The 1st World War had already taken its toll of football players by the summer of 1915 with former stalwarts like Bob Herbertson already killed and Bob Capperauld having died later of his wounds. Harry Simpson and Hugh McBride had been wounded, the latter hospitalised in Malta.

It was no surprise that Ayr United were only to willing to raise funds for the 3rd Glasgow Highlanders in a match held on 15th September 1915 at Beresford Park. The result was comparatively unimportant, the highlanders winning by 5-4.