Monday 31 December 2012

94 years ago today - 23:59

The year 1918 is drawing to a close and Big Ben in London is about to start striking the midnight hour. Six hundred miles to the north, HMY Iolaire is ploughing her way north through the Minch, passing between Raasay, Rona and the Scottish mainland. The weather, which had been reasonable upon departure from Kyle, is turning increasingly windy. A heavy swell is beginning to rise in response to the strong southerly wind. The lighthouses, which serve as reference points for mariners in the Minch, blink their messages to Iolaire. Milaid, on the rocky cliffs near Kebock Head; Rona; Tiumpan Head on the eastern extremity of the Point Peninsula; and Arnish, near the entrance to Stornoway Harbour.

In dozens of houses in Lewis, glasses are charged to the New Year. The last year of war is ending.
Dry clothes are draped over beds, a stew is heating over the fire. In the blackhouses in Ness, and the town houses of Stornoway. A kettle is at the ready on the stove. A plate, cutlery and cups on the table. From Eoropie to Brenish, from Lemreway to North Tolsta, and between Manor Park and Newton, the same scene is repeated over and over. Only two hours to go, the boat won't make Hogmanay. But it does not really matter, the boys will be home soon.

The clock strikes midnight. It is 1919. 

To be continued

94 years ago today

It is Hogmanay 1918, and the war has been over for seven weeks. Survivors from the Western Front and the war at sea are flocking home. As are hundreds of sailors from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Three trains pull into the harbourside station at Kyle of Lochalsh, and hundreds pour onto the platform and adjoining quayside to join a ferry home. The Skye men can take the short hop to Kyleakin, or join the steamer north to Portree. The sailors and soldiers from the Outer Hebrides have a longer journey ahead of them.

The mailsteamer for Stornoway, the Sheila is alongside at Kyle, but it very rapidly becomes clear that she has nowhere near enough space to accommodate the hundreds that want to go home to Lewis and Harris. So, a cable is sent to the naval base at Stornoway, and Rear Admiral Boyle sends HMY Iolaire to Kyle to relieve the congestion. Iolaire, the former private steamyacht Amalthea arrives in the early evening, bumping into the pier as she docks.

A disorganised scramble occurs, where the throng of men divides between the Sheila and the Iolaire. No record is kept as to who goes on board which vessel. Some start off by boarding the Iolaire, then switch to the Sheila. Others do the reverse swap. Finally, at half past seven, Iolaire casts off and heads north. The Sheila follows suit in short order.

To be continued.

Friday 28 December 2012

Remembering Iolaire

As in the previous two years, this blog will carry a series of postings during the evening and night of 31st December 2012, going into the morning of 1st January 2013, commemorating the sinking of HMY Iolaire 94 years ago. The postings are timed to coincide with key events during the Iolaire's fateful journey, sinking and aftermath.

Website

Thursday 13 December 2012

Morrisons from 19 South Dell


During the First World War, three sons of Norman and Annie Morrison of 19, South Dell lost their lives whilst serving in the Royal Naval Reserve. A fourth son, John, served in the Ross Mountain Battery but survived the war. Norman is not listed in the Roll of Honour as having served during the Great War.

We find the five sons in the 1901 census at 30 South Dell with their mother Ann (then aged 48); their father appears not to have been at home on the night of 31st March / 1st April 1901. Listed are Angus (18), Catherine (15), Norman (9), Alexander (12), John (6) and Finlay (3).

Alexander was lost on 20 January 1917 (aged 29), when his ship, SS Bulgarian was torpedoed 50 miles west of Fastnet by U-boat U-84. He is remembered on the Naval Memorial at Chatham.

Finlay died on 22 August 1917 (aged 19), when his ship, HMT Sophron, was mined. He lies buried in the Seafield Cemetery at Edinburgh. 

Angus was lost exactly a year later, on 20 January 1918 (aged 35) when his ship, the HMS Louvain, was torpedoed in the Aegean Sea by U-boat UC-22. He is remembered on the Naval Memorial at Chatham.

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Coire Geurad


View Larger Map
Loch Coire Geurad, shown above, is one of many inland lochs in Lewis, located at the centre of the island. The nearest road is about 3 miles away to the north, as is the nearest permanent habitation. There was never any permanent dwelling houses here, but the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland has listed 9 so-called sheiling huts at the northwestern corner of the loch. These ruins are designated as Gearraidh Coire Geurad. A sheiling is a place where people from elsewhere in the island would take their livestock in summer to fatten them up for winter.

In 1853, the site was described as consisting of 5 roofed huts. 120 years later, there were unroofed huts, one of which had three compartments.

I visited the southern end of Loch Coire Geurad in 2005 (the sheilings are at its northern extremity, on the southern slopes of Coltreasal Mor); just off the righthand edge of this picture.

Saturday 10 November 2012

Remembrance Sunday

Tomorrow, November 11th, is the 94th anniversary of the Armistice at the end of the First World War. To commemorate the sacrifice of those from the Outer Hebrides who made the supreme sacrifice in the major conflicts of the 20th century, I have put up several website, listing the names and (where available) details of each casualty.

Lewis
Faces from the Lewis War Memorial with further details in Lewismen lost in the Great War (incomplete)
Iolaire Disaster 1919
Lewismen in Canadian service
Lewismen in Australian service
Wargraves in Lewis
Isle of Lewis War Memorials
World War II casualties from Lewis
Roll of Honour - Isle of Lewis 1914-1919

Collaborations
HMS TIMBERTOWN
John Macaulay and the Kenmare
 
Other islands
Harris War Memorial
Berneray to Vatersay Tribute

Sunday 7 October 2012

Wrong Island

From the book "The Journal of Private Fraser", edited by Reginald H. Roy (ISBN 1-896979-28-9), published by CEF Books, PO Box 29123, Nepean, Ont. K2J4A9.

Page 179
Sunday 23 July 1916

We spent a very quiet time in the trenches. Cpl Matthews of the Scouts was wounded. Donald Mcleod, who transferred to the Stokes Gun, was severely wounded and I heard died later in Blighty. It was reported that a curious mix-up resulted in his burial. We had two Donald Macleods in the Company, the other Macleod being a native of one of the islands of Uist in the Outer Hebrides. His body was forwarded to this out-of-the-way island for interment in the local churchyard and advice sent to his supposed relatives. The body arrived, but apparently, the relations had recent word from Donald Macleod No 2 and so refused to take charge of the remains. The lid was unscrewed and the mistake found out. After lying around for about a week, "Big Don" was lulled to sleep in the island within roar of the mighty Atlantic. Though he spent practically all his life time in Canada, his birth place was the island of Lewis, so his final resting place was a fitting for a scion of the race of Torquil.

[ends]



Of course, Benbecula is not exactly near Lewis (in fact 60 miles away). Big Don was not a misnomer by any means; his attestation papers put his height at 5 ft 11 in, larger than average in those years. I am trying to find out whereabouts he was from in Lewis, but the usual problem has reared its head: there are so many men named Donald Macleod in that island.

Donald Mcleod
Date of birth: 9 June 1888
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Miner
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway

Not married

Military unit: Canadians
Service number: 79110
Volunteered at Calgary on 16 November 1914

Date of death: 4 August 1916
Interred: Nunton Cemetery, Benbecula. 

WW1 casualty from Valamus

Valamus is an abandoned settlement in the Eishken area of Lewis, cleared of permanent residents in the 1820s. The farmhouse has been in intermittent use since then, and was in fact the site of a birth back in 1891. Young James Mackenzie came into the world at 3 am on the morning of 6 December 1891. His birth was not registered at Keose until 2 January 1892. His father, John, was a gamekeeper, married to Henrietta nee Munro.


The ruins of Valamus by Chris Murray2
Image courtesy Flickr user Chrismurray2


View Valamus in a larger map

By the time James enlisted with the New Zealand Machine Gun Corps, his parents had moved to Lairg in Sutherland. He himself signed up from Herbertville, Dannevirke in New Zealand and embarked on 16 October 1914 on either the Limerick or the Arawa for Suez in Egypt. At the time he was with the main body of the Wellington Infantry Battalion. He died of wounds on 25 June 1917 and lies buried at the Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck in French Flanders.

Friday 5 October 2012

HMS Curacao

HMS Curacao was sunk on 2 October 1942 with the loss of several hundred naval personnel. She was sliced into by the troop carrier and former liner the Queen Mary off the coast of Ireland. Several casualties from this disaster were washed up on shores in the islands off the Scottish west coast. Some of them at Elgol, according to the West Highland Free Press of 5 October 2012, and a service of commemoration was held at Ashaig cemetery in Skye on the 70th anniversary of the sinking.


One of the casualties was from Lewis, AB Donald Maciver of 2 Newvalley, Stornoway. He was the son of Malcolm and Catherine Maciver, aged 26 at the time of his death. He was serving in the Royal Navy, registration C/JX259465. He is remembered on the Lewis War Memorial as well as on a CWGC gravestone in Sandwick Cemetery near Stornoway.


The Stornoway Gazette for 27 November 1942 writes:

In October, Donald Maciver, son of Mr and Mrs Maciver, 2 New Valley, Laxdale, was reported missing. His death has since been confirmed. The body was found at Kilmory Bay, Isle of Rhum, and buried there by the civil authorities.

Only 20 years of age, Donald was a student in Arts at Glasgow University. He joined the Navy for the duration and served for some time on a well-known cruiser. He was a fine, cheerful and upright young man of good promise, exceedingly well liked, and is much missed in the district. Much sympathy is felt for the sorrowing parents and family.


It should be noted that Donald's age at death was 26, not 20 as quoted by the Gazette; how he was transferred from the Isle of Rum is not recorded.

Not far from Rhum, in the neighbouring island of Eigg, we find two graves in Kildonan Cemetery, also casualties from HMS Curacao. The identity of these casualties is Known Unto God.


Image courtesy Maggie Fyffe, Isle of Eigg

Thursday 23 August 2012

Campbells, 16 Habost, Ness

Donald Macsween very kindly gave me permission to use this image of medals, recently retrieved from a house in Habost. They commemorate the deaths of two of his great-granduncles, Malcolm and Angus Campbell, during the First World War.



Private ANGUS CAMPBELL

Last address in Lewis: 16 Habost, Ness,
Son of Finlay and Marghed McLean Campbell, of 16, Habost, Port of Ness, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: C/7174
Date of death: 9 May 1915 at the age of 20
Killed in action at Neuve Chapelle
Memorial: Le Touret Memorial, Panel 38 and 39
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Private MALCOLM CAMPBELL

Last address in Lewis: 16 Habost, Ness,
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7204
Date of death: 24 May 1915
Killed in action
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 38
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Norman Maclean, 5 Vatisker


Gunner NORMAN MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 5 Vatisker,
Son of Donald Maclean, of 5, Vatisker Back, Stornoway.
Service unit: 4th Highland Mountain Bde, Royal Garrison Artillery
Service number: 4335
Enlisted at Stornoway

Date of death: 18 May 1915 at the age of 22
Died in Egypt
Interred: Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, grave L. 194
Mentioned on family gravestone in Gress Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Back; Nicolson Institute WW1, middle panel


Norman was 19 years and 6 months old when he enlisted on 29 April 1912. He was sent to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 19 March 1915. He arrived at Alexandria, Egypt on 2 April, and proceeded to Gallipoli on April 8th. On 7 May 1915, he was admitted to hospital in Gallipoli for a nervous breakdown. His death, according to official records, was caused by acute religious mania.

Norman is shown on the 1901 census aged 8, the son of Donald (56) and Ann (50) and brother to Catherine (25), Mary (17), Kenneth (13) and Alexander (11). By the time Norman died in Egypt, his parents had both passed away within days of each other in 1907, and his brother Alexander had drowned a few weeks after the death of his parents. Although pre-dating the birth of Norman in 1893, the 1891 census also reveals two elder sisters, Henrietta (11) and Ann (9).


His brother Kenneth served in the RNR and survived the war.

Thursday 2 August 2012

Change

I was recently shown a navigational chart for Stornoway Harbour, which dates back to 1919. Modifications were entered on the chart, to show (e.g.) the causeway to Goat Island. However, there were a few features on the chart that no longer exist today. The most prominent changes are on the Arnish Peninsula. The construction of the Fabrication Yard there in the 1970s changed the landscape beyond recognition.

This first image is from the early 20th century, showing Arnish House (Kildun Farm), which was demolished in the mid 1970s. A most intrigueing feature is the smearing house at the neck of the peninsula, which I will describe a little later in this post. The hill immediately northwest of the neck of the peninsula, height 77 ft, was partly bulldozed out of existence. In fact, the hill on which Kildun Cottage once stood has been removed and is now occupied by the Fabrication Yard.

The smearing house was the place where the sheep were smeared. Nowadays, to combat infestations by parasites, sheep are dipped with chemicals. Until recently, organophosphates were used. At the start of the 20th century, a mixture of salt butter and tar was used for applying onto the sheep. Tobar an Dualchais have published a recording from 1964 about the practice. In summary, groups of men went round the Highlands and Islands to smear the sheep, a dirty practice by all accounts, and great stories were told in the smearing sheds.





Saturday 28 July 2012

The Danish connection

Crossposted from Atlantic Lines
This evening, I found a comment, made on one of my local history sites by a Danish man who had visited the Outer Hebrides. Upon crossing North Uist, he visited the cemetery of Clachan Sands, about 6 miles west of Lochmaddy on the road to Berneray. I visited that graveyard in July 2009 and photographed the gravestone of Ewen Nicholson, who was lost during the First World War. An image of the actual gravestone in the Railway Dugouts Cemetery can be viewed on this link.



My Danish correspondent researched the fate of Ewen, displaying some very graphic and gruesome images of conditions on the frontline. I have looked into Ewen Nicholson's information and came out with the following:

Ewen Nicholson
Born: Grimsay, North Uist
Date of birth: 29 May 1892
Trade / calling: Labourer
Married: No
Volunteered at Valcartier on 23 September 1914
Age upon enlistment: 22 years 4 months
Height: 5 ft 10¼ in
Complexion: fresh
Eyes: light brown
Hair: brown
Religious denomination: presbyterian

Son of Alexander and Ann Nicholson, of Grimsay, Lochmaddy, North Uist.
Last known address in North Uist: 4 Aird nan Sruban Grimsay
Military unit: 7th Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Service number: 21065
Date of death: 3 June 1916 at the age of 24
Interred: Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Sp Mem G. 29

In 1901, Ewen was 8 years old. His father Alexander was a crofter, 41 years of age, married to Ann. There were four other children in the family: Mary (12), John Archie (10), Alexander (5) and Andrew John Macalpine, age 1 month.

Five days after his 24th birthday, Ewen lost his life in fierce battles near Ypres. He was buried in one of the many cemeteries around the town.

Tuesday 17 July 2012

The first Lewisman to fall in the Great War


Saddler PHILIP MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Golf House Stenish,
Son of Roderick McLeod, of Sandwick Hill, North St., Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Service unit: 123rd Bty. 28th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
Service number: 54183
Enlisted at Richmond, Yorkshire
Date of death: 26 August 1914 at the age of 27
Killed in action
Interred: Troisville Communal Cemetery, Sp. Mem
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial
Killed during retreat from Mons.
First Lewisman to fall in the War

Philip is shown in the 1891 census at 8 North Road, Skipsea, Yorkshire. He is aged 3, the son of Roderick (36) and Jean (35) and brother to Christina (12), Kenneth (9), Roderick (6) and Catherine (3 months).

His brothers Roderick and Kenneth both served in the Royal Navy; his brother Angus was in the Ross Mountain Battery. These three survived the war.

Wednesday 11 July 2012

3 Shell Street, Stornoway

This week, the bulldozers have started work to demolish number 3 Shell Street, the house behind the fuel depot at the roundabout on James Street, Shell Street and South Beach Street. It was the only inhabited house left on the street, but as it backs onto a live fuel depot, I am not surprised it is being demolished. We'll be left with an open view of the depot. A browse of the census of 1901 finds the Mair family in residence.

James Mair (52): fishcurer, born at Portknockie, Banff; his wife Maggie (45) and children Elsie (15), Joseph James (14), Maggie (13), Williamena A (11), Hugh Murray (10), Victoria (7) and Eliza J G (5).

Joseph James and Hugh Murray both lost their lives as a result of the First World War.

In 1891, the house was occupied by Elizabeth Murray (63), a seamstress.

In 1881, Shell Street was known as Imersligach, the name still used as the Gaelic streetname. Number 3 was occupied by a family of Mcleans: Kenneth (64, shoemaker), his wife Mary (55) and mother Chirsty (85) as well as son Murdo (13, scholar) and general servant Elizabeth Martin (25).

In 1871, the family of Macleans is in residence at 3 Imersligach. Kenneth (54, shoemaker) and Mary (45) and their offspring John (15), Murdoch (3) and Elizabeth (1), as well as Janet Munro, general servant (17).

In 1861, the family of Macleans is in residence at Imarsligoch Street (no number quoted). Kenneth (45, shoemaker), his wife Mary (35) and children Kenneth (11), Margaret (9) and John (5). An Alexander Maclean (21, cooper) is listed as a boarder.

Since this post was put up on 11 July 2012, it has been pointed out to me that the house was in fact 39 South Beach Street in the 19th century. 3 Shell Street was a little further east, towards Newton.




Sunday 1 July 2012

96 years ago today

Twenty-one Lewismen were lost on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, today in 1916.

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

Friday 22 June 2012

Four out of five


This gravestone, dedicated to the memory of a family of Macleods of Portnaguran, Point, stands in the Eye Cemetery. Although poorly legible nowadays, it relates the losses of four of the sons of Donald and Chirsty Macleod of 10 Portnaguran. Only one of their five sons, Donald, survived the First World War.

Alex was the only soldier; the other four served in the RNR. Alex was killed in action in France or Flanders, after joining up at home in Stornoway.

Although Norman survived the hostilities, he was lost in the Iolaire Disaster, when the ship that took him home sank within sight of Stornoway Harbour on New Year's morning 1919. He might well have seen the Tiumpan Head lighthouse, which stands not far from his home, just before the Iolaire sank.

William too was lost close to shore, but this time off the sandy shores of Belgium, when his requisitioned trawler was sank by fire from a shore battery at Blankenberge, near Zeebrugge.

Angus died at home, after being released from internment at Groningen, Netherlands, for medical reasons. He had been captured by the Dutch in October 1914 when the Royal Naval Division was beaten back from Antwerp. Several battalions crossed into neutral Holland, and into internment for the duration of the war.

Private ALEX MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Portnaguran,
Service unit: 1st Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 3/5655
Date of death: 14 December 1914 at the age of 20
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) panel 38
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Seaman NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Portnaguran,
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Macleod, of 10, Portnaguran, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Venerable
Service number: 1186TC
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 20
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 32
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Seaman WILLIAM MACLEOD

Last address in Lewis: 10 Portnaguran,
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Macleod, of 10, Portnaguran, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMY Sanda
Service number: 3398A
Date of death: 25 September 1915 at the age of 28
Ship sunk by shore battery at Blankenberge, Belgium
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 14
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Seaman ANGUS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Portnaguran,
Son of Donald and Christina Maclean Macleod, of 10, Portnaguran, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Victory
Service number: 3303/A
Date of death: 24 June 1916 at the age of 27
Died at home.
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery, grave D. 1. 53.
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)
Was released from internment in Holland for medical reasons

Wednesday 20 June 2012

50 Lower Garrabost, 31 March 1901

What went on at 50 Lower Garrabost on the night of 31st March 1901? The night of the 1901 census sees a number of visitors was present in the house of Murdo and Mary Mackay, a couple in their early fifties. Apart from their children John (12), Malcolm (10), Murdo (8), Mary (27) and Annie (6), we also find these visitors, most from the village of Aird Tong, about 10 miles away on the other side of Stornoway.

Annie Macleod (40) - crofter's wife, Aird Tong
Isabella Ross (68) - crofter's wife, Aird Tong
Mary Macdonald (43) - crofter's wife, Aird Tong
Paggie Graham (68) - crofter's wife, Shader (Barvas)
Cate Macritchie (68) - crofter's wife, Benside
Paggie Dods (51) - watchmaker's wife, Aird Tong

Census returns offer us a narrow glimpse into the past, and what happened at this abode to prompt this influx of female visitors will probably remain hidden in the past. If anyone does have information, please leave a note. 

Friday 15 June 2012

Mingulay

This week, the Island Book Trust is commemorating the evacuation of Mingulay a hundred years ago, in 1912. As part of that commemoration, I am posting the census return from 1901 from Mingulay, being registration district 108 and enumeration district 4. Each household is shown in a block, starting with the head of the household, their name, age and occupation (if known). Last year, I briefly touched on the demographics of Mingulay between 1851 and 1901.

Mingulay, 1 April 1901
Head: John Johnston, 23, Teacher
Cousin: Annie Mckinnon, 39, Cook

Head: John Macneil, 36, Fisherman
Wife: Mary Macneil, 28,
Daughter: Maggie Macneil, 5, Scholar
Daughter: Catherine Macneil, 3,
Son: Michael Macneil, 0,

Head: Angus Macneil, 82, Crofter
Wife: Maggie Macneil, 70,
Granddaughter: Annie Macneil, 18, General servant domestic

Head: Donald Macneil, 38, Fisherman
Wife: Mary Macneil, 35,
Son: Michael Macneil, 9, Scholar
Son: Neil Macneil, 7, Scholar
Son: James Macneil, 5, Scholar
Son: Joseph Macneil, 3,
Daughter: Marion Macneil, 0,

Head: John Macdonald, 44,
Brother: Donald Macdonald, 32, Fisherman
Sister: Catherine Macdonald, 36, General servant
Sister: Marion Macdonald, 33,

Head: John Sinclair, 67, Crofter
Wife: Mary Sinclair, 56,
Son: Johns Sinclair, 29, Fisherman
Daughter: Mary Sinclair, 18, General servant
Granddaughter: Annie Macmillan, 10, Scholar
Visitor: Angus Morrison, 30, General labourer

Head: Donald Macphee, 30, Fisherman
Brother: Neil Macphee, 22, Fisherman
Brother: Michael Macphee, 16, General labourer
Sister: Annie Macphee, 24, General servant
Sister: Mary Macphee, 22, General servant

Head: Malcolm Macphee, 78, Crofter
Wife: Mary Macphee, 68,
Daughter: Mary Macphee, 23, General servant

Head: Angus Macneil, 60, Fisherman
Son: John Macneil, 25, Sailor
Son: Donald Macneil, 23, Fisherman
Son: Roderick Macneil, 21, General fisherman labourer
Son: Michael Macneil, 18, General labourer
Daughter: Annie Macneil, 24, General servant domestic
Daughter: Mary Macneil, 14, Scholar
Visitor: Elizabeth Campbell, 13, Scholar

Head: John Campbell, 52, Crofter
Wife: Mary Campbell, 50,
Daughter: Catherine Campbell, 22, General servant
Son: Michael Campbell, 17, General labourer
Daughter: Maggie Campbell, 13, Scholar
Daughter: Bridget Campbell, 11, Scholar
Daughter: Margaret Campbell, 8, Scholar

Head: Michael Maclean, 37, Fisherman
Wife: Flora Maclean, 35,
Son: Donald Maclean, 6, Scholar
Son: John Maclean, 4,
Daughter: Mary Ann Maclean, 2,

Head: Michael Macneil, 49, Fisherman
Wife: Annie Macneil, 43,
Daughter: Marion Macneil, 12, Scholar
Daughter: Flora Macneil, 8, Scholar
Son: Rodrick Macneil, 10, Scholar
Brother: Donald Macneil, 43, Fisherman

Head: John Gillies, 40, General labourer
Wife: Flora Gillies, 42,
Son: James Gillies, 16, General labourer
Daughter: Annie Gillies, 14, General servant
Son: Alexdr Gillies, 12, Scholar
Daughter: Maggie Gillies, 8,
Son: Neil Gillies, 8, Scholar
Daughter: Christina Gillies, 5,
Son: Joseph Gillies, 4,
Daughter: Flora Gillies, 0,
Lodger: Catherine Gillies, 42,

Head: Mary Macphee, 69,
Daughter: Catherine Macphee, 39, General servant
Daughter: Marion Macphee, 29, General servant
Occupier: Michael Macphee, 36, Fisherman
Sister: Catherine Sinclair, 48,
Nephew: Duncan Sinclair, 20, Fisherman
Nephew: Donald Sinclair, 17, General labourer
Niece: Mary Sinclair, 16, Domestic servant

Head: Donald Campbell, 54, Formerly fisherman
Wife: Catherine Campbell, 52,
Daughter: Annie Campbell, 25, General servant
Daughter: Mary Campbell, 23, General servant
Daughter: Mary Ann Campbell, 10, Scholar

Head: Malcolm Campbell, 80, Crofter
Grandson: Neil Campbell, 11, Scholar

Head: John Maclean, 35, Crofter
Wife: Margaret Maclean, 34,
Daughter: Catherine Maclean, 10, Scholar
Son: Michael Maclean, 8,
Daughter: Mary Maclean, 5,
Son: Allan Maclean, 0,

Head: Malcolm Maclean, 72, Crofter
Son: Hugh Maclean, 28, Fisherman
Granddaughter: Mary Maclean, 13, Scholar
Occupier: Michael Maclean, 37, Fisherman
Aunt: Flora Maclean, 53, General servant
Occupier: Euphemia Maclean, 52, Crofter
Sister: Margaret Maclean, 50,
Occupier: Alexander Mackinnon, 44, Crofter
Brother: John Mackinnon, 40,
Niece: Margaret Gillies, 12, Scholar

Head: John Macneil, 55, Fisherman
Wife: Marion Macneil, 53,
Son: James Macneil, 21, General labourer
Son: Roderick Macneil, 19, General labourer
Daughter: Flora Macneil, 15, General servant
Daughter: Ann Macneil, 13, Scholar
Son: Donald Macneil, 10, Scholar

Head: Donald Campbell, 75, Crofter
Daughter: Mary Campbell, 35, General servant
Daughter: Elizabeth Campbell, 24, General servant
Daughter: Marion Campbell, 32,
Son: John Campbell, 39, Fisherman

Head: Donald Macneil, 56, Crofter
Wife: Maggie Macneil, 55, General labourer
Son: James Macneil, 21, General labourer
Daughter: Maggie Macneil, 24, General servant
Son: Joseph Macneil, 16, General servant
Son: Rodrick M Macneil, 14,
Son: John Macneil, 12, Scholar

Head: Annie Macneil, 78,
Daughter: Catherine Macneil, 45, General servant
Granddaughter: Annie Murphy, 16, General servant

Head: Hector Macneil, 72, Crofter
Son: Donald Macneil, 36, Fisherman
Daughter: Mary Macneil, 30, General servant
Servant: Marion Campbell, 23, School sewing mistress
Wife: Jane Finlayson, 68,

Head: John Finlayson, 66, Retired teacher

Head: Lachlan Macneil, 45, Fisherman
Wife: Mary Macneil, 38, General servant
Sister-in-law: Christina Campbell, 18, General servant
Brother-in-law: John Campbell, 16, General labourer

Thursday 14 June 2012

Emigrants

The Report from the Napier Commission in the Outer Hebrides contains a number of letters (contained in Appendix XXXII), sent by people who had been 'encouraged' to emigrate from Benbecula. When transcribing this section in 2010, I felt considerable cynicism over the veracity of the letters, if not the actual writing then certainly the spirit in which they were written. Lady Gordon-Cathcart has a very poor reputation in the Southern Isles, as the evidence, heard in Benbecula, South Uist and Barra bears out. Some landowners, as the Napier Report shows, actively felt that emigration was the only cure for the ill of the landless pauper in the Highlands and Islands.

However, a comment on this Appendix XXXII testifies that some of the emigrants were actually quite satisfied with the resettlement programme, resettlement at (amongst other places) Wappella Station in modern-day Manitoba, Canada. And, objectively speaking, there is no doubt that many of the emigrants would find conditions there a vast improvement to the congestion which they experienced in Benbecula.

Transposing this argument to the present day, I am reminded of two statues, one erected in Winnipeg, Canada and one at Strath Kildonan, Sutherland. I copy from the Manitoba Highland Dancers website:

This monument recognizes the Highland Clearances where Scottish villagers were forcibly removed from their homes and immigrated to Point Douglas in 1813. These settlers sought a better life in a far-away land and upon arrival fostered a relationship with the Peguis First Nation which was essential for them to prosper in this formidable land. Chief Peguis and his band taught vital hunting, trapping, clothing, shelter and winter survival skills without which the settlers would not have survived.

This 1813 immigration tallies with the second Clearance of Glen Loth (near Strath Kildonan) (the others being in 1809, 1813 and 1819). The story from Winnipeg does bear out frequent complaints, heard over the duration of the Clearances, that people were left to fend for themselves. And if it had not been for the humanity of the Peguis, those that had been left at Point Douglas would not have survived this first winter. 



A similar statue stands near Helmsdale, and I reproduce this image from the webpage for the community of Helmsdale.

Whilst recognising the undoubted achievements of the evicted Sutherlanders, the question does arise: why were these good people not allowed to make such achievements at home?


And which country in the world, in its right mind, throws its resident population off their land, and out of their own country? However, history should always be seen through the eyes of that time.

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Stornoway memorial: unknown addresses

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private JOHN ANDERSON
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Canadian Army Medical Corps
Date of death: 27 June 1918
Age of death: 32

Bosun JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of the late Duncan and Kate McDonald; husband of Jeannie Ann McDonald (Nee Eddie), of 77, Waterloo Quay, Aberdeen. Born at Stornoway.
Mercantile Marine, SS Hogarth
Date of death: 8 June 1918
Age of death: 54

Able Seaman JOHN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Mercantile Marine, SS Serula
Date of death: 16 September 1918
Age of death: 22

Seaman MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Mercantile Marine
Date of death: 30 March 1905
Age of death: 49

Sergeant MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of John Macleod of Stornoway
42nd Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment)
Date of death: 12 August 1918
Age of death: 28

Seaman NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Andania
Date of death: 27 January 1918

Carpenter THOMAS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Mercantile Marine, SS Ava
Date of death: 26 January 1917

Bosun NEIL MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Mercantile Marine, SS Pomeranian
Date of death: 15 April 1918
Age of death: 38

Captain DONALD MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Mercantile Marine, SS Opal
Date of death: 18 December 1916

Seaman JOHN MATHESON
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Mercantile Marine
Date of death: 1 October 1916
Age of death: 42

Chief Engineer JAMES WILSON
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Mercantile Marine, SS St Ola
Date of death: 8 April 1918
Age of death: 59

SECOND WORLD WAR


Seaman ANGUS BEATON
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of John and Catherine Beaton, of Stornoway.
Royal Navy, Patrol Service
Date of death: 5 April 1942
Age at death: 20

Gunner PATRICK KING
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of John and Margaret King, of Greenock, Renfrewshire; husband of Catherine Robertson King, of Greenock.
Royal Artillery, 3 Bty., 2 Lt. A.A.Maritime Regt
Date of death: 27 August 1941
Age at death: 36

Private MALCOLM MACARTHUR
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of John and Mary MacArthur, of Fremantle, Western Australia.
Royal Australian Engineers, 2.15 Field Coy AIF
Date of death: 2 April 1944
Age at death: 35

Seaman DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald MacDonald, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 21 June 1940
Age at death: 31

Able Seaman KENNETH MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of Alexander and Catherina Macleod of Stornoway
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 14 July 1943
Age at death: 30

Seaman DONALD MCLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of Murdo and Barbara McLeod; husband of Margaret McLeod, of Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 20 October 1945
Age at death: 46

Stores assistant RODERICK MACPHERSON MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of Donald and Annie Murray, of Stornoway.
Royal Navy
Date of death: 15 November 1945
Age at death: 21

Lance corporal JAMES MURDOCH MCFADYEN
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of William and Donaldina Kennedy McFadyen, of Nitshill, Glasgow.
Royal Corps of Signals
Date of death: 6 March 1945
Age at death: 25

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Stornoway memorial: Stag Road

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private MALCOLM MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 2 Stag Road, Stornoway
Son of John and Bella MacDonald, of Lower Bayble; husband of Isabella MacDonald, of 2, Stag Rd., Stornoway.
B Coy, 4th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 4 February 1919
Age of death: 34

Private HUGH D DISHER
Last address in Lewis: 3 Stag Road, Stornoway
5th/ 6th Scottish Rifles
Date of death: 17 October 1917

Sergeant MURDO MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 8 Stag Road, Stornoway
7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 12 October 1916
Age of death: 28

Seaman NEIL MACQUEEN
Last address in Lewis: Stag Road, Stornoway
Royal Navy, HMS Surprise
Date of death: 23 December 1917

SECOND WORLD WAR

Sergeant MURDO MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 3 Stag Road, Stornoway
Son of John MacDonald, and of Annie MacDonald, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
2nd Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C.
Date of death: 21 November 1941
Age at death: 26

Monday 11 June 2012

Stornoway memorial: Shell Street

FIRST WORLD WAR

Gunner HUGH MURRAY MAIR
Last address in Lewis: 2 Shell Street, Stornoway
Son of James Mair and his wife Margaret Murray, of 2 and 3, Shell St., Stornoway, Scotland.
12th Australian Field Artillery
Date of death: 9 May 1917
Age of death: 25

Private JOSEPH JAMES MAIR
Last address in Lewis: 2 Shell Street, Stornoway
Son of James Mair and his wife Margaret Murray, of 2 and 3, Shell St., Stornoway, Scotland.
Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train
Date of death: 28 February 1919
Age of death: 32

Captain JOHN MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: Shell Street, Stornoway
Mercantile Marine, SS Hector
Date of death: 14 November 1914

Sunday 10 June 2012

Stornoway memorial: Seaview Terrace

SECOND WORLD WAR

Able Seaman DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 8 Seaview Terrace, Stornoway
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 3 November 1943
Age at death: 26

Flight Sergeant HUGH MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 26 Seaview Terrace, Stornoway
Son of Hugh Ross MacLeod and Ann MacLeod, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of death: 5 November 1944
Age at death: 32

Greaser NEIL MURDO STEWART
Last address in Lewis: 39 Seaview Terrace, Stornoway
Son of Murdo and Mary Stewart of Stornoway; husband of Jessie M. Stewart, of Stornoway.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 14 August 1944
Age at death: 51

Saturday 9 June 2012

Stornoway memorial: Scotland Street

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 4 Scotland Street, Stornoway
Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 20 July 1916

Seaman JOHN M STEWART
Last address in Lewis: 4 Scotland Street, Stornoway
Mercantile Marine, SS Lucigen
Date of death: 1 August 1915

Private ROBERT STEWART
Last address in Lewis: 4 Scotland Street, Stornoway
Brother of Mrs. Annie MacKay, of 82, North Watson St., Glasgow. Son of Alexander and Christina Stewart of 2 Holm or Garden Road, Stornoway
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 24 November 1914
Age of death: 18

Lieutenant GEORGE MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 15 Scotland Street, Stornoway
Son of Mrs. A. McLeod, of 12, Lorne St., Glasgow. Native of Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Cowslip
Date of death: 25 April 1918
Age of death: 33

Sergeant WILLIAM HECTOR MATHESON
Last address in Lewis: Seaforth House Scotland Street, Stornoway
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Murdo Matheson, of 72, Church St., Ayr, Scotland. Native of Stornaway, Isle of Lewis.
20th Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)
Date of death: 17 January 1917
Age of death: 36

Seaman HUGH BROWN MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: Seaforth House Scotland Street, Stornoway
Son of Alan and Isabella Brown Murray, of Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Richard Bennett
Date of death: 1 December 1917
Age of death: 52

Major NORMAN GEORGE MORRISON MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Woodside Cottage Scotland Street, Stornoway
8th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Date of death: 26 September 1916
Age of death: 25

Friday 8 June 2012

Stornoway memorial: Seaforth Road

SECOND WORLD WAR

Second Hand DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 6 Seaforth Road, Stornoway
Son of Roderick and Margaret Maciver, of Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, Patrol Service
Date of death: 12 November 1943
Age at death: 35

Able Seaman JOHN MURDO MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 30 Seaforth Road, Stornoway
United States Mercantile Marine
Date of death: 23 February 1943
Age at death: 22

Private NEIL M CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 42 Seaforth Road, Stornoway
Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 29 December 1944
Age at death: 22

Able Seaman MURDOCH NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 46 Seaforth Road, Stornoway
Canadian Merchant Navy
Date of death: 7 November 1943
Age at death: 30

Seaman JOHN MURDO MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 93 Seaforth Road, Stornoway
Royal Navy, Patrol Service
Date of death: 23 December 1943
Age at death: 36

Signaller ALISTAIR MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 97 Seaforth Road, Stornoway
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 24 April 1944
Age at death: 20

Corporal DONALD MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 103 Seaforth Road, Stornoway
8th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Date of death: 29 November 1942
Age at death: 29

Thursday 7 June 2012

Stornoway memorial: Sandwick Park

SECOND WORLD WAR

Volunteer EFFIE NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 3 Sandwick Park, Stornoway
Date of death: 13 March 1944
Age at death: 52

Gunner JOHN CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 10 Sandwick Park, Stornoway
Son of Malcolm and Marion Campbell, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Ross Mountain Battery, 203 Bty. 51 Anti-Tank Regt.
Date of death: 12 June 1940
Age at death: 21

Seaman HUGH JOHN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 13 Sandwick Park, Stornoway
United States Mercantile Marine
Date of death: 23 February 1943
Age at death: 19

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Stornoway memorial: Ropework Road

Leading Seaman NORMAN MACRITCHIE
Last address in Lewis: 1 Ropework Road, Stornoway
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 29 December 1942
Age at death: 33

Private JAMES MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 3 Ropework Road, Stornoway
1st Parachute Regiment
Date of death: 20 September 1944
Age at death: 30

Sergeant (Air gunner) KENNETH MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 5 Ropework Road, Stornoway
Royal Air Force
Date of death: 21 September 1943
Age at death: 22

Sapper WILLIAM THOMSON MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 9 Ropework Road, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Christina MacLean, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Engineers, 275 Field Coy
Date of death: 3 May 1943
Age at death: 29

Donkeyman JOHN FERGUSON
Last address in Lewis: 29 Ropework Road, Stornoway
Naval Auxiliary Personnel (Merchant Navy)
Date of death: 28 April 1941
Age at death: 31

D-day

Today in 1944, an armada of ships brought an invasion force to the beaches of Normandy, spelling the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. After some hard fighting, the march through France, Belgium and Holland did not falter until they reached the Rhine bridge at Arnhem in September that year.

A list of those from the Isle of Lewis who fell at Normandy and the month following the invasion.

Seaman NORMAN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 30 Knock, Carloway
Service unit: Royal Navy HMMM 7
Date of death: 07/06/1944 at the age of 34
Killed in action in D-day Invasion of Normandy

Chief Petty Officer ALEXANDER MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 8 North Tolsta
Service unit: Naval Auxiliary Personnel (Merchant Navy) HMRT Sesame
Date of death: 11/06/1944 at the age of 41
Lost off Normandy

Private KENNETH JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 2/4 Kershader
Service unit: 7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 28/06/1944 at the age of 24
Killed in action at Caen, France

Fusilier ALEXANDER ROBB
Last address in Lewis: 15 Cross Street Coulregrein
Service unit: 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers
Date of death: 29/06/1944 at the age of 30
Lost in German counter attack at Manvieu

Leading Seaman DONALD MUNRO
Last address in Lewis: 6 Knock, Point
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve HMMM 1019
Date of death: 02/07/1944 at the age of 37
Lost off Cherbourg

Alexander Carmichael Watson

Today, 100 years ago, Alexander Carmichael Watson passed away at the age of 80. In his time, Carmichael Watson travelled the length and breadth of the Hebrides, amassing a vast collection of folk-lore. The Carmichael Watson project have been working hard to digitise this collection, which you can access here.

Anyone who is near one of Carmichael Watson's abodes is invited to take a picture and share it with the project on its Facebook page.

Alexander Carmichael Watson was born and lies buried in the Isle of Lismore, a few miles northwest of Oban.

Tuesday 5 June 2012

HMS Hampshire


In the Royal Naval Cemetery at Lyness in Orkney you will find 21 gravestones dedicated to "Known unto God", for a man who served on HMS Hampshire. The warship foundered off Skaill Bay on the west coast of Orkney in a severe gale in June 1916, thought to have struck a mine.

Three named stones associated with the sinking of that ship are present in that cemetery. HMS Hampshire also carried Lord Kitchener, the Secretary of State for War. He was among the dead, but his body was never recovered. Only 12 survived.

Today is 96 years ago since the sinking of HMS Hampshire. This post is dedicated to the memory of those lost in her.

Stornoway memorial: Point Street

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private JOHN MURDO MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 7 Point Street, Stornoway
Next of kin: Murdo and Christina Macrae
87th Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment)
Date of death: 10 June 1917
Age of death: 32

Private JOHN MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 22 Point Street, Stornoway
Brother of Robert MacRae, of 79, Ladywell St., Dennistoun, Glasgow.
2nd Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 23 April 1915
Age of death: 19

Lance-Corporal ALEX MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 38 Point Street, Stornoway
8th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 26 September 1915
Age of death: 21

Corporal ALEX DAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 38 Point Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Isabella McLennan Macleod, of 38, Point St., Stornoway.
C Coy, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 25 April 1915
Age of death: 22

SECOND WORLD WAR

Seaman DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Point Street, Stornoway
Son of John and Christina Macleod, husband of Evelyn Lavinia Macleod, of Leicester.
Royal Navy, Patrol Service
Date of death: 19 February 1944
Age at death: 40

Sergeant DONALD CAMPBELL SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 14 Point Street, Stornoway
Royal Air Force
Date of death: 6 June 1942

Monday 4 June 2012

Stornoway memorial: Plantation Road

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private RODERICK A MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 3 Plantation Road, Stornoway
2nd Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 29 October 1914

Gunner JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 4 Plantation Road, Stornoway
Royal Garrison Artillery, 4th Highland Battery
Date of death: 15 May 1915
Age of death: 39

Private KENNETH N MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 5 Plantation Road, Stornoway
Son of Neil and Effie McDonald, of Bernera, Uig, Isle of Lewis; husband of Dolina McPhail McDonald, of 19, Gravir by Stornoway.
13th Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment)
Date of death: 14 March 1915
Age of death: 35

Private DONALD JOHN MACARTHUR
Last address in Lewis: 12 Plantation Road, Stornoway
Son of Norman and Mary A. MacArthur, of Seaforth House, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
1st Scots Guards
Date of death: 27 September 1915
Age of death: 26

Carpenter ALEX DONALD NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 14 Plantation Road, Stornoway
Australian Royal Navy
Date of death: 25 May 1915
Age of death: 30

Second Officer JOHN MURDO NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 14 Plantation Road, Stornoway
Brother of Isabella Nicolson, of 18, Hampden St., Glasgow. Born at Stornoway.
Mercantile Marine, SS Normandiet
Date of death: 21 April 1918
Age of death: 33

Corporal ROBERT NORMAN NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 14 Plantation Road, Stornoway
Son of Robert and Annabella Nicolson
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 11 April 1917
Age of death: 31

Private MURDO MACLENNAN
Last address in Lewis: 16 Plantation Road, Stornoway
7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 26 September 1915
Age of death: 28

SECOND WORLD WAR

Radio Officer NORMAN ANGUS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 12 Plantation Road, Stornoway
Son of Malcolm and Mary Ann MacLeod; husband of Myra R. MacLeod, of Corton, Wiltshire.
Post Office
Date of death: 24 February 1945
Age at death: 30

Sunday 3 June 2012

Stornoway memorial: Nicolson Road

SECOND WORLD WAR

Seaman / ASDIC operator ALEXANDER MACMILLAN
Last address in Lewis: 34 Nicolson Road, Stornoway
Son of Mary Ann Macmillan, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 4 January 1941
Age at death: 20

Leading Bombardier NEIL DONALD MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 68 Nicolson Road, Stornoway
Son of Angus and Mary MacAulay, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Ross Mountain Battery, 203 Bty. 51 Anti-Tank Regt.
Date of death: 6 October 1940
Age at death: 22

Saturday 2 June 2012

Stornoway memorial: North Beach

FIRST WORLD WAR

Gunner JOHN A MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 12 North Beach Street, Stornoway
2nd/1st (Ross) Mountain Bty., Royal Garrison Artillery
Date of death: 27 February 1917
Age of death: 23

SECOND WORLD WAR

Private JOHN NEIL MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 20 North Beach, Stornoway
Son of Neil and Marion Maclean, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
6th Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 19 October 1944
Age at death: 22

Friday 1 June 2012

Stornoway memorial: Newvalley

FIRST WORLD WAR

Seaman ANGUS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 1 Newvalley
Son of Alex Macleod
Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Resmilo
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 18

Lance-Corporal DUNCAN GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 5 Newvalley
Son of Donald and Margaret Graham, of 5, New Valley, Stornoway, Scotland.
16th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Date of death: 8 August 1918
Age of death: 35

Chief Warrant Officer ALEX MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Newvalley
Son of Margaret MacDonald, of 7, Newballey, Laxdale by Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 40

Private ALEX SHAW
Last address in Lewis: 10 Newvalley
Son of John Shaw, of New Valley, Stornoway.
1st Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 11 November 1914
Age of death: 24

Corporal JOHN SHAW
Last address in Lewis: 10 Newvalley
Son of John Shaw, of New Valley, Stornoway.
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 9 May 1915
Age of death: 27

Lance-Corporal RODERICK MONTGOMERY
Last address in Lewis: 14 Newvalley
Son of Mrs. J. Montgomery, of 14, New Valley, Stornaway.
1st/7th Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 18 July 1918

Private JOHN R MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 15 Newvalley
Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 6 November 1914

Private DONALD MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 15 Newvalley
Only son of Angus and Christina Morrison of 15, New Valley, Laxdale, Stornoway.
C Coy, 1st/6th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 7 August 1918
Age of death: 18

SECOND WORLD WAR

Able Seaman DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 2 Newvalley
Son of Malcolm and Catherine MacIver, of Stornoway.
Royal Navy
Date of death: 10 February 1942
Age at death: 26

Flying Officer WALTER RODERICK MATHESON
Last address in Lewis: 14 Newvalley
Son of Walter and Annabella Matheson, of Stornoway.
Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve
Date of death: 16 November 1943
Age at death: 22

Craftsman ANGUS MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 24 Newvalley
Son of John and Annie MacLean, of Laxdale, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Date of death: 12 April 1944
Age at death: 22

Thursday 31 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Newmarket

SECOND WORLD WAR

Leading Seaman MURDO MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 32 Newmarket
Royal Navy, Patrol Service
Date of death: 25 September 1943
Age at death: 28

Private ALEXANDER GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 34 Newmarket
Son of Angus and Christina Graham, of Laxdale, Isle of Lewis.
6th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 7 May 1942
Age at death: 22

Flying Officer MALCOLM JOHN REID
Last address in Lewis: 40 Newmarket
Son of Norman and Bella Reid, of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Royal Canadian Air Force
Date of death: 20 February 1944
Age at death: 25

Sapper MALCOLM SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 47 Newmarket
287 Field Coy Royal Engineers
Date of death: 23 February 1942
Age at death: 24

Able Seaman KENNETH MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 52 Newmarket
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 24 June 1943
Age at death: 68

Private JOHN BUCHANAN
Last address in Lewis: 89 Newmarket
5th Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 24 October 1942
Age at death: 20

Corporal RODERICK BUCHANAN
Last address in Lewis: 89 Newmarket
Son of Donald and Catherine Buchanan, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
2nd Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment)
Date of death: 9 October 1944
Age at death: 21

Wednesday 30 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Millar Road

SECOND WORLD WAR

Seaman ALLAN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Millar Road, Stornoway
Son of John and Mary Macdonald, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis; husband of Cathie Macdonald.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 23 March 1942
Age at death: 23

Tuesday 29 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Newton Street

FIRST WORLD WAR

Signaller ALLAN MACSWEEN
Last address in Lewis: 2 Newton Street, Stornoway
Royal Navy, HMS Invincible
Date of death: 31 May 1916

Private DONALD LACHLAN MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 3 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Christina Maclean
A Coy, 7th Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 10 September 1915
Age of death: 27

Engineer WILLIAM MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 3 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of Mrs. Mackinnon (formerly MacLean), of 8, Newton St., Stornoway, and the late Donald MacLean; husband of Catherine Morrison MacLean, of 25, Francis St., Stornoway.
Mercantile Marine, SS Comrie Castle
Date of death: 14 March 1918
Age of death: 30

Private COLIN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 9 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of John and Mary Macdonald, of 9, Newton St., Stornoway.
3rd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 5 April 1916
Age of death: 28

Second Lieutenant JOHN MUNRO
Last address in Lewis: 11 Newton Street, Stornoway
Next of kin: Angus and Catherin Munro
4th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 16 April 1918
Age of death: 22

Engineman AULAY MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 13 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of the late William MacKenzie, Master Mariner; husband of Margaret McKenzie. Brother of Murdo Mackenzie of 13 Newton Street, Stornoway
Royal Naval Reserve, HMD Northern Scot
Date of death: 16 November 1916
Age of death: 38

Serjeant FREDERICK CYRIL CROCKER
Last address in Lewis: 18 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of Lieut. John Crocker, R.N. and Mrs. Crocker, of Claremont, Portishead, Somerset; husband of Janet Crocker, of 46, Ailsa St. East., Girvan, Ayrshire.
A Coy. 1st/6th Bn. Northumberland Fusiliers
Date of death: 1 June 1915
Age of death: 27

Private FRANCIS MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 18 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of Mrs. H. Macaulay and the late Mr. F. Macaulay.
1st Royal Scots Fusiliers
Date of death: 21 August 1918
Age of death: 19

Private DONALD WILLIAM MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 20 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of Christina Murray
43rd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Date of death: 26 October 1917
Age of death: 29

Private GEORGE MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 21 Newton Street, Stornoway
5th Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 16 July 1916

Driver KENNETH MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 21 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Macdonald, of 17, Lower Sandwick, Stornoway.
4th Highland Mountain Bty., Royal Garrison Artillery
Date of death: 28 May 1915
Age of death: 22

Private ALEX MACGREGOR
Last address in Lewis: 21 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of Mrs. Christina McGregor, of 20, North Beach St., Stornoway.
1st Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 9 May 1915
Age of death: 19

Able Seaman JOHN NORMAN MACINNES
Last address in Lewis: 24 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of John MacInnes, of 11, Achmore, Stornoway, and Margaret MacInnes (nee McKenzie), of 24, Newton St., Stornoway.
Mercantile Marine, SS Powhatan
Date of death: 6 April 1917
Age of death: 18

Private ARCHIE MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 25 Newton Street, Stornoway
Next of kin: John and Catherine Murray
1st / 7th Black Watch
Date of death: 25 April 1917
Age of death: 28

Private JOHN MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 25 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of John and Catherine Livingstone Murray, of 104, Kilbowie Rd., Clydebank, Dumbartonshire.
2nd Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Date of death: 17 June 1918
Age of death: 33

Private PETER MACINTYRE
Last address in Lewis: 31 Newton Street, Stornoway
Drake Bn, Royal Naval Division
Date of death: 4 September 1918
Age of death: 23

Private MALCOLM MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 37 Newton Street, Stornoway
1st Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 25 October 1914
Age of death: 20

Private DUNCAN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 37 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of Murdoch and Isabella McKenzie, of 80, Greenfield St., Govan, Glasgow. Native of Stornaway.
Royal Naval Division, Drake Battallion
Date of death: 22 November 1916
Age of death: 20

Bombardier ROASE A SUTHERLAND
Last address in Lewis: 41 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Sutherland, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
A Bty. 79th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
Date of death: 4 November 1916
Age of death: 25

SECOND WORLD WAR

Corporal JOHN RODERICK INNIS
Last address in Lewis: 1 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of William Henry and Flora Innis, of Stornoway.
1st (Liverpool Scottish) Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 1 February 1942
Age at death: 23

Lieutenant CECIL IAN HORATIO STEEN
Last address in Lewis: 6 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of Walter James Steen and Eileen Helen Steen, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
3rd Battallion, 6th Ghurka Rifles
Date of death: 13 June 1944
Age at death: 23

Sergeant DONALD JOHN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 10 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of Murdo C. Mackenzie and C.C. Mackenzie, of Stornoway.
Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve
Date of death: 7 October 1942
Age at death: 21

Seaman MURDO MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 20 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Margaret Macdonald, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 9 January 1940
Age at death: 20

Seaman ALEXANDER CRAWFORD
Last address in Lewis: 21 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of William and Else Jane Crawford; husband of Mary Crawford, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Navy, Patrol Service
Date of death: 3 December 1942
Age at death: 38

Able Seaman MALCOLM MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 31 Newton Street, Stornoway
Son of John and Maggie Murray; husband of Peggy Murray, of Beaconsfield, Western Australia.
Royal Australian Navy
Date of death: 20 November 1941
Age at death: 29

Monday 28 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Marybank, Maryhill

SECOND WORLD WAR

Leading Seaman JOHN MURDO NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 3 Marybank, Stornoway
Son of John and Christina Nicholson, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis; husband of Williamina Nicolson, of Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 23 November 1939
Age at death: 36

Sergeant (W. Op/Obs) ALISTAIR ROBERT MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: Marybank, Stornoway
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander MacKay; stepson of Annie MacKay (nee Macleod), of Stornoway.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of death: 31 May 1942
Age at death: 25

Able Seaman WILLIAM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Marybank, Stornoway
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 23 November 1939
Age at death: 26

Corporal DONALD MACRITCHIE
Last address in Lewis: Marybank, Stornoway
Son of Catherine Mcritchie of Stornoway
7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 8 June 1944
Age at death: 28

Seaman NORMAN MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 3 Maryhill, Stornoway
Son of Murdo and Christina MacLean; husband of Marion MacLean, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 18 July 1940
Age at death: 37

Sunday 27 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: New Street

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private DONALD MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 12 New Street, Stornoway
43rd Canadian Infantry
Date of death: 2 July 1916
Age of death: 33

Warrant Officer ROBERT MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 22 New Street, Stornoway
Royal Navy
Date of death: 16 September 1915
Age of death: 39

Private MURDO MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 26 New Street, Stornoway
Son of Mary McLeod, of 24, New St., Stornoway, Scotland, and the late Donald McLeod.
78th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Date of death: 8 July 1919
Age of death: 27

SECOND WORLD WAR

Engineer MALCOLM MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 18 New Street, Stornoway
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 30 April 1940
Age at death: 69

Saturday 26 May 2012

Memorial Day


Today is Memorial Day in the USA, when the Fallen from that country are remembered. Two of them in the First World War originated from the Isle of Lewis. In place of today's Stornoway Memorial entry, I list their names

JOHN FERGUSON
"Iain Dhomhnaill Gobha"
Son of Donald and Margaret Ferguson
Last address in Lewis: 6 Crulivig
Service unit: US Army
Date of death: 18 July 1918 at the age of 30
Killed in action in France
Mentioned on family gravestone in Bosta Cemetery, Great Bernera (see below)
Local memorial: Great Bernera, Breaclet



Sergeant JOHN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 2 Maciver's Buildings, Stornoway
Son of Alexander Smith, brother of Neil Smith
Service unit: 16th Ambulance Company, 2nd Divison US Army
Enlisted from Montana
Date of death: 15 September 1918 at the age of 35
Died in France
Interred: St. Mihiel American Cemetery, Thiaucourt, France, Plot D Row 8 Grave 22
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel

Friday 25 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Murray's Court

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private PETER JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 2 Murray's Court, Stornoway
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 31 August 1918

Private DONALD MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 12 Murray's Court, Stornoway
Next of kin: Catherine Macaulay
2nd Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 20 January 1915
Age of death: 20

Seaman DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 12 Murray's Court, Stornoway
Son of John and M. MacLeod, of 10, Murray's Court, Kenneth St., Stornoway.
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, RN Depot (Crystal Palace)
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 18

Thursday 24 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Matheson Road

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private MATTHEW MACGREGOR
Last address in Lewis: 1 Matheson Road, Stornoway
Son of Mrs. E. McGregor, of 'Cairn Dhu,' Matheson Road, Stornoway.
9th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Date of death: 20 July 1918
Age of death: 29

Private WILLIAM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 1 Matheson Road, Stornoway
Son of William and Jane Macleod, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
1st / 6th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 16 May 1917
Age of death: 34

SECOND WORLD WAR

Lieutenant RONALD SMART
Last address in Lewis: 11 Matheson Road, Stornoway
Son of Joseph McCaig Smart and Margaret Hamilton Smart, of Selkirk.
5th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 7 September 1944
Age at death: 20

Private ANGUS MACLEOD SNR
Last address in Lewis: 35 Matheson Road, Stornoway
Military Police
Date of death: 24 December 1941
Age at death: 31

Flight Officer PERCY GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 45 Matheson Road, Stornoway
Son of Duncan MacKay Graham, and of Emily Graham, of Edinburgh.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of death: 25 July 1944
Age at death: 29

Wednesday 23 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Matheson Court

SECOND WORLD WAR

Seaman JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 3 Matheson Court, Stornoway
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death:
Age of death: 42

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Manor Park

SECOND WORLD WAR

Trooper WILLIAM COLQUHOUN
Last address in Lewis: Manor Farm, Stornoway
Son of Duncan and Mary Ann Colquhoun; grandson of Mrs. C. MacEachen, of Creagorry.
Lovat Scouts
Date of death: 15 August 1940
Age at death: 21

Flight Sergeant DANIEL MCLEMAN
Last address in Lewis: Manor Farm, Stornoway
Son of James McLeman (Fraserburgh) and Catherine Anne McLeod (2 Benside)
Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve
Date of death: 9 July 1945
Age at death: 22

Seaman JOHN FERGUSON
Last address in Lewis: 40 Manor Park, Stornoway
Son of Fergus Ferguson, and of Isabella Ferguson, of Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 28 July 1940
Age at death: 22

Monday 21 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Macleod's Court

SECOND WORLD WAR

Private MURDO MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 3 Macleod's Court, Stornoway
Australian Imperial Forces
Date of death: 1 January 1943

Sunday 20 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Mackenzie Street

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private MURDO MACPHAIL
Last address in Lewis: 6 Mackenzie Street, Stornoway
Son of Neil and Annie Carmichael MacPhail, of 6, MacKenzie St., Stornoway.
10th/11th Highland Light Infantry
Date of death: 9 April 1918
Age of death: 19

Carpenter MURDO MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 24 Mackenzie Street, Stornoway
Next of kin: Donald and Susan Macleod
Mercantile Marine,
Date of death: 1920

SECOND WORLD WAR

Lance Corporal DONALD MACKINNON
Last address in Lewis: 8 Mackenzie Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Isabella Mackinnon, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Seaforth Highlanders, D.E.M.S. Personnel
Date of death: 13 November 1940
Age at death: 29

Sub-Lieutenant WILLIAM WHITFIELD WILE
Last address in Lewis: 8 Mackenzie Street, Stornoway
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 10 July 1942
Age at death: 38

Saturday 19 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Maciver's Buildings

FIRST WORLD WAR

Sergeant JOHN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 2 Maciver's Buildings, Stornoway
USA
Date of death: 15 September 1918
Age of death: 35

Private NEIL SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 2 Maciver's Buildings, Stornoway
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Smith, of 2, Maciver's Buildings, Keith St., Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 13 October 1914
Age of death: 22

Private DONALD KENNEDY
Last address in Lewis: 4 Maciver's Buildings, Stornoway
Son of John and Annie Kennedy, of 24, North Beach St., Stornoway.
1st Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 28 October 1914
Age of death: 20

Private THOMAS MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 6 Maciver's Buildings, Stornoway
Date of death:

Able Seaman ANGUS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Maciver's Buildings, Stornoway
Son of Malcolm and Margaret MacLeod (nee Morrison), of 7, Macivers Court, Keith St., Stornoway.
Mercantile Marine, SS Shadwell
Date of death: 23 March 1918
Age of death: 19

Private PETER GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 9 Maciver's Buildings, Stornoway
Son of Colin and Christina Graham, of 9, MacIvers Buildings, Keith St., Stornoway.
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 7 January 1916
Age of death: 23

Friday 18 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Lewis Street

FIRST WORLD WAR

Trooper JOHN A MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 26 Lewis Street, Stornoway
Son of James and Catherine MacRae, of Viewfield, Lewis St., Stornoway. Born at Stornoway.
13th Yorkshire Regiment
Date of death: 23 November 1917
Age of death: 39

Seaman ALEX MACARTHUR
Last address in Lewis: 48 Lewis Street, Stornoway
Son of Isabella Macarthur, of 48, Lewis St., Stornoway, Ross-shire, and the late Alexander Macarthur.
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, HMS Defence
Date of death: 31 May 1916
Age of death: 26

Corporal DUNCAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Craigleor, Lewis Street, Stornoway
Only son of George and Lillias Macleod, of Creagleor House, Lewis St., Stornoway, Scotland.
16th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Date of death: 2 July 1917
Age of death: 29

SECOND WORLD WAR

Flying Officer CHARLES ERIC DEWAR
Last address in Lewis: 1 Lewis Street, Stornoway
Son of Harry Charles and May Dewar; husband of Hughina Jessie Dewar, of Chelmsford.
Royal Air Force
Date of death: 25 September 1941
Age at death: 27

Stoker EDWARD BD MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 5 Lewis Street, Stornoway
Royal Navy
Date of death: 12 June 1943
Age at death: 43

Pilot Officer (U/T) DUGALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 27 Lewis Street, Stornoway
Son of John Maciver, and of Elizabeth Maciver, of Edinburgh.
Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve
Date of death: 21 August 1943
Age at death: 21

Aircraftman 2nd Class MURDO MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: St Columba's Lewis Street, Stornoway
Son of the Revd. Murdo Macleod and of Mary Macleod (nee Montgomery), of West Manse, Portmahomack. M.A.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of death: 30 June 1944
Age at death: 21

Thursday 17 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Kenneth Street

FIRST WORLD WAR

Corporal HUDSON TAYLOR MACFARLANE
Last address in Lewis: 27 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Son of the late John F. and Mrs. Macfarlane, of Kenneth St., Stornoway, Scotland.
5th Canadian Mounted Rifles (Quebec Regiment)
Date of death: 28 March 1917
Age of death: 23

Private JOHN MACFARLANE
Last address in Lewis: 27 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Son of J. F. and Annie J. Macfarlane, of Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 20 October 1916
Age of death: 24

Private KENNETH MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 42 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Annie MacLean, of 42, Kenneth St., Stornoway, Lewis.
5th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 6 September 1917
Age of death: 30

Lance-Corporal GEORGE MURRAY MUNRO
Last address in Lewis: 50 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Christina MacLeod Munro, of 56, Kenneth St., Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 16 April 1917
Age of death: 18

Gunner DONALD JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 63 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Morison, of "Rockwell," Kenneth St., Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Field Artillery, "B" Bty, 291st Bde
Date of death: 22 August 1918
Age of death: 23

Private WILLIAM MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 66 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Son of Norman and Annie Mackenzie, of 66, Kenneth St., Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
1st / 6th Manchester Regiment, Trench Mortars
Date of death: 11 December 1917
Age of death: 23

SECOND WORLD WAR

MURELLA MACFARLANE
Last address in Lewis: 25 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
of 208 Parkway, Gidea Park, Essex. Daughter of the late Murdo and Cecilia Pithie Macfarlane, of 4 Florence Place, Falmouth, Cornwall.
Date of death: 26 September 1941
Age at death: 54

Captain HUBERT ARTHUR MACCALLUM
Last address in Lewis: 29 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 27 December 1942
Age at death: 55

Pilot Officer ALASDAIR LEWIS MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 29 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Son of Murdo and Isabella M. MacKenzie, of Tain, Ross and Cromarty.
Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve
Date of death: 21 January 1944
Age at death: 22

Chief Engineer ALEXANDER MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 53 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Date of death: 3 September 1940
Age at death: 54

Fireman / Trimmer ALEXANDER MURDO MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 53 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Son of Murdo and Christina Murray MacLeod.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 9 November 1942
Age at death: 42

Captain ERIC DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 66 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Royal Marines
Date of death: 14 April 1940
Age at death: 24

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Keith Street

FIRST WORLD WAR

Seaman GEORGE MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 3 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Murdo and Annie Macaulay, of 3, Keith St., Stornoway.
Mercantile Marine, HMHS Glenart Castle
Date of death: 26 February 1918
Age of death: 24

Gunner MURDO MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 3 Keith Street, Stornoway
Royal Garrison Artillery, 4th Highland Battery
Date of death: 15 July 1915
Age of death: 22

First Lieutenant JOHN MACDONALD SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 3 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of the Rev. Kenneth Smith, of The Manse, Oban, Argyllshire.
12th Cameronians, Scottish Rifles
Date of death: 12 May 1916
Age of death: 26

Private ANGUS MACNEILL
Last address in Lewis: 3 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Malcolm and Margaret Macneil, of 2, Keith St., Stornoway.
7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 25 October 1918
Age of death: 25

Private IAN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 12 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Alexander and Janet Macdonald
17th Royal Scots
Date of death: 25 May 1918
Age of death: 19

Able Seaman JOHN CARSON
Last address in Lewis: 13 Keith Street, Stornoway
Royal Navy, HMS Defense
Date of death: 31 May 1916
Age of death: 30

Private ANGUS GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 14 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Angus Graham
8th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Date of death: 14 June 1916
Age of death: 26

Private JOHN CONNING
Last address in Lewis: 17 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of David and Flora Conning, of 16, Francis St., Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland.
31st Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment)
Date of death: 18 November 1917
Age of death: 26

Sergeant MALCOLM MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 18 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Marion Murray, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland.
8th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Date of death: 24 June 1916
Age of death: 40

Private ALEX DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 37 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Mary Macdonald
14th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Date of death: 25 April 1917
Age of death: 37

Second Hand GEORGE MCKENZIE MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 37 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Mary McDonald (nee McKenzie), of 18, Church St., Partick, Glasgow, and the late Donald McDonald. Born at Govan.
Mercantile Marine, SS Aparima
Date of death: 19 November 1917
Age of death: 33

Guardsman KENNETH DAN MONTGOMERY
Last address in Lewis: 39 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Isabella Montgomery, of 39, Keith St., Stornoway.
1st Scots Guards
Date of death: 30 March 1919
Age of death: 20

Second Lieutenant (Reverend) NORMAN CRICHTON, (MA)
Last address in Lewis: 40 Keith Street, Stornoway
4th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 14 November 1916
Age of death: 28

Seaman DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 42 Keith Street, Stornoway
Royal Naval Reserve, HMY Iolaire
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 50

Cooper 4th Class DONALD MACRITCHIE
Last address in Lewis: 46 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Murdo and Christina Macritchie; husband of the late Jane Maciver Macritchie.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 29

Seaman MURDO MACRITCHIE
Last address in Lewis: 48 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Alexander and Christina MacRitchie, of Garenin, Stornoway; husband of Mary MacRitchie, of 48, Keith Street, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Defence
Date of death: 31 May 1916
Age of death: 36

Private ALLAN MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 52 Keith Street, Stornoway
Date of death:

Signaller ALEX MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 57 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Isabella MacRae, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis; brother of Mary MacRae, of 57 Keith St., Stornoway.
A Bty., 250th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
Date of death: 14 August 1918
Age of death: 32

Private NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 69 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Duncan Macleod (of 28 Tolsta Chaolais) and Isabella Macleod, of South Lochs
B Coy, 7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 12 October 1917
Age of death: 24

Signaller JOHN ALEX MACASKILL
Last address in Lewis: 75 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Mrs. Christina Macaskill, of 75, Keith St., Stornoway.
Royal Navy Voluntary Reserve, HMS Vivid
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 19

Lance-Corporal ALEX DONALD MORISON
Last address in Lewis: 76 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of William and Anna Murray Morison, of Stornoway; husband of Margaret Donald Morison, of 35, St. George's Square, London.
2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Date of death: 6 July 1916
Age of death: 37

Private JAMES DONALD MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 78 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Roderick Macrae
52nd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Date of death: 23 November 1917
Age of death: 28

Private MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 81 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of John and Annie Macleod, of 81, Keith St., Stornoway, Lewis.
8th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 20 August 1917
Age of death: 30

Private HECTOR MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 84 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Catherine McLeod, of 84, Keith St., Stornoway.
1st Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 19 March 1916
Age of death: 28

Private MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 84 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Catherine McLeod, of 84, Keith St., Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland.
15th Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)
Date of death: 29 April 1915
Age of death: 29

Lieutenant JOHN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: Keith Street, Stornoway
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Implacable
Date of death: 1 February 1920
Age of death: 58

SECOND WORLD WAR

Refrigeration Engineer ALEXANDER SNR MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 21 Keith Street, Stornoway
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 27 May 1941
Age at death: 65

Stoker DONALD CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 30 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of John and Christina Campbell; husband of Evelyn Clarice Helen Campbell, of Yarraville, Victoria, Australia.
Royal Australian Navy
Date of death: 29 June 1942
Age at death: 38

Fusilier RODERICK MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 30 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Roderick Morrison, and of Christina Morrison, of Partick, Glasgow.
2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers
Date of death: 3 November 1940
Age at death: 26

Pilot Officer NORMAN CRICHTON MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 40 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Colin J. and Mary MacIver, of Aberdeen.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of death: 22 March 1941
Age at death: 23

Lance Corporal ANNA MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 47 Keith Street, Stornoway
Daughter of Angus and Mary A. Macleod, of Stornoway.
Auxiliary Territorial Service
Date of death: 5 November 1943
Age at death: 23

Lance Corporal HECTOR ALLAN ALLAN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 56 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Murdo and Annie MacKenzie, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
1st (The London Scottish) Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 9 May 1944
Age at death: 27

Aircraftsman 1st class ARCHIBALD MACRAE RODGER
Last address in Lewis: 59 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of George Greig Rodger, and of Annabella Macrae Rodger, of Glasgow.
Royal Air Force
Date of death: 9 July 1939
Age at death: 20

Gunner NORMAN MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 60 Keith Street, Stornoway
Royal Artillery
Date of death: 19 March 1942
Age at death: 48

2nd Engineer WILLIAM SPROAT CLARKE
Last address in Lewis: 67 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of William John Clark and of Jane Elizabeth Clarke (nee Nicolson).
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 17 February 1940
Age at death: 44

Private MALCOLM MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 83 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of John and Henrietta Mackenzie, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
144 Coy, Pioneer Corps
Date of death: 11 January 1944
Age at death: 37

Tuesday 15 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: James Street

FIRST WORLD WAR

Corporal ROBERT MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 12 James Street, Stornoway
6th Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 31 July 1917
Age of death: 39

Private JOHN MACRAE MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 26 James Street, Stornoway
Son of Angus and Margaret Macrae MacKenzie, of 26, James St., Stornoway.
17th Highland Light Infantry, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Battallion
Date of death: 1 July 1916
Age of death: 25

SECOND WORLD WAR

Flight Sergeant DONALD MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 20 James Street, Stornoway
Husband of Mary Morrison, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of death: 4 March 1945
Age at death: 33

Monday 14 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Inaclete Road / Kipper Road

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private JOHN MACRITCHIE
Last address in Lewis: 67 Kipper Road, Stornoway
Son of Roderick and Jessie MacRitchie, of 48, Ripper Rd., Stornoway, Scotland; husband of Janet Fleming MacRitchie, of 377. St. Clarens Avenue, Toronto.
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
Date of death: 8 May 1915
Age of death: 40

SECOND WORLD WAR

Bosun MURDO CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 42 Inaclete Road, Stornoway
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 5 August 1941
Age at death: 34

Sunday 13 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Havelock Court

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private MALCOLM MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 3 Havelock Court, Stornoway
Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 14 December 1914

Corporal DONALD MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 8 Havelock Court, Stornoway
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 3 May 1917
Age of death: 27

Saturday 12 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Goathill Road

SECOND WORLD WAR

Captain WILLIAM A WESTGARTH
Last address in Lewis: 5 Goathill Road, Stornoway
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 27 September 1942
Age at death: 56

Friday 11 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Garden Road

FIRST WORLD WAR

Seaman JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Garden Road, Stornoway
Mercantile Marine
Date of death:

Wireless Operator SAMUEL MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 13 Garden Road, Stornoway
Mercantile Marine
Date of death: 1 July 1918
Age of death: 20

Gunner SAMUEL NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 13 Garden Road, Stornoway
Son of Norman and Margaret Nicolson, of Portree, Skye.
Royal Garrison Artillery, 4th Highland Battery
Date of death: 29 September 1918
Age of death: 22

Thursday 10 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Francis Street

FIRST WORLD WAR

Lieutenant BENJAMIN GREENFIELD
Last address in Lewis: Free Church Manse Francis Street, Stornoway
Canadians, also Royal Field Artillery
Date of death: 28 November 1918
Age of death: 33

SECOND WORLD WAR

Leading Aircraftsman RODERICK JOHN MACASKILL
Last address in Lewis: 11 Francis Street, Stornoway
Son of Alex J. Macaskill and Johanna Macaskill, of Stornoway; husband of Elizabeth Macaskill (nee Ross).
Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserve
Date of death: 13 August 1944
Age at death: 35

Wednesday 9 May 2012

Stornoway memorial: Cromwell Street

FIRST WORLD WAR

Lieutenant GEORGE MACFARLANE MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 63 Cromwell Street, Stornoway
Gordon Highlanders / Royal Army Medical Corps
Date of death: 7 April 1917

Sergeant DONALD STEWART
Last address in Lewis: 85 Cromwell Street, Stornoway
Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart, of 32, Argyll Square, Oban.
Royal Garrison Artillery, Argyll Mountain Bty. 4th (Highland) Mountain Bde.
Date of death: 7 November 1915
Age of death: 25

SECOND WORLD WAR

Pilot Officer JOHN BRUCE MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 63 Cromwell Street, Stornoway
Son of John Farquhar MacLeod and Margaret Mackie MacLeod, of Peterculter, Aberdeenshire.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of death: 27 December 1941
Age at death: 21

Tuesday 8 May 2012

Iolaire collateral

A reader left a message on the guestbook for the Iolaire Disaster 1919 site, which I would like to copy. As the contact email was not valid, I have been unable to elicit further details.

My Granpa was due to sail home on the Iolaire but as it was pretty chaotic, he went home on the Sheila. He had served in France and was supposed to got to Gallipoli, however as he he was skilled tradesman he was sent to the Clyde to assist in building ships. He served in the Ross Mountain Battery. On arrival in Stornoway on the 1st January 1919 he was met by his four daughters and two sons, his wife had died whilst he was serving and he didn't get home to arrange her funeral.