11 High Street
Trading as W Easton & Son

Thomas Easton (1860-1928) took over his father William’s grain, flour and grocery business on his father’s death in 1907. His shop front is shown below, decorated for George V’s coronation in 1911.

High quality grain was becoming more and more difficult to obtain (see Robert Grieve, baker). The UK imported 80 percent of its wheat and supplies were being curtailed by the U-boat threat.

In addition to his business activities, Thomas was involved in various civic and social entities:

• Town Council:
  • Provost (mayor): since 1908. He did not want to be re-appointed in November 1914 but was persuaded to stay on while international hostilities continue.
  • Bailie (magistrate): since 1903.
  • Member: since 1901.
• Parish Council: member.
• Eskdale Infectious Diseases Hospital: board member.
• Freemasons: Right Worshipful Master (most senior officer) of Lodge Eskdale Kilwinning no. 107.
• Miniature Rifle Club: range superintendent.

As provost, he hands the town standard (flag) to the cornet (master of ceremonies) on the morning of the Common Riding and receives it back at the end of the day. Below he is passing the standard to cornet John Wilson in 1914.

However, in 1915 he supported the total cancellation of the Common Riding due to the war and declined to hand the standard over, which was done instead by bailie John Cairns (see May, June and July in the Diary).

His wife Joanna Armstrong, from Midlothian, died in 1907 at age 45 while on a visit to Stirlingshire.

His only child William (1891-1916) left his position as a trainee accountant in Glasgow to be a dispatch rider for the Army Service Corps, attached to the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Thomas received news on 16th January 1916 that his son William had been wounded six days earlier and had lost his right arm. A subsequent communication informed him that William died in a Calais hospital on 22nd January 1916 from wounds caused by a shell explosion.

Thomas continued as provost until 1919, when he was succeeded by bailie John Cairns, co-owner of Ford woollen mill.

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