Rifleman James Harding, Queen's Westminsters, who was killed in action on 27th September, was the youngest son of the late Mr James McGill Harding, for long employed in the Post Office, at Newton-Stewart, and librarian of the Mechanics' Institute, and of Mrs A. Tonge, Prescot. Rifleman Harding joined the Post Office Rifles under the Derby scheme in January 1916, and went to France twelve months. later. While there he we transferred to the Queen's Westminsters, and took part in several big battles. He was slightly gassed twice and once was sent to the base suffering from shell shock. Lately he had been acting as a stretcher-bearer and it was whilst engaged in bringing in wounded to the Field Dressing Station that he was killed. The late soldier entered the Post Office service at Newton-Stewart in 1901 and in March 1913, he transferred to Prescot, Lancs. He was a member of the 1st Newton-Stewart Coy. Boys' Brigade, for eleven years, retiring with the rank of Staff-Sergeant, and he served for four years in the 5th K.O.S.B. Territorials. He was a young man of high principal and a trustworthy and capable public servant. Much regret was felt in Newton-Stewart when the news of his death arrived, his family being well known and highly respected in the community.