant Andrew Anderson, the local recruiter.
By September 11th the newspaper could report that , "Almost every day during the past week men have been leaving the district to join Lord Kitchener's army. Up to Thursday Sergeant Anderson had sent away 62 recruits, a fair proportion of whom were married."
In the Parish Church, the minister, the Reverend Dr Anderson, devoted much of his time to telling villagers that the cause they fought for was just and that men should be encouraged to enlist.
"Preaching to a large congregation at the forenoon service in the Parish Church on Sunday last, the Rev Dr Anderson devoted his discourse to the European crisis. The preacher dealt with the origin of the war, and held that we were engaged in a righteous cause. Our weakness and our strength formed two interesting passages in these sermon. At the close, Dr Anderson expressed keen disappointment with those who were responsible for carrying on the game of football at a time when the nation was involved in a life or death struggle."
In early December the football league seemed to agree with him.
"The West Calder and District Football League have stopped all League games in the meantime. There are seven clubs in the league, and the stoppage of the games for a time may lead some of the strong young fellows to give their services to their King and country. On making enquiry we find that very few of the local football players have joined Kitchener's Army. We are at a loss to understand why this should be, as the training which a player undergoes ought to fit him specially for the ranks. Although we have got a recruiting sergeant in the village again, practically nothing is being done. There are still hundreds of strong, well set up young fellows in the parish. Where there are no home ties which form a barrier to them serving, and where their absence would not cripple the industry in which they are engaged, we think they ought to give the matter their serious consideration. We frankly admit it would be a sacrifice to many of our young men, who are making excellent wages, but we cannot yet believe that selfishness has got such a hold that they will turn a deaf ear to the call of duty at such a time as this."
One week later the wishes of the editor were granted.
"Eight young men (all football players) from Mossend village have enlisted within the past few days ... This is a fine lead to the other juvenile clubs in the League and we expect to see many others step forward to do their part in the defence of the country."
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