Remembering today - 29 June

Corporal of Horse MALCOLM MACLEOD, Lifeguards, late of School House Breasclete, died today in 1919 at the age of 26

Remembering today - 28 June

Seaman HECTOR MACLEOD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 5 North Street, Sandwick, died today in 1915 at the age of 28

Private ANGUS MACKAY, Gordon Highlanders, late of 33 Valtos, died today in 1917 at the age of 33

Signaller COLIN ALEXANDER SMITH, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 27 Balallan, died today in 1918 at the age of 37

Remembering today - 27 June

Private JOHN ANDERSON, Canadians, late of Stornoway, died today in 1918 at the age of 32

Remembering today - 26 June

Sapper MALCOLM MACLEOD, Canadians, late of 7 Garenin, died today in 1921 at the age of 42

Remembering today - 25 June

Lance-Corporal ANGUS MACDONALD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 14 Lower Shader, died today in 1916 at the age of 21
Private MURDO MACKAY, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 31 North Bragar, died today in 1916

Corporal DONALD SMITH, Canadians, late of 29 Lower Shader, died today in 1917 at the age of 31

Remembering today - 24 June

Seaman ANGUS MACLEOD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 10 Portnaguran, died today in 1916 at the age of 27
Sergeant MALCOLM MURRAY, Canadians, late of 18 Keith Street, Stornoway, died today in 1916 at the age of 40

Remembering today - 23 June

Private NORMAN MACFARLANE, Canadians, late of 9 Aird Tong, died today in 1917 at the age of 33

Remembering today - 22 June

Seaman MURDO NICOLSON, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 11 Calbost, died today in 1916 at the age of 45

Remembering today - 19 June

Lance-Corporal ANGUS MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 56 North Tolsta, died today in 1915 at the age of 30

Private NORMAN MARTIN, Scots Guards, late of 30 Upper Shader, died today in 1916 at the age of 34

Remembering today - 18 June

Private DUNCAN MACKAY, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 1 Park Carloway, died today in 1915 at the age of 18

Seaman FINLAY MACLEOD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 46 Ranish, died today in 1917 at the age of 20

Seaman MURDO MACLEOD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 15 Swordale, died today in 1918 at the age of 20

Remembering today - 17 June

Private JOHN MACKAY, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 5 Achmore, died today in 1916 at the age of 23

Seaman MURDO MACDONALD, Merchant Navy, late of 29 Tolsta Chaolais, died today in 1918 at the age of 22
Private JOHN MURRAY, Black Watch, late of 25 Newton Street, Stornoway, died today in 1918 at the age of 33

Remembering today - 16 June

Private GEORGE MACSWEEN, Gordon Highlanders, late of 1 Upper Garrabost, died today in 1915 at the age of 24

Sergeant HECTOR MATHESON, Gordon Highlanders, late of 22 Valtos, died today in 1917 at the age of 23

Private DONALD MUNRO, Canadians, late of 40 Back, died today in 1918

Remembering today - 15 June

Private KENNETH MACDONALD, Canadians, late of 24A Tobson, Great Bernera, died today in 1915 at the age of 21
Private JOHN MACLENNAN, Canadians, late of 8 Kirkibost, Great Bernera, died today in 1915 at the age of 22

Private ANGUS MACKINNON, Canadians, late of 19 Melbost, died today in 1916 at the age of 25

Remembering today - 14 June

Private ANGUS GRAHAM, Canadians, late of 14 Keith Street, Stornoway, died today in 1916 at the age of 26
Private MURDO GRAHAM, Canadians, late of 19 South Bragar, died today in 1916 at the age of 23
Private JOHN MACAULAY, Canadians, late of 9 Sheshader, died today in 1916 at the age of 24

Seaman HECTOR FERGUSON, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 1 Portvoller, died today in 1919 at the age of 27
Leading Seaman JOHN (jnr) MACDONALD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 17 Back, died today in 1919

Remembering today - 13 June

Private DONALD JOHN MACKENZIE, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 44 Leurbost, died today in 1915 at the age of 22

Remembering today - 12 June

Seaman JOHN MACLEOD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 27 Upper Bayble, died today in 1916 at the age of 27

Private ANGUS MORRISON, Canadians, late of 2 Skigersta, died today in 1917 at the age of 29

Remembering today - 11 June

Private ALEX MACKENZIE, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 44 Coll, died today in 1915

WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 13 Aird, died today in 1918 at the age of 32

Remembering today - 10 June

Corporal MURDO MACIVER, Gordon Highlanders, late of 40 Coll, died today in 1915 at the age of 25

Private JOHN MURDO MACRAE, Canadians, late of 7 Point Street, Stornoway, died today in 1917 at the age of 32

Gunner RODERICK MACKENZIE, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 8 Aignish, died today in 1918 at the age of 20

Remembering today - 9 June

Lance-Corporal ALEX MACKENZIE, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 3 Upper Bayble, died today in 1915 at the age of 31
Lance-Corporal WILLIAM MACKENZIE, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 23 Borve, died today in 1915 at the age of 19
Sergeant WILLIAM SINCLAIR ROSS, Seaforth Highlanders, late of School House Shawbost, died today in 1915 at the age of 33

Corporal JOHN MACKENZIE, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 73 North Tolsta, died today in 1918 at the age of 38

Remembering today - 8 June

Bosun JOHN MACDONALD, Merchant Navy, late of Stornoway, died today in 1918 at the age of 54

Lance-Corporal RODERICK MACLEAN, Military Police, late of 53 Leurbost, died today in 1919

Remembering today - 7 June

Private DONALD MACMILLAN, Gordon Highlanders, late of 21 Aird Tong, died today in 1915 at the age of 20
Private DONALD NICOLSON, Gordon Highlanders, late of 4 Leurbost, died today in 1915 at the age of 19

Private MURDO MACLEOD, Canadians, late of 7 Ranish, died today in 1916 at the age of 30

Remembering today - 6 June

Private ALEX GRAHAM, Canadians, late of 14 Melbost, died today in 1916 at the age of 21
Private ANGUS MACLEAN, Canadians, late of 3 Shader, Point, died today in 1916 at the age of 31
Private ANGUS MACLEOD, Canadians, late of 14 South Shawbost, died today in 1916 at the age of 33
Private NORMAN MACLEOD, Canadians, late of 13 New Garrabost, died today in 1916 at the age of 28

Sergeant TORQUIL MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 22 Swordale, died today in 1917 at the age of 30

Intermission

For the next few weeks, this blog will publish the (nearly) daily Remembering Today postings, which have been scheduled in advance. Your blogger is taking a leave of absence until July 1st. Looking back over the past five months or so, I have worked my way through some very interesting aspects of local history, using a subscription to the websites of Ancestry and Scotlandspeople. It has certainly served to bear out my standpoint that you should view historical events through the eyes of the time.

We may not understand, with our 21st century eyes, the subservience shown by the ordinary soldiers and sailors of the First World War, who answered the call to arms without question. The term shell-shock was common parlance during the First War; we would describe it as post-traumatic stress disorder. But in those days, you had to "do your bit", and trying to get out, even after suffering injury and horrendous experiences, could earn you a "white feather" - the sign given to perceived cowards. However, worse than a white feather were the bullets, earned by those thought to be malingering, deserting or laying down their arms. Three thousand were shot at dawn.

Moving on to the Napier Commission and the witnesses that spoke at their sessions across the Highlands and Islands, shows a more distant time, with conditions we cannot imagine. The insecurity, caused by short-term tenancies; the wilful abuse inflicted by managers and chamberlains of landlords that were living the high life in London, and at times could not be bothered with the peasantry back north. The Napier Report, a pivotal document in the history of the Highlands and Islands, was only one of many stepping stones. Evictions never ceased, and as recently as the early 1990s, I have learned of a family being threatened with wilful eviction in this part of Scotland.

I feel it is important that these issues be highlighted and made available on the WWW, for all to find and read. Rather than publish it in book form, which does not allow for easy amendment, where necessary, and presenting the obstacle of cost. Not all books feature on Amazon, and not everybody can come in person to the excellent Stornoway Library.

I am not a trained researcher, and am therefore endebted to those who were willing to help me along over the past few months and years. You know who you are. I am looking forward to resuming my inquiries in July.

Remembering today - 5 June

Gunner MURDO MACKENZIE, Royal Garrison Artillery, late of 51 Lower Garrabost, died today in 1915 at the age of 19
Lance-Corporal JOHN MACRITCHIE, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 16 Lionel, died today in 1915 at the age of 19

Private JOHN MACKAY, Canadians, late of 12 Keose, died today in 1916 at the age of 30

Private WILLIAM GEORGE MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 3 Coulregrein, died today in 1917 at the age of 23

Fearful loss of life on the northwest coast of Scotland

The Hull Pack and East Riding Times of 12 January 1863 reports:

Sad news continues to be received from the north-west coast of Scotland. The following letter from Ullapool, dated on Christmas day, largely increases the calculation of the boats and men lost in the storm of December 18 and 19: "Our shores are literally strewed with wrecks, and day after day adds to the number. From Ullapool to Ru More it is said that the debris of no less than 14 or 15 boats have been washed on shore. In one place, which I have seen, there are the materials of at least three boats, with about 20 oars, broken and whole, four rudders and five cod and ling. In another place, which I have also seen, there are the wrecks of one or two boats, a number of oars, and a mast. A bonnet has been washed ashore in another place. The boats all appear to have come from Lewis, and from one parish in that island. I have been told that two boats with their crews managed to gain land in Assynt, and another further to the north. By their account there were 24 boats including themselves, all out from the parish of Ness in Lewis, fishing with "long lines" on a bank off the Butt of Lewis when they were overtaken by the storm which precipitated so many of them into eternity. They tried hard to gain land in Lewis, but, as the storm was straight ahead, their efforts were futile. They had then no alternative but to run with the wind, and, so far as I have been able to learn, of the 24 these three only managed to gain land. The usual number of men to each of these boats is eight but, taking, the minimum number, six, we have upwards of one hundred and twenty persons consigned to a watery grave. Great as that loss is, it is to be feared that it does not comprehend the total loss of life incurred by the island of Lewis by this terrible dispensation: for be it remembered that the men who escaped spoke only of the 24 boats which were out from their own place; they could say nothing as to the number that were out from other parts of the Lewis. Those that escaped lashed themselves tot he boats and spread their sails across in order to keep out a part of the heavy seas".
A letter of the 24th, from the Gairloch, confirms the above melancholy account of the loss of life by the storm. On Sunday and Monday a great number of boats were cast ashore on various parts of the coast. About a dozen have been found on the coast around Lochewe, most of which have been completely destroyed. The Islesman steamer called at Aultbea on Monday, and stated that two Lewis boats had made into Badcaul, Lochinver, who stated that 24 boats were out fishing on the Lewis coast, and it is believed that the wrecks found in Lochewe are Lewis boats, which had been caught in th estorm, and that the whole of the crews have perished.
[end of article]

The Am Baile website records this tragedy as the Great Ness Drowning of 1862, in which 31 men from the district were drowned. It would appear that the death toll, portrayed in the paper as copied above, were exaggerated.

Remembering today - 4 June

Private RODERICK MURRAY, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 27 South Dell, died today in 1915 at the age of 23

Private DONALD SMITH, Canadians, late of 24 Borve, died today in 1916 at the age of 24

Napier witnesses: Rev Ewen Campbell

Rev Ewen Campbell was the minister for Lochs from 1864 onwards. He appears in the 1881 census, marked as being born in Skye; the 1871 census adds Bracadale to those details, and the manse as being at Keose. In 1861, Ewen Campbell is minister at Rhuavrach, Benbecula.

Rev Ewen Campbell passed away on 9 February 1889 at Keose, aged 74, having suffered old age, and gastritis for 21 days. His father's name is given as farmer Gillespie Campbell, but his mother's name is left blank.

Napier witnesses: Roderick Ross

Roderick Ross, who is referred to as Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Edinburgh, gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Keose on 12 June 1883. At the time of the 1881 census, he is aged 40 and living at 33 Kenneth Street, Stornoway. Roderick is married to Isabella (32) and has a child, Annabella, aged 1. The census lists Roderick as a physician and surgeon. In 1891, we find Roderick Ross at the Doctor's House in Borve (Barvas), with a 9-year old son, John Mcdonald Ross. He remains at Borve in 1901, with his daughter Anna Bell Ross (26).

In 1871, Roderick Ross is lodging at 8 Finnieston Street in Glasgow, a student of medicine. He is lodging with a family of Mcdonalds (two parents and five children). His place of birth is not transcribed well "Leeks, Rosshire", but it matches with the "Lochs" we find in the later census returns.

Napier witnesses: Donald Mackenzie

Donald Mackenzie was the witness for Crossbost at the Napier Commission's hearings at Keose on 12 June 1883. The witness is listed as aged 68. Unfortunately, I have been unable to locate anyone by that name at Crossbost in any of the censuses.

Further information welcome.

Remembering today - 3 June

Seaman MURDO MACLEAN, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 14 Kirivick, died today in 1917

Napier witnesses: George Macrae

George Macrae was the witness from Grimshader, who gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Keose on 12 June 1883. The 1881 census shows him as a fisherman, married to Margaret, a year younger than himself and six children, Donald (21), Mary (19), John (14), Alexander (12), Angus (9) and Donald (7).

In 1861, George is 27, and living with his parents John and Mary (aged 53). Also there are his siblings Catherine (23), Kenneth (10) and nephew Donald (1). In 1851, George is 17, and staying with his parents in Grimshader. His siblings are Evander (19), Catharine (13), Kenneth (3) and Christiana (23).

The last reference in the currently available censuses is in the 1901 census, which shows George and Margaret aged 66, a daughter in-law and three grand-children. 

George Macrae died on 14 November 1919 at 5 Grimshader, aged 86. His cause of death is quoted as arterio sclerosis and rheumatism. George is the widower of Margaret (nee Macdonald), who had died in 1903, aged 69.

Napier witnesses: Kenneth Mcdonald

Kenneth Mcdonald was the witness for Leurbost, giving evidence to the Napier Commission during its session at Keose on 12 June 1883. He appears on the Report and on the census as a merchant in Leurbost, married to Colina who is 18 years younger than him. In 1881, he has two young children, Catherine (3) and Donald (10 months). By 1891, the family extends to Kenneth and Ann Jane, although Donald no longer features in the census. Their residence is Trantom Cottage.

Kenneth Mcdonald died on 13 August 1894, aged 60, as the result of an accident. He had lost consciousness after his head was struck by a cartshaft. The matter was reported to the Procurator Fiscal, and entered in the death register on 19 September. The name of Kenneth's wife is not recorded.

Napier witnesses: Roderick Finlayson

Roderick Finlayson gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Keose on 12 June 1883, on behalf of the people of Maravaig [Marvig]. We find him in the 1881 census, aged 55, married to Jane (nee Munro). Their son Peter (23) is also present in the house. Hebridean Connections tells us that Jane was originally from Melvich, Sutherland.

The census of 1861 shows us more of Roderick's family, Mary (7), Peggy [Margaret] (5), Peter (3) and John (1). Hebridean Connections note that there was a fifth child, Johnina, who died after choking on a fishbone. In 1871, Roderick is a carpenter, but in 1881 his occupation is noted as crofter and fisherman.  In 1901, the couple live at the schoolhouse in Marvig.

Napier witnesses: Murdo Mcmillan

Murdo Mcmillan gave evidence on behalf of the crofters of Gravir at the Napier Commission's hearing at Keose on 12 June 1883. He shows up in the 1881 census aged 57, married to Chirsty (53) with their five children Cate (32), Isabella (30), Chirsty (22), Donald (15) and Bess (12). The 1871 census also shows Margret and Robert, ages between Isabella and Chirsty. The family is also shown in the censuses for 1861 and 1851.

The 1891 census puts Murdo and family at 2 Gravir. We also see Chirsty's husband Kenneth Mcphail, and their child Catherine (3). In 1901, Murdo and Chirsty (aged 74 and 73) remain in Gravir, with some of their children and grandchildren.

Murdo Mcmillan passed away on 10 December 1907 at the age of 83, having suffered from mitral valve heart disease. His parents are named as Murdo and Euphemia (nee Mckenzie). His wife Christina (nee Macleod)  died in 1910 at the age of 83.

Napier witnesses: George Mackenzie

George Mackenzie was a witness from Laxay, who gave evidence at the Napier Commission at Keose on 12 June 1883. We find him as a 50-year old fisherman on the 1871 census married to Catherine (same age), and with seven children. They vary in ages from 4 to 26. The 1861 census shows Catherine to be 20 years older than George, which is a mistake; their youngest child at that time is only 10 months old.

George Mackenzie died on 29 May 1888 aged 69 of bronchitis. His parents are named as Colin and Catherine, and he is noted as being married to Catherine Mckay. His eldest son John reported the death to the registrar at Keose; he was unable to write his name.

Remembering today - 2 June

Gunner MURDO MACDONALD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 13 Swordale, died today in 1917 at the age of 29
Sergeant JOHN MACLEOD, Black Watch, late of 7 Kirivick, died today in 1917

Napier witnesses: John Mcleod (Kershader)

John Mcleod is noted as a witness from Kershader, giving evidence to the Napier Commission during its session at Keose on 12 June 1883. The censuses point at a John Mcleod living in a private house at Garryavard [Garyvard], a mile or so east of Kershader. In 1881, he is aged 49, married to Margaret (40) and having 5 children, Kenneth (14), John (12), Isabella (10), Catherine (8) and Finlay (4). Also present are John's brothers Donald and Murdo. The family, minus the children aged below 10 in 1881, is also shown in the 1871 census.
In 1891, John is shown at 12 Garyvard with his wife Peggy (a contraction of Margaret) and children Finlay (15), Isabella (20), Kate (18), Mary A (9), as well as the two brothers.

Napier witnesses: John Smith

John Smith was a 75-year old witness from Balallan, who gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Keose on 12 June 1883. We find him on the 1861 census in the parish of Lochs, born at Eskin [Eishken, the Park district] in 1807. He is married to Flora, and has 6 children, John (28), Anne (21), Roderick (24), Marrion (22), Kenneth (12) and Malcolm (6). The 1851 census shows the couple again at Balallan, also with David and Murdo amongst their offspring. I have been unable to locate this John Smith in later censuses.

Remembering today - 1 June

Serjeant FREDERICK CYRIL CROCKER, Northumberland Fusiliers, late of 18 Newton Street, Stornoway, died today in 1915 at the age of 27

Deckhand NORMAN MACLEOD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 22 Ranish, died today in 1918 at the age of 20