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In West Calder, the start of 1915 was celebrated in sombre fashion.
"On New Year's Eve a crowd assembled in the Main Street to herald the entry of 1915, but there was not the usual evidence of rejoicing and after the clock had struck the hour of 12 those present quietly dispersed to their homes."
Those at the front were never far from the thoughts of those in the village.
When the local lodge of Freemasons held their annual inauguration of office holders, they toasted the 'Army, Navy and Territorial Forces.' Fourteen or fifteen of their members were serving the country and rumours that the Hun was taking no prisoners, but shooting British and French POWs, must surely have taken the edge of the evening's events.
The hard working ladies of the Women's Work Party could at least feel re-assured however that their efforts had brought some comfort to the boys in the trenches waiting for the old year to end. There had been suggestions that gifts and 'comforts' had not reached their destination, but an article in the Advertiser in early January described how the work of those at home had brought some relief to those far from home.
"It will probably be gratifying to the thousands of kind-hearted people at home who have sent out luxuries for the soldiers to learn that there was no lack of Christmas fare for them. At every regimental headquarters could be seen piles of plum puddings, chocolate, tobacco, and other luxuries."
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