During mid March 1917, sister Miss Margaret M. Houston was awarded the Royal Red Cross decoration in recognition of valuable services in connection with World War One.
She gained her nursing experience Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, afterwards spending three years in Westminster Nursing Home. At the outbreak of the war she transferred to the Red Cross Society. Miss Houston was the first Blantyre lady to receive this decoration and she was soon after, under orders to go India.
Her parents, Mr and Mrs Hugh Houston, resided at Nanoevale Cottage, Blantyre.