Remembering today - 31 July

Corporal ROBERT MACAULAY, Cameron Highlanders, late of 12 James Street, Stornoway, died today in 1917 at the age of 39
Signaller KENNETH MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 10 Balallan, died today in 1917

Private HECTOR MORRISON, Gordon Highlanders, late of Hawthorn Cottage Laxdale, died today in 1918 at the age of 32

Gunner D J SMITH, Royal Marine Artillery, late of 34 Lower Barvas, died today in 1919 at the age of 26

Pilot Officer (W. Op./Air gnr) FRANK RICHARD HANCOCK, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, late of Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne, died today in 1942

Remembering the Fallen of the Second World War - 1939

I have completed the transcription of tributes to the Fallen from Lewis for the year 1939, which comprises the first 4 months of the Second World War. The Stornoway Gazette records 19 losses until the last week of that year, and I am highlighting the following tributes:

The sinking of the trawler James Ludford
The heroes of the Rawalpindi
Donald Macarthur, 10 Cromore
Angus John Paterson, 3 Brue
Murdo Mackenzie, 21 Swordale
Alex Finlayson, 10 Calbost
John Montgomery, 16 Ranish

The full list of names of Lewis casualties for 1939 is:

1. Murdo Mackenzie, 21 Swordale
2. John Mackenzie, 21 Swordale [Rawalpindi]
3. Norman Macleod, 25 Swordale [Rawalpindi]
4. Angus John Paterson, 3 Brue [Northern Rover]
5. Alexander Matheson, 26 Brue [James Ludford]
6. Archibald Macrae Rodger, 59 Keith Street, Stornoway [RAF]
7. John Murdo Nicolson, 3 Marybank / 39 Lower Bayble [Rawalpindi]
8. William Macleod, Marybank [Rawalpindi]
9. Donald Macarthur, 10 Cromore [Rawalpindi]
10. Alexander Finlayson, 10 Calbost [Courageous]
11. Alexander Crichton, 15 Eagleton [James Ludford]
12. John Montgomery, 16 Ranish
13. Allan Morrison, 31 North Street, Sandwick
14. William Macleod, 14 Sheshader [Rawalpindi]
15. Colin Mackay, 31 South Bragar [Rawalpindi]
16. Donald Smith jnr, 52 North Tolsta [Rawalpindi]
17. Samuel Graham, Vatisker [Royal Oak]
18. Donald Mackenzie, 22 Tolstachaolais
19. Malcolm Graham, Church Street, Borve [James Ludford]
20. Murdo Mackay, 53 Back [Rawalpindi]
21. William Maciver, 36 Coll

Archibald Macrae Rodger was the first Lewis casualty of the war, when he was killed during a leaflet drop over Germany on 7 September 1939. He was the only RAF casualty in 1939; the other twenty men were all serving with the Royal Naval Reserve. The name in square brackets is the name of the ship that a man was serving in when it was sunk.

Remembering today - 30 July

Deckhand NORMAN NICOLSON, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 5 Valtos, died today in 1917 at the age of 28

Remembering today - 29 July

Private DONALD MARTIN, Australians, late of 59 Back, died today in 1916 at the age of 28

Seaman NORMAN GRAHAM, Royal Naval Reserve, late of Flesherin, died today in 1917 at the age of 19

Sergeant (Flight Engineer) ANGUS MACIVER, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, late of Registry Knock, Carloway, died today in 1944 at the age of 22.

A tale of two brothers

Today, I have transcribed several tributes to men from Lewis who fell during the first four months of the Second World War. The greatest losses were incurred on 23 November 1939, when the armed merchant vessel Rawalpindi took on the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. I shall devote a separate blogpost to the tributes related to that event. One casualty, however, John Mackenzie of 21 Swordale, lost his brother only twenty days beforehand. Murdo drowned off Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 3 November 1939 at the age of 29.

Murdo Mackenzie was a very popular fellow in the island in the late 1930s, as he was a bus driver at Swordale and involved with the local football teams. Apart from the tribute I have transcribed, there were several more to Murd in later editions of the Gazette.

Remembering today - 28 July

Private RODERICK SMITH, Cameron Highlanders, late of Post Office Keose, died today in 1917 at the age of 24

Sergeant WILLIAM MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 3 North Dell, died today in 1918 at the age of 42

Seaman JOHN FERGUSON, Royal Navy, late of 25 Fivepenny and 40 Manor Park, Stornoway, died today in 1940 at the age of 22.

Remembering today - 27 July

Lance-Corporal GEORGE MACAULAY, Australians, late of 7 Crossbost, died today in 1916 at the age of 36

Leading Seaman DONALD MACKINNON, Royal Navy, late of 7 Cromore, died today in 1940

Remembering today - 26 July

Seaman MURDO MACKENZIE, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 5 Portvoller, died today in 1915 at the age of 41

Seaman DONALD SMITH, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 18 Ballantrushal, died today in 1917 at the age of 18

Seaman WILLIAM MACDONALD, Merchant Navy, late of 37 Lower Bayble, died today in 1918 at the age of 32

Able Seaman MURDO MACLEAN, Merchant Navy, late of 4 New Holdings, Leurbost, died today in 1943 at the age of 21.
Private MALCOLM MURRAY, 3rd Seaforth Highlanders, late of 14 Swainbost, died today in 1943 at the age of 46.

Remembering today - 25 July

Private DONALD MACAULAY, Canadians, late of 25 Callanish, died today in 1916 at the age of 26

Aircrafts Woman 1st class CATHERINE MACLEOD, Women's Auxiliary Air Force, late of 23 Marvig, died today in 1942 at the age of 21.

Bosun EVANDER MACMILLAN, Merchant Navy, late of 23 Gravir, died today in 1943 at the age of 35.

Flight Officer PERCY GRAHAM, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, late of 45 Matheson Road, Stornoway, died today in 1944 at the age of 29.

Private WILLIAM A MACIVER, Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Canada), late of 3 Westview Terrace, Stornoway, died today in 1944 at the age of 21.

Able Seaman JOHN MACLEOD, Royal Naval Reserve, Patrol Service, late of Lower Bayble, died today in 1944 at the age of 34.

Remembering today - also including WW2 casualties

From tomorrow onwards, the (nearly) daily Remembering Today postings will include references to casualties from Lewis who fell during the Second World War.

Remembering today - 24 July

Seaman ANGUS MORRISON, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 13B Kneep, died today in 1918 at the age of 47

Remembering today - 23 July

Private JOHN MACDONALD, Cameron Highlanders, late of 14 Lower Shader, died today in 1916 at the age of 24

Seaman MURDO MACKAY, Royal Naval Division, late of 55 North Shawbost, died today in 1917 at the age of 42
Leading Seaman DONALD MACPHAIL, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 24 North Bragar, died today in 1917 at the age of 42
Seaman PETER STEWART, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 3 Lower Bayble, died today in 1917 at the age of 34

Clearances - Ross-shire

31 July 1883. The Napier Commission is sitting at Poolewe, Wester Ross, and Mr Fraser-Mackintosh is interrogating Donald Mackenzie of Second Coast, Gruinard.

28967. How may people were cleared out of what now goes under the name of Drumchork?
—I don't know about the number of families that were in Drumchork, but there was a place adjacent to myself out of which the people were cleared and scattered throughout the whole earth, and the people of Dingwall came and pounded them upon the stones; and the meal that was being prepared for the family was taken away off the fire, and thrown outside.

Attitude - Napier in Ross-shire

28639. Sheriff Nicolson.
—Do you really think a man is. in a nobler position who is working for day's wages to another, than a man who has a bit of land on which, if he is industrious, he feels that he occupies a position of some little importance in the country, and holds up his head with a little more dignity ?
—[George Pirie] If he is in the position of a small farmer who can tide over bad times, I quite agree with you; but if he has a small bit of ground and requires to appeal to the south for help, I think he is living on charity, which I think has a bad effect on the moral character. .

Remembering today - 22 July

Lance-Corporal JOHN BUCHANAN, Cameron Highlanders, late of 6 Kneep, died today in 1916

Seaman DONALD CAMPBELL, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 54 North Tolsta, died today in 1917 at the age of 33
Seaman MURDO MACDONALD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 9 Eorodale, died today in 1917
Seaman EVANDER MACLEOD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 34 Lower Bayble, died today in 1917 at the age of 34

Napier Commission in Ross-shire

Presently transcribing the Napier Commission's Report from  Ross-shire, in particular the session at Ullapool. One quote stands out from the fourth witness, 76-year old Duncan Mackenzie:

28009. Are your houses in pretty good order?

—They would be none the worse of being better.

Remembering today - 21 July

Lance-Corporal DONALD MACKENZIE, Gordon Highlanders, late of 27 Lower Sandwick, died today in 1915 at the age of 20

Remembering today - 20 July

Private JOHN GRAHAM, Gordon Highlanders, late of 39 North Tolsta, died today in 1915 at the age of 20
Private ANGUS NICOLSON, Gordon Highlanders, late of 11 Knock, Point, died today in 1915 at the age of 18

Private JOHN MACLEOD, Gordon Highlanders, late of 4 Scotland Street, Stornoway, died today in 1916

Private MATTHEW MACGREGOR, Cameron Highlanders, late of 1 Matheson Road, Stornoway, died today in 1918 at the age of 29

Remembering today - 19 July

Private DONALD MACLEOD, Canadians, late of Catherine Hill, Back, died today in 1917 at the age of 24

Remembering today - 18 July

Second Lieutenant MURDO DAN MACDONALD, Cameron Highlanders, late of 14 Portvoller, died today in 1916 at the age of 29
Private JOHN PATERSON, Cameron Highlanders, late of 3 Park Carloway, died today in 1916 at the age of 21

JOHN FERGUSON, US Army, late of 6 Crulivig, died today in 1918 at the age of 30
Lance-Corporal RODERICK MONTGOMERY, Gordon Highlanders, late of 14 Newvalley, died today in 1918

Remembering today - 16 July

Private GEORGE MACAULAY, Cameron Highlanders, late of 21 Newton Street, Stornoway, died today in 1916

Seaman COLIN MACDONALD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 2 Brue, died today in 1917 at the age of 44
Petty Officer DONALD MACIVER, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 17 North Tolsta, died today in 1917 at the age of 53
Private JOHN MACIVER, Cameron Highlanders, late of 3 Barvas Park, died today in 1917
Seaman NORMAN MACIVER, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 34 Coll, died today in 1917 at the age of 43
Seaman JOHN MACLEOD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 25 Lower Shader, died today in 1917 at the age of 45

Remembering today - 15 July

Gunner MURDO MACAULAY, Royal Garrison Artillery, late of 3 Keith Street, Stornoway, died today in 1915 at the age of 22

Private MURDO MACSWEEN, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 8 Lower Garrabost, died today in 1916 at the age of 19

Remembering today - 14 July

Private MURDO MACLEAN, Gordon Highlanders, late of 9 Dun Carloway, died today in 1915 at the age of 19

Private MALCOLM MACLEAN, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 25 Upper Bayble, died today in 1916 at the age of 23
Private JOHN N MACRAE, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 25 Coll, died today in 1916

Remembering today - 13 July

Private DUGALD K MACKENZIE, Canadians, late of 19B Crossbost, died today in 1916 at the age of 26

Remembering the men of Harris

Spent an hour or so in Stornoway Library today transcribing tributes to Harris men, who fell in 1917. There were only four tributes in the Stornoway Gazette of 1917, and one for a man from Berneray. The Tarbert War Memorial shows rather more, but details are rather scant. Nonetheless, I managed to fill in the details on one of them: John Morrison, who is listed on the Tarbert Memorial as being from Ard Slave [Ard Shleibhe].

Examination of his service record show that he came from "Beckrivig". A glance at the Ordnance Survey map translates that into Beacrabhaig, half a mile north of Ard Shleibhe on the road to Geocrab in the Bays area of Harris. John Morrison was killed in action on 17 July 1917 at the age of 34. He served with the 46th Australian Infantry, which he joined in November 1915. John was survived by his father Donald, I believe (although not with great certainty) that his mother's name was Mary.

Remembering today - 12 July

Private NORMAN MACRAE, Canadians, late of 42 Lower Bayble, Park, died today in 1915 at the age of 27

Private MALCOLM MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 19 Swainbost, died today in 1917

Remembering today - 11 July

Private JOHN MACGREGOR, New Zealanders, late of 12A Tolsta Chaolais, died today in 1920 at the age of 40

Remembering today - 10 July

Company Sergeant-Major RODERICK MACPHAIL, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 23 South Shawbost, died today in 1916 at the age of 42

Remembering today - 9 July

Corporal DONALD MARTIN, Cameron Highlanders, late of 76 North Tolsta, died today in 1915 at the age of 21

Corporal EVANDER MACIVER, Canadians, late of 9 North Shawbost, died today in 1916 at the age of 21

Private MALCOLM MACDONALD, Royal Marines Light Infantry, late of 13 New Shawbost, died today in 1917 at the age of 24

Seaman MALCOLM (Jnr) MACLEOD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 2 Habost, Lochs, died today in 1919 at the age of 22

Remembering today - 8 July

Private ALEX SAUNDERS, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 6 Upper Shader, died today in 1916 at the age of 22

Private MURDO MACLEOD, Canadians, late of 26 New Street, Stornoway, died today in 1919 at the age of 27

Remembering today - 7 July

Seaman ANGUS MACLEAN, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 28 Brue, died today in 1917 at the age of 18
Private JOHN MORRISON, Cameron Highlanders, late of 13 South Bragar, died today in 1917 at the age of 19

Seaman COLIN CRICHTON, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 11 Swordale, died today in 1918 at the age of 18
Wireless Operator NORMAN MACIVER, Merchant Navy, late of 4 Breaclet, Great Bernera, died today in 1918 at the age of 21
Seaman MURDO NORMAN MACLEOD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 39 Back, died today in 1918 at the age of 20

Remembering today - 6 July

Lance-Corporal ALEX DONALD MORISON, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, late of 76 Keith Street, Stornoway, died today in 1916 at the age of 37

Seaman DONALD CAMPBELL, Royal Naval Reserve, late of Church Street Garrabost, died today in 1917 at the age of 44

Remembering today - 4 July

Private WILLIAM MACDONALD, King's Own Scottish Borderers, late of 52 Bayhead Street, Stornoway, died today in 1916 at the age of 23

Private DONALD CAMPBELL, Cameron Highlanders, late of 15 Arnol, died today in 1918 at the age of 21

Remembering today - 2 July

Private NORMAN MACRAE, Canadians, late of 23 Upper Bayble, died today in 1915 at the age of 27

Private DONALD MACRAE, Canadians, late of 12 New Street, Stornoway, died today in 1916 at the age of 33

Seaman JOHN MURDO MACDONALD, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 7 Kershader, died today in 1917 at the age of 18
Corporal DUNCAN MACLEOD, Canadians, late of Craigleor, Lewis Street, Stornoway, died today in 1917 at the age of 29

Remembering today - 1 July

Private MALCOLM CAMPBELL, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 26 Cross, died today in 1916 at the age of 22
Private KENNETH GRAHAM, Seaforth Highlanders, late of Aird Dell, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Private MALCOLM GUNN, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 15 Eorodale, died today in 1916
Lance-Corporal DONALD MACARTHUR, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 29 Breasclete, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Private ALLAN MACDONALD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 18 Habost, Ness, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Company Sergeant-Major MURDO MACGREGOR, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 12C Tolsta Chaolais, died today in 1916 at the age of 30
Private JOHN DUNCAN MACKAY, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 8 Kershader, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Private WILLIAM J MACKAY, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 20 Adabrock, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Private EVANDER MACKENZIE, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 5 Upper Garrabost, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Private JOHN MACRAE MACKENZIE, Highland Light Infantry, late of 26 James Street, Stornoway, died today in 1916 at the age of 25
Private WILLIAM MACKENZIE, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 1A Mid Borve, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Private ALEX MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 30 Lower Garrabost, died today in 1916 at the age of 23
Lance-Corporal ANGUS MACLEOD, Gordon Highlanders, late of 6 North Tolsta, died today in 1916 at the age of 24
Private JOHN MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 1 Hill Street North Tolsta, died today in 1916 at the age of 18
Lance-Corporal JOHN MACLEOD, Gordon Highlanders, late of 20 North Tolsta, died today in 1916 at the age of 22
Sergeant JOHN MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 24 Tolsta Chaolais, died today in 1916 at the age of 24
Private MURDO MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 65 Back, died today in 1916 at the age of 21
Private ALEX MORRISON, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 14 Eorodale, died today in 1916 at the age of 20
Private JOHN MORRISON, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 16 Skigersta, died today in 1916 at the age of 18
Seaman MURDO MORRISON, Royal Navy, late of 37 Breasclete, died today in 1916 at the age of 45
Private KENNETH SMITH, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 25 Leurbost, died today in 1916

Wireless Operator SAMUEL MACKENZIE, Merchant Navy, late of 13 Garden Road, Stornoway, died today in 1918 at the age of 20
Seaman HECTOR MARTIN, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 43B Leurbost, died today in 1918 at the age of 21

Lost at the Battle of the Somme - 1 July 1916

Private MALCOLM CAMPBELL, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 26 Cross, died today in 1916 at the age of 22
Private KENNETH GRAHAM, Seaforth Highlanders, late of Aird Dell, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Private MALCOLM GUNN, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 15 Eorodale, died today in 1916
Lance-Corporal DONALD MACARTHUR, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 29 Breasclete, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Private ALLAN MACDONALD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 18 Habost, Ness, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Company Sergeant-Major MURDO MACGREGOR, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 12C Tolsta Chaolais, died today in 1916 at the age of 30
Private JOHN DUNCAN MACKAY, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 8 Kershader, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Private WILLIAM J MACKAY, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 20 Adabrock, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Private EVANDER MACKENZIE, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 5 Upper Garrabost, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Private JOHN MACRAE MACKENZIE, Highland Light Infantry, late of 26 James Street, Stornoway, died today in 1916 at the age of 25
Private WILLIAM MACKENZIE, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 1A Mid Borve, died today in 1916 at the age of 19
Private ALEX MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 30 Lower Garrabost, died today in 1916 at the age of 23
Lance-Corporal ANGUS MACLEOD, Gordon Highlanders, late of 6 North Tolsta, died today in 1916 at the age of 24
Private JOHN MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 1 Hill Street North Tolsta, died today in 1916 at the age of 18
Lance-Corporal JOHN MACLEOD, Gordon Highlanders, late of 20 North Tolsta, died today in 1916 at the age of 22
Sergeant JOHN MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 24 Tolsta Chaolais, died today in 1916 at the age of 24
Private MURDO MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 65 Back, died today in 1916 at the age of 21
Private ALEX MORRISON, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 14 Eorodale, died today in 1916 at the age of 20
Private JOHN MORRISON, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 16 Skigersta, died today in 1916 at the age of 18
Seaman MURDO MORRISON, Royal Navy, late of 37 Breasclete, died today in 1916 at the age of 45
Private KENNETH SMITH, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 25 Leurbost, died today in 1916