Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 29^th September 1916 : Mr Henry Maginnis, 101 King Street, Glasgow, S.S. has received information that his brother, Private Herbert Maginnis, Scottish Rifles, was wounded in both legs by shrapnel on 15^th September. He was later informed that he had been removed to hospital in Brighton and doing as well as could be expected. Private Maginnis is 20 years of age, and belongs to Gatehouse of Fleet. Prior to enlistment in November 1915, he was employed as a clerk with the Gaumont Company, Glasgow. He has been at the front since July.

Dumfries Standard & Advertiser 21st November 1914: Private Charles Manson of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, who was wounded in action about a month ago in the north of France, after being treated in a military Hospital in the south of England, arrived home in Gatehouse on Saturday morning. Manson is a Gatehouse boy, being the son of the late Mr James Manson, who was a much respected citizen. He is a reservist, and served most of his time with the colours in India. After his discharge he was employed by Colonel Murray-Baillie at Cally at the copper mining operations at Culreoch, where he was still working on being called up early in August last. He has been on a good many engagements ... He was wounded early in the campaign by a shrapnel splinter, which, however was not serious, and he was scarcely off duty.

Newspaper Report (Dumfries Standard & Advertiser?) 9th December 1914: Writing to his mother on the 10th inst., Private Charles Manson, Gatehouse, tells her he has again been wounded. He had been shot through the arm ten days before, and was in hospital in Norwich. It will be a month or so before he goes back to the front, and he is being sent to convalescent home in Edinburgh.

Kirkcudbrightshire Advertiser 1st January 1915 : Private Chas. Manson, who is now recovered from his wounds, left Gatehouse last week. On the morning of his departure, he had a hearty send-off. Previously, Private Manson was presented with a silver cigarette case with monogram, and also a sum of money. Provost Campbell, in suitable terms, made the presentation on behalf of the subscribers.

Newspaper Report (Dumfries Standard & Advertiser ?)  17th April 1915: Mrs Mason, Catherine Street, Gatehouse, has received a letter stating that her son Charles had been wounded, and is in hospital at Boulogne. The letter stated that he was wounded in the chest, and was going on as well as could be expected. Private Manson belongs to the 2nd K.O.S.B., and this is the third time he has been wounded in action since the war began.

Newspaper Cutting dated 1969: Old Contemptible - With the death last week of Mr Charles Manson, Catherine Street, Gatehouse lost its last 'Old Contemptible'. Mr Mason joined the army at 17 and served in the Scottish Rifles and K.O.S.B. He saw service in India, Burma, Africa and Egypt, and later in France and Belgium during the First World War when he was wounded on three occasions.

The phrase 'Old Contemptible' refers to a member of the regular British Army who served in France between August and November 1914 (1st BEF). These soldiers qualified for the 14 Star (Mons Star). The popular derivation of the phrase is said to arise from an order from Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany who is said to have 'dismissed the BEF as General French's contemptible little army' - a reference to the size of the British army at the start of the war. However no written evidence exists of this statement and it may have been British propaganda.