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A note of discord was struck when the choir from the parish church visited Bangour to entertain the wounded. As usual, the choir performed a range of songs and then joined the wounded servicemen for a meal. A letter to the Advertiser was of the opinion that members of the choir who entertained at Bangour 'should not be sitting down to beef steak pie with the wounded. Would they not be better 'waiting on' the wounded ?' A reply from a member of the choir suggested not. ' We all have to eat after all. What better than the helpers should sit with the wounded.' Perish the thought that members of the choir might only visit Bangour for the free meal provided !
This correspondence no doubt caused a deal of upset amongst those who saw the motives behind their good intentions being questioned.
A similar bout of letter writing sought to remind soldiers wives about their duties when their menfolk were far from home.
'We have received a very strong letter this week about the conduct of soldier's wives leaving their children and attending the Saturday night's dancing in the local halls.
The writer says it is shameful to see those whose husbands are in the trenches neglecting their children in this fashion. After receiving the letter we made some enquiry and find there are several bad cases, and we hope the publicity given to it will make those who have young children at home take thought and stop the practice.'
The temptations that such wives 'endured' are well illustrated by the case of a woman from Westwood Rows, who was charged with causing a breach of the peace. Her husband was serving abroad and she made a weekly visit to West Calder to collect her 'separation allowance', leaving her children in the care of a neighbour. The woman was used to leaving early in the morning and returning late at night, with much of her allowance spent ! Her neighbour eventually took offence at this, words were exchanged about the conduct of those whose menfolk were fighting for King and Country and an assault ensued.
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