Village memorial: North Dell

FIRST WORLD WAR

Sergeant WILLIAM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 3 North Dell
Son of Mrs. John MacLeod, of 2, North Dell, Ness; husband of Janet Morrison MacLeod, of North Dell, Ness, Stornoway.
8th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 28 July 1918
Age of death: 42

Private JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 12 North Dell
Son of John and Margaret Morrison, of 12, North Dell, Ness, Stornoway, Scotland.
7th Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Date of death: 24 April 1915
Age of death: 30

Private JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 16 North Dell
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 9 May 1915
Age of death: 22

Sergeant JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 18A North Dell
Son of Norman and Catherine Morrison, of 18, North Dell, Ness, Stornoway, Scotland.
123rd Canadian Pioneers
Date of death: 23 May 1917
Age of death: 31

Private NORMAN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 22 North Dell
Son of Angus Morrison
7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 1 October 1918

SECOND WORLD WAR

Private MALCOLM CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 3 North Dell
Son of Louie Campbell, and of Catherine Campbell, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 6 February 1940
Age at death: 21

Seaman MURDO MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 5 North Dell
Son of Donald and Catherine Murray.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 21 September 1941
Age at death: 29

Seaman WILLIAM JOHN MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 10 North Dell
Son of John and Mary Murray, of Ness, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 6 January 1940
Age at death: 27

Flight Engineer JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 12 North Dell
Son of Angus and Annie Morrison, of Ness, Ross and Cromarty.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of death: 20 April 1944
Age at death: 22

Seaman JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 5 New Street, North Dell
Son of Alexander and Catherine Morrison, of Ness.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 29 January 1941
Age at death: 30

Village memorial: North Bragar

FIRST WORLD WAR

ISAAC CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 33 North Bragar
Son of Murdo and Mary Campbell, brother of Malcolm, Angus and Norman Campbell.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 1917
Age of death: 30

Deckhand MURDO MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 7 North Bragar
Son of Norman and Peggy Mackay, of 7, North Bragar, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Shikari II
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 21

Private JOHN MACPHAIL
Last address in Lewis: 11 North Bragar
Son of Annie McPhail, of 11, North Bragar, Stornoway, Scotland, and the late Angus McPhail.
72nd Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Date of death: 10 August 1918
Age of death: 30

Seaman JOHN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 14 North Bragar
Date of death:

Seaman NORMAN MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 19 North Bragar
Son of John and Maggie MacLean, of 19, North Bragar, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS President III
Date of death: 5 March 1917
Age of death: 28

Leading Seaman DONALD MACPHAIL
Last address in Lewis: 24 North Bragar
Son of John and Bella Campbell MacPhail, of North Bragar; husband of E. MacPhail, of 24, North Bragar, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Otway
Date of death: 23 July 1917
Age of death: 42

Seaman DONALD CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 26 North Bragar
Son of Norman Campbell; husband of Christina Campbell, of 26, North Bragar, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Date of death: 3 February 1915
Age of death: 40

Private MURDO MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 31 North Bragar
Brother of Miss C. McKay, of 31, North Shawbost, Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 25 June 1916

Private MURDO MACPHAIL
Last address in Lewis: 32 North Bragar
Son of Christy Mcphail, 32 Bragar
29th Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Date of death: 19 April 1916
Age of death: 24

Seaman DONALD SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 43 North Bragar
Son of Donald and Annie Smith; husband of Marion Campbell Smith, of 43, North Bragar, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Goliath
Date of death: 13 May 1915
Age of death: 40

SECOND WORLD WAR

Flying Officer NORMAN JOHN MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 3 North Bragar
Son of Norman and Margaret MacLean, of Winnipeg.
Royal Canadian Air Force
Date of death: 6 September 1945
Age at death: 24

Seaman DONALD SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 23 North Bragar
Son of Donald and Mary Smith, of North Bragar, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 8 May 1940
Age at death: 31

Sister/Lieutenant EFFIE MACPHAIL
Last address in Lewis: 24 North Bragar
Daughter of Donald and Effie Macphail, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service
Date of death: 11 August 1943
Age at death: 30

JOHN MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 29 North Bragar
Son of Norman and Annie Maciver
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 17 October 1943
Age at death: 34

K MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 36 North Bragar
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 1943
Age at death: 68

Village 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

Village 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

Village memorial: New Shawbost

FIRST WORLD WAR

Leading Boatman KENNETH MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 5 New Shawbost
Coastguard,
Date of death:

Private RODERICK MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 6 New Shawbost
Son of John Murray, of 6, New Shawbost, Stornoway.
Gordon Highlanders, Depot
Date of death: 13 April 1919
Age of death: 24

Seaman DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 7 New Shawbost
Royal Naval Reserve,
Date of death: 21 October 1918

Sergeant JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 13 New Shawbost
Son of Murdo and Peggy Macdonald, of 12, New Shawbost, Stornoway.
1st Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 22 December 1914
Age of death: 40

Private MALCOLM MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 13 New Shawbost
Husband of Mary Mcdonald of Chatham, Kent
RMLI, HMS Vanguard
Date of death: 9 July 1917
Age of death: 24

Private MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 13 New Shawbost
Son of Murdo and Mary Macleod, of 13, New Shawbost, Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 22 December 1914
Age of death: 18

Lance-Corporal WILLIAM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 21 New Shawbost
Son of Angus and Effie Macleod, of 21, New Shawbost, Stornoway, Lewis.
1st Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 1 April 1916
Age of death: 23

SECOND WORLD WAR

Seaman MALCOLM MACPHAIL
Last address in Lewis: 7 New Shawbost
Son of John and Catherine Macphail; husband of Jessie Mary Macphail, of South Bragar.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 23 December 1943
Age at death: 32

Trooper NORMAN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 22 New Shawbost
53rd Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C.
Date of death: 10 February 1944
Age at death: 20

Leading Seaman JOHN MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 27 New Shawbost
Royal Navy
Date of death: 12 November 1941
Age at death: 20

Sailor DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: New Shawbost
Son of Malcolm and Mary MacLeod. of New Shawbost.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 10 October 1946
Age at death: 24

Private NICOL MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: New Shawbost
Son of Murdo and Mary Murray, of Shawbost.
Pioneer Corps
Date of death: 6 June 1942
Age at death: 22

Village memorial: New Garrabost

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 13 New Garrabost
Son of Mrs. Christina Macleod, of 13, New Garrobosh, Stornoway, Scotland.
28th Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Date of death: 6 June 1916
Age of death: 28

SECOND WORLD WAR

Leading Seaman WILLIAM LEE
Last address in Lewis: 12 New Garrabost
Son of John and Margaret Lee, of Garrabost, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve, Patrol Service
Date of death: 5 November 1942
Age at death: 30

Seaman NORMAN MONTGOMERY
Last address in Lewis: 19 New Garrabost
Son of Murdo and Catherine Montgomery, of New Garrabost, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 31 January 1941
Age at death: 39

Gaelic education

The authority of the great Dr Johnson, who was no admirer of the Gaelic language, may be cited in proof of the absurdity of the system which he found prevailing in the Hebrides in 1773—the native language proscribed in the schools, and the children taught to read ' a language which they may never use nor understand.'

The illiberal prejudice which caused this neglect of the native language was shared, curiously enough, by the illiterate parents and the educated men who had the instruction of their children in charge. The opinion of the ignorant on a question of practical education was accepted and cited, in this country, as it has been in Ireland, as if it were of any value. The result has been that the intelligent education of the Highland people, and even the progress of the English language in the country, have been retarded in a degree of which the statistics already given in reference to the adults are an illustration. Many of them, we believe, were taught to read English, whose understanding of what they read was never tested by the simple process of translation to and from their native tongue. The result was, that though they could read English, they could not speak it, far less write it. Their inability to do so necessarily unfitted them for competition in the labour market, and made them less willing to seek their fortune in other parts of the world. This is, in fact, the chief reason why so many of the inhabitants of the remote Highlands and Islands are more home-keeping and averse to migration than their fellow-countrymen in districts where the same difficulty does not prevail.

The directors of the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge took this matter into special consideration in 1824, and after careful inquiry, came to the conclusion that great injury had been done by the neglect of the vernacular language in the work of education in the Highlands. 'There seems to be,' they say, 'in the heads of the people, a very general prejudice against the use of the Gaelic as a school language, a prejudice which has been found in its full strength even when the older people could themselves use no other language But these poor people have not reflection enough to perceive what is the truth on the subject, that so long as their children talk no other language but Gaelic, it is a mere waste of time and entirely vain to burden their memories for a few years with a vocabulary of dead and unmeaning English of Christian sounds’.

Report by the Napier Commission, 1883

Gaelic in 1881

According to the census return of 1881, the number of persons in Scotland who speak Gaelic habitually is 231,594; and of these, 184,230 belong to the counties of Argyll, Inverness, Ross, and Sutherland. Gaelic is still the native and habitual speech of a very large proportion of the population of these four counties, the percentage being—in Argyllshire, 60.8; in Inverness-shire, 70.8 ; in Ross-shire, 71.4 ; and in Sutherland, 75.3.

Total population in Scotland in 1881: 3.7 million, Sutherland 22,376; Ross 79,476; Inverness 86,389 and Argyll 80,761.

Source: Report by Napier Commission, 1883. 

Village memorial: Mid Borve / Melbost Borve

FIRST WORLD WAR

Sergeant MALCOLM MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 1 Mid Borve
Son of Malcolm and Annie MacKenzie, of 1, High Borve, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
6th Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 26 April 1917
Age of death: 24

Private WILLIAM MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 1A Mid Borve
Son of Kenneth and Ann MacKenzie, of 1, High Borve, Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 1 July 1916
Age of death: 19

SECOND WORLD WAR

Seaman MALCOLM MACLEOD SNR
Last address in Lewis: 5 Melbost Borve
Son of John and Christina Macleod; husband of Peggy Macleod, of Melbost.
Royal Navy
Date of death: 27 January 1944
Age at death: 51

Seaman JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 6 Melbost Borve
Son of John and Annie Morrison, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 21 January 1940
Age at death: 37

Seaman JOHN CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 13 Melbost Borve
Son of Finlay and Margaret Campbell.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 4 May 1942
Age at death: 21

Village memorial: Melbost

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private ALEX GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 14 Melbost
Son of William and Helen Graham, of 14, Melbost, Stornoway, Scotland.
28th Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Date of death: 6 June 1916
Age of death: 21

Private ANGUS MACKINNON
Last address in Lewis: 19 Melbost
Son of Mrs Catherine MacKinnon, of 19, Melbost, Stornoway, Scotland.
28th Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Date of death: 15 June 1916
Age of death: 25

Seaman KENNETH MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 22 Melbost
Husband of Catherine McLeod, of 22, Melbost, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS President III
Date of death: 2 August 1918

Private JOHN MACFARLANE
Last address in Lewis: 27 Melbost
Son of William Macfarlane
16th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Date of death: 16 August 1918
Age of death: 29

SECOND WORLD WAR

Private ALEXANDER JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 6 Melbost
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 18 July 1942
Age at death: 28

Radio Officer IAN MACFARLANE MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Melbost
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 3 May 1944
Age at death: 20

Sergeant (Pilot) MALCOLM MACFARLANE
Last address in Lewis: 15 Melbost
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of death: 15 April 1942
Age at death: 24

Napier Report: transcription complete

I have now completed the transcription of the whole body of evidence, submitted to Lord Napier and his Commission in 1883. The last section, taken at Lanark and Edinburgh, is available for reading here. What remains for me to do is the Appendices, which comprise another few hundred pages. The evidence is split up over several more blogsites.

• Argyll
• Inverness-shire
• Isle of Skye
• Orkney
• Outer Hebrides
• Ross-shire
• Shetland
• Sutherland & Caithness

Village memorial: Marvig

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private RODERICK FINLAYSON
Last address in Lewis: 2 Marvig
Son of Donald and Annie Finlayson, of 2, Marvig, Lochs, Stornoway, lsle of Lewis.
6th Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 11 April 1917
Age of death: 20

Gunner KENNETH MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 7 Marvig
Son of Mary MacKenzie, of 7, Miavaig, Lochs, Stornoway, Scotland.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS President III (SS Llanstephan Castle)
Date of death: 22 October 1918
Age of death: 22

Seaman JOHN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 13 Marvig
Son of Alexander and Maggie Macleod Mackenzie, of 13, Marvig, Lochs, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Albemarle
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 27

Private ALEX MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 20 Marvig
Son of Alexander Morrison, of 20, Marvig, Stornoway, Lewis, Scotland.
29th Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Date of death: 16 September 1916
Age of death: 39

SECOND WORLD WAR

Petty Officer CALUM MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 1 Marvig
Royal Navy
Date of death: 1945
Age at death: 27

Sergeant KENNETH MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 3 Marvig
Son of John and Louisa MacLeod; husband of Mary Ann MacLeod, of 46 Vatisker, Back.
Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 6 October 1942
Age at death: 35

Leading Seaman WILLIAM ANGUS MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 21 Marvig
Son of George and Margaret Macdonald, of Lochs, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Navy
Date of death: 6 February 1940

Aircrafts Woman 1st class CATHERINE MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 23 Marvig
Daughter of Alexander MacLeod and of Margaret MacLeod (nee Kennedy), of Lochs.
Women's Auxiliary Air Force
Date of death: 25 July 1942
Age at death: 21

Piper DONALD MACKINNON
Last address in Lewis: 24 Marvig
Son of Roderick and Marion MacKinnon, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
4th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 11 August 1941
Age at death: 24

Leading Seaman NORMAN MACKINNON
Last address in Lewis: 24 Marvig
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 15 June 1942
Age at death: 21

The deer forest and the abattoir

The last witness to speak at the Napier Commission's session in Edinburgh, journalist Alexander Robinson, succinctly describes the pointlessness of a deer forest. 

46,182. [...] Their flesh [of deer] is of no commercial value in our markets, and the sole reason for the maintenance of these vast preserves is the gratification certain people receive from witnessing the destruction and death struggles of the antlered monarch of the glen. The same sort of pleasure could be obtained in any abbatoir at no cost to the highly refined observer[...]

Village memorial: Mangersta

FIRST WORLD WAR

Seaman DONALD MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 8 Mangersta
Son of John and Annie Morrison, of Breanish, Stornoway; husband of Annie Maciver (formerly Morrison), of Crowlista, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Jason
Date of death: 3 April 1917
Age of death: 49

Deckhand DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 10 Mangersta
Son of Finlay McLeod and Christina McLeod, of 10, Mangersta, Miaraig, Stornoway. Native of. Uig, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMPMS Nepaulin
Date of death: 20 April 1917
Age of death: 18

Napier: The central question

Proceeding through the evidence from the Napier Commission at Edinburgh, I came across this discussion between George Auldjo Jamieson and the Commission.The central question is: is there not a duty from the State to keep the people on the land. In other words, the clearances are against the interests of the state... Mr Jamieson does not agree.

45430. The people were useful, you say, and the landholders never thought of removing them from the land; but may the time not come when the State may think it proper to retain those people for certain purposes ?
—That assumes that the State is to take charge of these people, as the Highland proprietors took charge of their population.

45431. Any way you choose to put it. May not the exigencies of the State render it right that the State should take some means to protect the people and keep them in their own land, if they have no hold on the soil at present ?
—I can see no such duty devolving on the State with reference to any part of its population. And if you say that that devolves upon the State, as regards part of the population, it seems to me to lead up to a system of direct communism—you have no halting-place. I cannot, and I don't think you would propose that a distinction should be made by the State in favour of any section of its citizens at the expense of the rest, —that it should subsidize crofters out of the taxes paid by other labourers.

45432. It would be a pity if there were any mistake upon the question. I am merely following out your own statement that, in former times the large landholders did not think it necessary; in fact, it was their wisdom to keep the people on their estates. Now, I want to carry that farther; may the time not come when it may be necessary for the State, for the purpose of preserving the people in the country, to keep them just as the Highland proprietors did before ?
—Certainly not; and that would be coercing the laws of nature instead of co-operating with them. Economic laws are are just as powerful and irresistible as those of physics, and you may just as well attempt to stem the ocean as to stem the progress of events and social circumstances; they are equally beyond control, and the wise policy is to co-operate with and not to thwart them.

Unfit for independence

Landowner George Grant Mackay gives evidence to Lord Napier's Commission at Edinburgh on 22 October 1883. His attitudes to crofters are best summarised in this brief exchange with Lord Napier.

45180. These people are not fitted for independence ?
—They are not, I am sure of it. They are people who ought to be taken in hand by intelligent men and managed just as you would children.

Village memorial: Lundale

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private ANGUS MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lundale
Son of Norman and Catherine Macaulay
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 22 April 1916

Seaman DONALD MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lundale
Son of Norman and Catherine Macaulay
Royal Naval Reserve, HMABV Duke of Albany
Date of death: 24 August 1916
Age of death: 30

Private JOHN MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lundale
Son of Norman and Catherine Macaulay
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 26 October 1914
Age of death: 22

Lance-Corporal ANGUS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 5 Lundale
Son of Donald and Annie Macleod, married to Christina Macdonald, father to Angus Macleod
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 10 December 1916
Age of death: 36

Private RODERICK MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 5 Lundale
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Macleod, of 5, Sundale, Stornoway.
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 10 March 1915
Age of death: 19

SECOND WORLD WAR

Able Seaman JOHN MURDO MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 16 Lundale
Son of Donald and Ann Macdonald; husband of Georgina Macdonald, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 12 February 1940
Age at death: 39

Village memorial: Lower Shader

FIRST WORLD WAR

Seaman RODERICK GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lower Shader
Son of Angus and Peggie Mackay Graham, of Barvas, Stornoway.
Royal Navy, HMS Pembroke
Date of death: 30 December 1918
Age of death: 43

Seaman NORMAN MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 8 Lower Shader
Son of John and Margaret Martin; husband of Annie Martin, of 8, Lower Shader, Barvas, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Victory
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 42

Private MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 13 Lower Shader
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 11 April 1917

Lance-Corporal ANGUS MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 14 Lower Shader
Son of Mrs. C. McDonald, of 14, Lower Shades, Barvas, Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 25 June 1916
Age of death: 21

Private JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 14 Lower Shader
1st Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 23 July 1916
Age of death: 24

Seaman MURDO MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 18 Lower Shader
Son of John Macleod, of 18, Lower Shader, Barvas, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Victory
Date of death: 20 January 1919
Age of death: 28

Seaman DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 20 Lower Shader
Son of Murdo and Catherine Murray MacLeod, of 20, Lower Shader, Barvas, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, SS Saxonia.
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 33

Private MURDO MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 22 Lower Shader
Son of Mrs. M. Maciver, of 22, Lower Shader, Barvas, Stornoway.
6th Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 31 May 1918
Age of death: 19

Private JOHN MACASKILL
Last address in Lewis: 23 Lower Shader
Son of Malcolm and Ann Macaskill, of 23, Lower Shader, Stornoway.
1st Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 22 December 1914
Age of death: 23

Seaman JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 25A Lower Shader
Son of John and Mary Macdonald, of 25, Lower Shader, Barvas, Stornoway.
Royal Navy Voluntary Reserve, HMD Boy George III
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 32

Seaman JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 25 Lower Shader
Son of Mr. and Mrs. John MacLeod, of 25, Lower Shader, Barvas, Stornoway; husband of Isabelle MacLeod, of 25, Lower Shader, Barvas, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Newmarket
Date of death: 16 July 1917
Age of death: 45

Corporal DONALD SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 29 Lower Shader
Son of Murdo and Henrietta Smith, of 29 Lower Shader, Barvas, Stornoway, Scotland.
46th Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Date of death: 25 June 1917
Age of death: 31

Private NORMAN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 29 Lower Shader
1st Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 22 December 1914

Seaman JOHN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 32 Lower Shader
Son of Donald and Mary Smith, of 32, Lower Shader, Barvas, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Kent
Date of death: 26 December 1915
Age of death: 46

ALEX MACLEAY
Last address in Lewis: 33 Lower Shader
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 1 December 1918

Seaman ANGUS MACLEAY
Last address in Lewis: 33 Lower Shader
Son of John and Annie MacLeay; husband of Katy Ann MacLeay, of 33, Lower Shader, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Emperor of India
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 38

Seaman ALEXANDER MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 33 Lower Shader
Son of John and Mary Matheson Martin; husband of Mary Macleod Martin, of 33, Lower Shader, Barvas, Lewis. Born at Shader, Barvas, Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Rugby
Date of death: 27 November 1918
Age of death: 30

Leading Seaman DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 34 Lower Shader
Son of Donald and Peggy Macdonald, of Shader, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Mars
Date of death: 24 February 1919
Age of death: 29

Private JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 34 Lower Shader
Son of Donald and Peggy Macdonald, of 34, Lower Shader, Barvas, Stornoway.
1st Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 25 September 1915
Age of death: 19

Seaman JOHN MACLEAY
Last address in Lewis: 38 Lower Shader
Son of John and Annie MacLeay. Born at Shader Barvas, Lewis.
Royal Naval Division, Collingwood Battallion
Date of death: 26 August 1915
Age of death: 31

Seaman DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 39 Lower Shader
Son of Norman and Christy Macdonald, of 39, Lower Shaders, Barras, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Mercantile Marine, SS Moresby
Date of death: 28 November 1916
Age of death: 27

SECOND WORLD WAR

Private DONALD GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 9 Lower Shader
Son of Donald and Emily Graham, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
2nd Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 9 June 1944
Age at death: 24

Seaman JOHN MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 16 Lower Shader
Son of Donald and Annie Martin, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 31 August 1940
Age at death: 26

Private JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 27 Lower Shader
Son of John and Catherine Macleod, of Lower Shader
Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Date of death: 13 August 1944
Age at death: 25

Seaman ANGUS MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 30 Lower Shader
Son of Angus MacDonald, and of Effie MacDonald, of Barvas, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 10 April 1941

Village memorial: Lower Sandwick

FIRST WORLD WAR

Sergeant WILLIAM JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lower Sandwick
Son of the late William and Isabella MacLeod, of 3, Lower Sandwick, Stornoway.
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 26 August 1918
Age of death: 31

Private KENNETH MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 6 Lower Sandwick
Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death:

Private ALEX MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 10 Lower Sandwick
Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John MacAulay, of 10, Lower Sandwick, Stornoway, Scotland.
2nd Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
Date of death: 9 September 1916
Age of death: 37

Seaman JOHN MACASKILL
Last address in Lewis: 12 Lower Sandwick
Son of Kenneth and Mary Macaskill, of 12, Lower Sandwick, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Thomas Booth
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 24

Seaman DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 21 Lower Sandwick
Son of Alexander and Catherine Macdonald
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 10 November 1916
Age of death: 50

Lance-Corporal DONALD MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 27 Lower Sandwick
Son of Marion A. Miller (formerly McKenzie), of 2, Gilcomston Terrace, Aberdeen.
3rd Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 21 July 1915
Age of death: 20

SECOND WORLD WAR

Carpenter JOHN ANGUS MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 8 Lower Sandwick
Son of Angus and Mary MacDonald; husband of Margaret Ann MacDonald, of Alexandria, Dunbartonshire.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 7 November 1943
Age at death: 29

Carpenter CHARLES MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 20 Lower Sandwick
Son of Kenneth and Catherine Morrison; husband of Margaret Morrison.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 6 August 1941
Age at death: 46

Seaman GEORGE MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: Lower Sandwick
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 26 February 1943
Age at death: 29

Napier Commission in Iona - Foot & Mouth

Malcolm Ferguson represented the people of Iona at the Commission's hearing in Lanark. In his opening statement he alleges that:
[...]a bull infected with foot-and-mouth disease was bought in the south by the late factor for his own stock in Mull, but on observing that he was infected with the disease, was landed in Iona, by which our cattle in the whole island became infected, and some of them died by it.
That the late factor sent sheep which were infected with scab and other diseases on to the island to winter ; these sheep strayed on our crofts and common pasture, and infected our sheep with those diseases which were never known before on the island ; and fearing we might drive them away he ordered our dogs to be killed, and actually sent his gamekeeper to kill them.

Upon interrogation by Sir Kenneth Mackenzie and Lord Napier, further details emerge
44207. There is a reference here to the factor having introduced disease into the island by having sent a diseased bull to Iona, but he sent this to his own farm ?
—It was brought from the south for his own farm, but it seems that when it was seen the animal was diseased it was landed in Iona.

[...]
44212. And you think he was aware this bull was diseased when he sent it to Iona ?
—I think that was the object, so that it would not go to his own farm.

44213. It did go to his own farm, but it was a farm, you say, where there was no stock ?
—Yes. Of course, I cannot give any satisfactory answer about the bull, because the bull was in Iona before I ever was there.

44214. Lord Napier
—Is there any foot-and-mouth disease there now ?
—No, I never heard of any foot-and-mouth disease in Iona since.

44215. Or scab ?
—Yes, the scab is very prevalent in Iona.

[...]
44220. Will you explain a little more fully about this bull. Was the bull taken, in the first instance, to the farm of the factor in the Ross of Mull ?
—I was not in Iona at the time, but I understand it was in this way. The bull was bought in the south of Argyllshire, and was brought to Mull, and when it was found that the animal was diseased it was landed in Iona, so that the disease would not spread through Mull, or through the factor's stock there.

44221. So, to save the Ross of Mull, Iona was sacrificed ?
—Yes, that was the way we understood the matter.

An uncleanly and half-civilised existence

At the Napier Commission's session at Lanark, in October 1883, the Commission Agent for the Dominion Government of Canada highlighted the benefits of emigration of crofters. In pointing out the disadvantages of not emigrating, Mr Thomas Grahame did not mince his words. 
 
Another point which has struck me as of importance is this, that whatever may be accomplished in the way of emigration, it would be a great mistake in the existence of those who remain to have so many of them continue in the state of life in which they are at present; neither one thing nor another, dragging out a miserable, lazy, and uncleanly existence; and this is to a very great extent, doubtless, from having no certain fixed mode of occupation. They are fishermen at some times, crofters at others, gillies on some occasions, but without sufficient continuous occupation to steady them in life. What I would suggest in this respect is, that if they are fishermen they should have nothing to do with the land. Let them have their houses for their families, their cow's grass, and a little garden each, and attend to the prosecution of their duties as fishermen. If they are crofters, let them have a sufficient amount of ground for themselves and their families to live upon in a satisfactory way, say three or four times the general amount as at present held in a croft, and then let those who are superfluous in numbers emigrate to the colonies, where they will be the best off of the whole lot. At the same time, by this process being adopted, it gives a chance for those who are left behind to obtain a decent livelihood, and not exist as at present in a worse shape in many cases than the people of semi-civilised tribes.

Napier Commission at Lochaline (2)

In the evidence that the Commission took at Lochaline is a frank exchange of views between Mr Fraser-Mackintosh and Lochaline estate manager William Henderson Harvie on the reason why people were cleared off the estate. Mr Fraser-Mackintosh does not mince his words. 

36612. You have given us a full and frank statement about the estate so far as you know it; have you ever heard the statement made with regard to property, I can do what I like with my own?
—Yes, but I don't believe that.

36613. Have you heard the other statement that property has its duties as well as its rights?
—Yes.

36614. And which of these do you go upon?
—Property has its duties as well as its rights.

36615. I may take it for granted in this case that the rights of property were exercised when these people were put away?
—Yes.

36616. Take the alternative now; what in the nature of duty was done by the estate for those people?
—I tell you I can give no information about it further than I have done.

36617. Is there any use in beating about the bush; is it not the fact that those people were removed solely and entirely because they were in the way of sheep ?
—Certainly not.

36618. If not, what other reason was there?
—It would have entailed very considerable expenditure upon the proprietor to have built houses and put up fencing to have carried out any system of farming.

36619. That is what I say, the people were in the way. The proprietrix did not choose to spend that money, and therefore they must go and make room for the sheep; is not that so ?
—I have given you all the facts I can.

[...]

36624. Is that your answer to my question ? If you find a person go on some years following a certain profession, the pursuit of agriculture in their own way, and you of a sudden put a stop to that which they have been accustomed to, what is the result with these people ; can they at one moment turn their attention to another profession?
—I was not aware those crofters had a profession.

36625. Had not they the profession of agriculture ?
—I was not aware they had land in their possession except a garden and a cow's grass. I don't know what profession you call that.

36626. They said themselves they were happy and contented with their lot and made a living ?
—They were always that, and yet periodically they were in great destitution, and every now and again, as Dr Macleod told me himself, subscriptions had to be got up to assist them.

36627. And that being the case, the estate thought the best thing for them would be to deprive them of what they had ?
—I cannot say what the proprietor then thought. I am merely giving you the information I have. I cannot state what the proprietor thought when I was not made aware of it.

36628. The rental of the estate has increased, has it not ?
—Yes.

36629. The people have been swept away, is that not so ?
—I hear.

36630. The people have been swept away ?
—There is some of them in existence yet; you have seen them.

Village memorial: Lower Garrabost

FIRST WORLD WAR

Seaman ANGUS GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 4 Lower Garrabost
Son of Murdo and Catherine Graham, of Garrabost; husband of Bella McKenzie Graham, of 4, Lower Garrabost, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Invincible
Date of death: 31 May 1916
Age of death: 50

Seaman MALCOLM MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 5 Lower Garrabost
Son of Roderick and Rachel Mackay Murray; husband of Catherine Murray, of 5, New Garrabost, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Navy, HMS Invincible
Date of death: 31 May 1916
Age of death: 46

Private ALLAN GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 6 Lower Garrabost
Son of Allan and Mary MacKay Graham, of 6, Garrabost, Stornoway.
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 18 January 1916
Age of death: 18

Private MURDO MACSWEEN
Last address in Lewis: 8 Lower Garrabost
Son of Murdo and Christina McSween, of Garrabost, Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 15 July 1916
Age of death: 19

Able Seaman DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 23 Lower Garrabost
Son of Donald and Christina Macleod, of 23, Garrabost, Stornoway, Lewis.
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, HMS Attentive II
Date of death: 15 January 1917
Age of death: 22

Private DONALD MONTGOMERY
Last address in Lewis: 29 Lower Garrabost
7th Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 28 January 1917
Age of death: 19

Private ALEX MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 30 Lower Garrabost
Son of Angus and Margaret Macleod, of 30, Garrabost, Stornoway, Lewis.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 1 July 1916
Age of death: 23

Deckhand JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 30 Lower Garrabost
Son of Alexander and Catherine Macleod, of Garrabost; husband of Maggie Macleod, of 30, Lower Garrabost, Stornoway.
Mercantile Marine Reserve, HMS Victor
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 37

Sergeant MALCOLM MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 43 Lower Garrabost
Son of John and Effie Macdonald, of 43, Garrabost, Stornoway.
1st Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 16 May 1915
Age of death: 21

Seaman JOHN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 44 Lower Garrabost
Date of death:

Seaman JOHN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 48 Lower Garrabost
Son of John and Marion Campbell Smith, of 22, South Bragar, Stornoway; husband of Christina Smith, of 48, Lower Garrabost, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMT John High
Date of death: 6 August 1916
Age of death: 47

Seaman MURDO MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 50 Lower Garrabost
Royal Naval Reserve, HMY Sanda
Date of death: 25 September 1915
Age of death: 24

Private KENNETH MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 51 Lower Garrabost
Son of Kenneth and Annie MacKenzie, of 51, Lower Garrabost, Stornoway, Scotland.
43rd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Date of death: 28 August 1918
Age of death: 28

Gunner MURDO MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 51 Lower Garrabost
Son of Kenneth and Annie Mackenzie, of 51, Garrabost, Stornoway.
Royal Garrison Artillery, 4th Highland Battery
Date of death: 5 June 1915
Age of death: 19

Leading Seaman ALEX MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 52 Lower Garrabost
Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Merse
Date of death: 22 May 1917
Age of death: 31

SECOND WORLD WAR

Company Sergeant-Major DONALD GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 41 Lower Garrabost
Son of Donald and Catherine Graham; husband of Mary Graham, of Andersier, Inverness-shire.
10th Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment)
Date of death: 19 June 1945
Age at death: 42

Napier Commission at Lochaline

I am currently transcribing the evidence from the Napier Commission from its session at Lochaline in August 1883. Lochaline is a small village on the Morvern peninsula, facing the island of Mull across the Sound of Mull.

The complaints from the crofters and cottars there were hard hitting, as they have been all over the Highlands and Islands thus far. I copy a few salient quotes from the answer to question 36138.

On the subject of milk:

We feel very much the want of milk for our families. Many of us would be very glad if we could get a cow's grass even without arable land at a reasonable rent which we could pay. The rent for a cow's grass, without any arable land, charged by the late proprietrix is £ 3 a year, which we consider an intentional discouragement against any one aspiring to the dignity of keeping a cow. We know that the want of good milk, such as most of us have been accustomed to in our younger days, has a deteriorating influence upon ourselves, and more especially upon our children. We are aware that a certain medical gentlemen in another part, while being examined before the Commission, recommended cheap beer as a substitute for milk. The use and introduction of such a substitute for milk in rearing our offspring we, and we are sure all Highlanders, will repudiate with scorn. We look upon such a suggestion as an insult to us ; and we cannot perceive why we should be deprived of the means of having a supply of good milk, so that the proprietor may obtain a few pounds more rent

On the subject of fuel

Under former proprietors, the poorest of us had the privilege of cutting peats on the hill as near hand as we could find them; but now we are prevented from doing this, and compelled to go to the top of the hill to cut them. The poorest and most destitute of us dare not gather a few tufts of heather to keep up the fire in case the game be interfered with, or be put to the least inconvenience. Our Lord and Saviour said, " How much more valuable is a man than a sheep ?" But our landlords say, " How much more valuable is, not even a sheep, but a game bird than a man ?" In consequence of the above restrictions as to fuel, we are at all seasons of the year under the necessity of buying coal, and in this remote district, so far situated from the coal centres of the south, coal is a luxury which some of us can ill afford. As an instance of the petty tyranny exercised over us regarding these matters, we wish to refer to a case which happened about two years ago, when a man belonging to our village, who is both a cripple and in receipt of parochial aid, was found on the road with a bundle of heather for his fire, and was unmercifully deprived of his heather by one of the estate gamekeepers and shoved along the road.

On the subject of land

We therefore consider it a great grievance that we, being loyal subjects of Her Majesty, living under what we are taught to believe to be the glorious British Constitution, living in a country which is supposed to be the best governed country in the world, should be left so much to the mercy of landed proprietors, and, still worse, their factors, that we can scarcely call our souls our own. We cannot reconcile all the boasted freedom to be enjoyed by all Her Majesty's subjects alike with what we know to be the truth in our own case. From our experience, we are more inclined to believe with Lord Macaulay, that the country, and Scotland especially, has the worst constitution in Europe, at least so far as the land laws are concerned. We therefore trust that Her Majesty's Commissioners shall take our case into consideration.

Village memorial: Lochganvich

SECOND WORLD WAR

Able Seaman DONALD MURDO MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: Lochganvich
Son of Angus Lewis MacIver and Marion MacIver, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 7 May 1944
Age at death: 20

Village memorial: Lochcroistean

SECOND WORLD WAR

Private DUNCAN MCLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Lochcroistean
Son of Norman and Bell Ann McLeod, of Tighnabruaich, Argyllshire, Scotland (latterly of Lochcroistean, according to headstone in Bragar Cemetery, Lewis)
Australian Imperial Forces, A.I.F. 2/2 Motor Amb.Coy.
Date of death: 19 September 1943
Age at death: 42

95 years ago today

Private NORMAN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 10 South Dell
Son of Murdo and Flora Morrison of 10 South Dell
Service unit: 3rd Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 3/5645
Discharged at Aberdeen on 29 May 1916 due to gunshot wounds and TB
Date of death: 16 March 1917 at the age of 23
Died of wounds at home
Interred: Old Ness Cemetery, Swainbost, lair 95
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

That is the summary information I have on Norman, none of whose family now remain in Ness. He died at home in South Dell, ten months after his discharge from the army. Until two years ago, he rested in an unmarked grave in the Old Ness Cemetery, and a cursory reference to him in the Roll of Honour was all that pointed to his sacrifice. He was not recorded with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission either. Well, let us have a look at his army career.

3 May 1910. At the age of 17 years and 9 months, Norman, a fisherman, enrolls with the reserves of the 3rd battalion the Gordon Highlanders at Inverness. He is described as 5 feet 6¼ ins tall, weight 116 lbs, hazel eyes, light brown hair and a Presbyterian. He is passed fit for service, and formally embodied at Aberdeen on 5 May 1910. Norman faithfully attends training every  year, from 1911 until 1914.

On 8 August 1914, four days after the outbreak of hostilities, Norman is mobilised and put on strength. He went to France on 22 June 1915, and suffered a gunshot wound to the chest on 10 August 1915, and a gunshot wound to the left knee on 25 September 1915. Norman was repatriated home, and finally discharged due to tuberculosis of the lung on 29 May 1916.

The army forms also reveal the names of his brothers, Alex and Donald. A tribute in the Stornoway Gazette also refers to his four sisters.

Following the first injury (to his right shoulder), Norman was taken to the casualty clearing station on 11 August 1915, then to Hazebrouck and finally on to the general hospital at Etaples, on the Channel coast. On 27 August, he is taken to convalescent camp at Rouen, finally to rejoin the ranks of 1st battalion Scottish Rifles on 31 August. Not four weeks later, on 25 September, he is wounded in the knee. He is once more taken to Etaples on the 28th, but finally transferred to England the next day.

On 8 January 1916, at the general hospital in Edmonton (north London), he is discharged for 12 months, until 29 November 1916. Norman is described as pale, anaemic and suffering from a cough. His temperature consistently rises to 101°F in the evening, and his sputum is found to contain large numbers of tuberculous bacilli. A permanent discharge follows on 29 May 1916. Ten months later, at around 5 o'clock in the afternoon on 16 March 1917, Norman passes away at home in South Dell.

Forward 93 years. Norman Morrison's name is found not to feature on the files of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. He is not recognised as a Commonwealth War Dead. A volunteer from the In From the Cold Project determines that there is a possibility that he could be recognised as such. A file is submitted to the Ministry of Defense as well as to CWGC.

In January 2011, word comes through that Norman Morrison has been recognised was Commonwealth War Dead, in other words, he died as a result of the service to King and country during the First World War. A CWGC gravestone is to be erected at the Old Cemetery in Ness.

Village memorial: Lionel

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private JOHN CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 5 Lionel
Son of the late Murdo Campbell and of Annie Campbell, of 5, Lionel, Ness, Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 4 May 1917
Age of death: 26

Seaman DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Lionel
Son of Kenneth and Annie Macleod, of 7, Lionel, Ness, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Fisgard II
Date of death: 19 September 1914
Age of death: 23

Private JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 8 Lionel
Son of Donald and Jane Morrison, of 8, Lionel, Ness, Stornoway, Scotland.
29th Vancouver Battalion, Canadians
Date of death: 26 September 1916
Age of death: 34

Private ALEX GILLIES
Last address in Lewis: 14 Lionel
Son of John and Annie Gillies, of 14, Lionel Ness, Lewis, Scotland; husband of Isabella Gillies, of 39, 28th Avenue West, Vancouver, British Columbia.
15th Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)
Date of death: 25 May 1915
Age of death: 34

Private ANGUS GILLIES
Last address in Lewis: 15 Lionel
7th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 10 October 1916
Age of death: 28

Lance-Corporal JOHN GILLIES
Last address in Lewis: 15 Lionel
Son of Donald and Mary Gillies, of 15, Lionel, Port of Ness, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
8th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 23 April 1917
Age of death: 24

Private JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 16 Lionel
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 7 January 1916
Age of death: 20

Lance-Corporal JOHN MACRITCHIE
Last address in Lewis: 16 Lionel
Son of Angus and Annie McLean McRitchie, of 16, Lionel, Ness, Stornoway.
3rd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 5 June 1915
Age of death: 19

Seaman NORMAN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 17 Lionel
Son of Donald and Jessie Morrison, of 17, Lionel, Ness, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Urka
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 20

Private DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 19 Lionel
Son of Angus and Annie Macdonald, of 19, Lionel, Ness, Lewis.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders, D Coy
Date of death: 10 April 1917
Age of death: 23

Private ALEX MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 21 Lionel
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 7 January 1916
Age of death: 21

Seaman JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 23 Lionel
Date of death:

Corporal DONALD CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 27 Lionel
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 5 November 1917
Age of death: 29

Sailor JOHN CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 27 Lionel
Son of John and Ann Campbell (nee MacRitchie), of 27, New St., Lionel, Ness, Stornoway.
Mercantile Marine, SS Farnham
Date of death: 4 May 1917
Age of death: 23

Corporal JOHN MACRITCHIE
Last address in Lewis: 28 Lionel
Son of James and Catherine McRitchie, of 28, Lionel Ness, Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 2 September 1918
Age of death: 24

Seaman ANGUS CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 31 Lionel
Son of Donald and Catherina Campbell, of 31, Lionel, Ness, Stornoway; husband of Susy Ann Campbell, of 31, Lionel, Ness, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Excellent
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 44

Lance-Corporal JOHN MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 32 Lionel
Son of John and Catherine Campbell MacIver, of 32, New St., Lionel, Port of Ness, Stornoway.
8th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 7 October 1916
Age of death: 21

Seaman JOHN MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 36 Lionel
Husband of Annie Murray, of 36, Lionel, Ness, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 46

SECOND WORLD WAR

Seaman ANGUS MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lionel
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 6 December 1942
Age at death: 22

Seaman DONALD CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 6 Lionel
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 21 January 1940
Age at death: 21

Lance Corporal JOHN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 11 Lionel
Son of Donald and Christina Smith, of Port of Ness, Isle of Lewis.
Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 6 October 1940
Age at death: 22

Seaman MURDO MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 29 Lionel
Son of Angus and Bella Morrison, of Lionel, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 17 October 1940
Age at death: 20

JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 30 Lionel
of 3 Inchlea Street, Glasgow. Son of the late Angus and Catherine McDonald Morrison, of 30 Lionel Ness, Stornoway; husband of Mary Morrison.
Date of death: 15 September 1941
Age at death: 39

MURDO MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 30 Lionel
Husband of Mary Morrison, of 88 Dumbarton Road, Clydebank.
Date of death: 15 September 1941
Age at death: 47

Able Seaman NORMAN MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 36 Lionel
Son of John Murray, and of Annie Murray, of Port of Ness, Isle of Lewis.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 13 August 1942
Age at death: 30

Let them drink tea

Dr Victor Alexander Ross, serving the parish of Uig, gives evidence to the Dewar Commission which is sitting at Garynahine in October 1912. He attributes health problems to (among other things) tea drinking. 

11,413. Are there many cases that you can attribute to over-tea-drinking ?
—Yes ; many cases, especially on the female side.

11,414. Do they not take much porridge ?
—No, unfortunately it has gone out.

11,415. They give the tea to the children too ?
—Yes. It is not tea ; it is a sort of bark. It is that sort of tea that constricts your tongue when you take it.

Village memorial: Leurbost

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private DONALD NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 4 Leurbost
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Nicolson, of 4, Lurebort, Lochs, Stornoway.
2nd Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 7 June 1915
Age of death: 19

Gunner ALEX ANGUS MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 11 Leurbost
Son of Alexander and Isabella Mackenzie
Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Roman Empire
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 40

Seaman ALLAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 11 Leurbost
Nephew of Mrs. J. MacKenzie, of II, Leurbost, Lochs, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS President III
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 25

Private JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 13 Leurbost
Son of Colin and Margaret McLeod, of 13, Lurebost, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
4th Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 25 March 1918
Age of death: 20

Gunner JOHN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 14 Leurbost
Son of Donald and Maggie McKenzie, of 14, Lurebost, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, SS Bombala
Date of death: 25 April 1918
Age of death: 23

Leading Seaman NEIL MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 14 Leurbost
Son of Maggie MacLean, of 14, Lurebost, Stornoway, Scotland, and the late Neil MacLean.
Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve, HMCS Galiano
Date of death: 30 October 1918
Age of death: 34

Deckhand ALEX MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 16 Leurbost
Son of Donald and Mary Mackenzie
Royal Naval Reserve, HMD Mary
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 20

Seaman JOHN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 16 Leurbost
Son of Donald and Mary Mackenzie
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Emperor of India
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 30

Private ROBERT PATERSON
Last address in Lewis: 17 Leurbost
Brother of Mr. A. Paterson, of 17, Leurbost Lochs, Stornoway.
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 12 October 1915
Age of death: 20

Private JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 20 Leurbost
5th Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 25 September 1915

Private JOHN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 25 Leurbost
2nd Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 11 March 1915
Age of death: 26

Private KENNETH SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 25 Leurbost
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 1 July 1916

Quartermaster MURDO SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 25 Leurbost
Son of Isabella Smith (nee McLeod), of 25, Lurebost, Lochs, Stornoway, and the late John Smith.
Mercantile Marine, SS Ava
Date of death: 26 January 1917
Age of death: 30

Seaman ALEX MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 26 Leurbost
Son of Donald and Margaret Maciver, of 26, Luerbost, Locks, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Viknor
Date of death: 13 January 1915
Age of death: 24

Seaman DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 26C Leurbost
Son of Murdo and Mary Maciver, of 26, Lurebost, Lochs, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Recepto
Date of death: 24 February 1917
Age of death: 38

Seaman MURDO SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 26 Leurbost
Mercantile Marine Reserve
Date of death: 1 April 1917

Seaman KENNETH SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 28 Leurbost
Son of Murdo and Mary Smith of Luerbost, Lochs; husband of Annie Smith, of 28A, Luerbost, Lochs, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 41

Piper DAVID MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 34 Leurbost
1st Seaforth Highlanders and 4th Highland Light Infantry
Date of death: 27 August 1915
Age of death: 40

Gunner DONALD SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 34 Leurbost
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Roderick Smith, of 34, Lurebost, Lochs, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Emperor of India
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 27

Seaman DONALD MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 35 Leurbost
Son of George and Isabella Maclean; husband of Annie Maclean, of 35, Lurebost, Lochs, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Colleen
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 48

Gunner RODERICK JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 36 Leurbost
Son of Murdo and Maggie Macdonald, of 36, Lurebost, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Wallington
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 27

Seaman MURDO MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 39 Leurbost
Son of Alexander and Marion Maclean, of 39, Lurebost, Lochs, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Snipe
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 31

Seaman MURDO MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 41 Leurbost
Son of Donald and Christina McLeod McDonald, of Leurbost; husband of Mary McRae McDonald, of Leurbost, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Defense
Date of death: 31 May 1916
Age of death: 31

Private PETER MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 41 Leurbost
Son of Donald and Christina Macdonald, of 41, Leurbost Lochs, Stornoway.
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 12 April 1916
Age of death: 19

Seaman ANGUS MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 42 Leurbost
Son of Allan and Mary MacDonald; husband of Mary MacDonald, of 42, Lurebost, Lochs, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Imperieuse
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 44

Seaman HECTOR MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 43B Leurbost
Son of Donald and Christina Martin, of 43, Lurebost, Lochs, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Wallington
Date of death: 1 July 1918
Age of death: 21

Private DONALD JOHN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 44 Leurbost
4th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 13 June 1915
Age of death: 22

Seaman ANGUS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 46 Leurbost
Son of Angus and Marion Macleod
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Snipe
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 27

Lance-Corporal RODERICK MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 53 Leurbost
Military Police Corps
Date of death: 8 June 1919

Private JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 56 Leurbost
Son of John and Christine MacDonald MacLeod, of 56, Leurbost Lochs, Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 12 April 1917
Age of death: 28

SECOND WORLD WAR

Seaman DONALD MACKINNON
Last address in Lewis: 4 Leurbost
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death:

Able Seaman RODERICK MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 25 Leurbost
Son of Roderick and Jessie MacRae.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 19 August 1941
Age at death: 18

Able Seaman KENNETH DANIEL MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 26 Leurbost
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 23 April 1942
Age at death: 20

Seaman DONALD NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 26 Leurbost
Son of Kenneth and Mary Nicolson, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 4 October 1942
Age at death: 22

Corporal RODERICK MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 36 Leurbost
Son of Angus and Maggie Macleod, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
5th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 8 August 1944
Age at death: 21

Able Seaman DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 41 Leurbost
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 17 February 1942
Age at death: 30

Able Seaman DONALD JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 41 Leurbost
Son of Roderick and Isabella MacLeod, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 25 April 1942
Age at death: 19

Able Seaman MURDO MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 4 New Holdings, Leurbost
Son of Kenneth and Mary Ann Maclean, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 26 July 1943
Age at death: 21

Seaman ALEXANDER MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 5 New Holdings, Leurbost
Son of Murdo and Mary Morrison, of Leurbost, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Navy
Date of death: 27 June 1941
Age at death: 29

Seaman JOHN DANIEL MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 9 New Holdings, Leurbost
Son of John and Mary MacLeod, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 21 January 1940
Age at death: 22

Seaman DONALD NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 11 New Holdings, Leurbost
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 16 May 1941
Age at death: 21

Village memorial: Lemreway

FIRST WORLD WAR

Seaman DAVID MACINNES
Last address in Lewis: 2B Lemreway
Son of Peter and Annie Macinnes, of 2, Lemreway, Lochs, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Daniel Henry
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 19

Seaman MALCOLM MACINNES
Last address in Lewis: 2 Lemreway
Son of Murdo and Mary Macinnes
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Dublin
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 26

Seaman MURDO FERGUSON
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lemreway
Son of Murdo and Christina Ferguson. Husband of Betsy Ferguson, of 3, Lemreway, Lochs, Stornoway, with 4 children
Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Morgan Jones
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 48

Private JOHN ANGUS CHISHOLM
Last address in Lewis: 8 Lemreway
Son of Angus Chisholm, of 8, Lemveway, Stornoway.
1st Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 22 December 1914
Age of death: 20

Lance-Corporal DUNCAN MACMILLAN
Last address in Lewis: 23 Lemreway
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Macmillan, of 23, Lemreway, Lochs, Stornoway, Lewis.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 27 March 1915
Age of death: 27

Seaman KENNETH NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 24 Lemreway
Son of Angus and Isabella Nicolson
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Goliath
Date of death: 13 May 1915
Age of death: 19

SECOND WORLD WAR

Able Seaman MALCOLM MACINNES
Last address in Lewis: 2 Lemreway
Son of Peter and Annie MacInnes, of Lemreway, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis; husband of Christina MacInnes.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 20 March 1945
Age at death: 44

Seaman MURDO FERGUSON
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lemreway
Son of Murdo and Betsy Ferguson, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 13 December 1941
Age at death: 35

Seaman MURDO ANGUS MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Lemreway
Son of Murdo and Margaret Macdonald, of Lochs, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve, Patrol Service
Date of death: 20 January 1941
Age at death: 26

Seaman RODERICK MACINNES
Last address in Lewis: 12 Lemreway
Son of Neil and Kate Macinnes, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 13 December 1941
Age at death: 21

Able Seaman RODERICK ANGUS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 30 Lemreway
Son of Duncan and Marion Macleod, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 2 July 1943
Age at death: 29

Captain NORMAN ARCHIBALD DONALDSON
Last address in Lewis: Lemreway
Son of Archibald and Mary Donaldson; husband of Helen Elizabeth Jean Donaldson, of Toronto, Ontario.
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's), R.C.I.C.
Date of death: 26 February 1945

The men of Mull

John Campbell gave evidence to the Napier Commission at its session in Tobermory on 10 August 1883. He represented the villagers of Dervaig, in the north of the island of Mull. At the age of 51, he had seen active service in the army, and but little thanks he got for it upon return to his home turf.

35962. Mr Fraser-Mackintosh.
—Are there any men in the army from Dervaig but yourself?
—In the time of the Crimean war there were seven of us out of that locality in Her Majesty's service, and four of us went up the Alma, and I am the most insignificant of the whole. We went through the whole of the Crimean war. Three of us again went through the whole of the Indian Mutiny. In Afghanistan we were represented by one of our number, and he was killed in the last battle. That is the last belonging to our place who was in Her Majesty's service.

35963. What regiment was he in?
—The 79th and 92nd. I was in the 79th at first, and transferred to the 92nd in India.

35964. In what regiment was the poor man who was killed in the last battle?
—It was Allan Macdonald who was killed at the last battle at Candahar. We have no less than fourteen war medals, a star, and twentyone clasps in our village.

35965. But notwithstanding all these services you have been ill-used in the matter of your possessions ?
—We complain bitterly that we cannot get these houses which our forefathers paid for. The people went and came, and paid these houses without let or hindrance until this proprietor got hold of the estate, when he induced the people to sign an instrument, which they would sooner cut off their right hand than sign now.

Village memorial: Laxdale

FIRST WORLD WAR

Lance-Corporal ANGUS MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 3 Laxdale
Son of Catherine Mackay, of 16, Laxdale, Stornoway, Scotland.
8th Coy Canadian Machine Gun Corps
Date of death: 13 November 1917
Age of death: 26

Stoker 1st Class HUGH MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 46 Laxdale
Royal Navy, HMS Triumph
Date of death: 26 May 1915
Age of death: 47

Private HECTOR MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: Hawthorn Cottage Laxdale
Son of Malcolm and Mary Morrison, of Hawthorn Cottage, Laxdale, Stornoway, Lewis.
2nd / 14th Gordon Highlanders attached London Scottish
Date of death: 31 July 1918
Age of death: 32

SECOND WORLD WAR

Seaman NORMAN MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 7 Laxdale Lane Laxdale
Son of Donald and Mary Ann Murray, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Navy, Patrol Service
Date of death: 25 January 1941
Age at death: 28

Flight Sergeant JOHN NEIL MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: Laxdale
Son of Norman and Marion MacIver, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Royal Canadian Air Force
Date of death: 13 October 1942
Age at death: 21

Village memorial: Laxay

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private KENNETH MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 2 Laxay
Son of Malcolm Mcleod, 2 Laxay, Lochs
43rd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Date of death: 23 November 1918
Age of death: 26

Private ANGUS MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 8 Laxay
Son of John and Christina Mackenzie
Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 14 October 1915
Age of death: 21

Corporal ANGUS MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 9A Laxay
Son of Angus and Mary MacIver, of Laxay, Loch, Lewis, Scotland; husband of Jessie MacIver, of 2145, 10th Avenue West, Vancouver, British Columbia.
12th Field Coy Canadian Engineers
Date of death: 25 August 1916
Age of death: 35

Corporal DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 12 Laxay
Son of Murdo and Catherine Maciver
1st Scottish Rifles
Date of death: 23 September 1918
Age of death: 27

Sergeant ALEX MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 14 Laxay
Son of Malcolm and Mary Ann MacKenzie, of 14, Laxay Lochs, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland.
13th Australian Infantry
Date of death: 18 April 1917
Age of death: 35

Sergeant GEORGE MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 18 Laxay
Son of John and Catherine Macdonald of Laxay, Stornoway, Scotland
5th Bde Canadian Field Artillery
Date of death: 10 September 1918
Age of death: 30

Private DONALD MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 21A Laxay
Son of Donald and Mary Morrison, of 21, Laxay, Stornoway.
13th Royal Inniskillin Fusiliers
Date of death: 27 August 1918
Age of death: 23

Seaman JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 25 Laxay
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Colin MacLeod, of 25, Laxay, Lochs, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMML 411
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 24

SECOND WORLD WAR

Aircraftswoman 2nd class CATHERINE ANN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 19 Laxay
Daughter of John and Marion MacDonald, of Laxay.
Service unit: Women's Auxiliary Air Force
Date of death: 12 August 1945

Corporal JOHN FERGUSON
Last address in Lewis: 30 Laxay
Son of Ewen and Catherine Ferguson, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 10 March 1944
Age at death: 36

Lieutenant DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: Laxay
Son of Donald and Mary A. Maciver, of Glasgow.
5th Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 24 October 1942
Age at death: 25

Lewis casualties of the Second Boer War (1899-1902)

Private J McLeod, 21 Upper Shader
Died on 24 Nov 1899 at Belmont, aged 21
South Africa Field Force, 1st Battalion Scots Guards, no 969

Private J Mckenzie, 5 Laxay
Son of Alexander Mackenzie and Catherine Mackenzie
Died on 18 Feb 1900 at Paardeberg, aged 26
South Africa Field Force, 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, no 4048

Alexander Macaulay, 10 Keose
Son of Angus Macaulay and Christina Smith
Born 8 November 1873
Died in 1901
South Africa Field Force, Seaforth Highlanders

Angus Chisholm, 10 Lemreway
Son of Kenneth Chisholm and Mary Carmichael
Born 1870
Died
South Africa Field Force

Village memorial: Knockaird

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private DONALD MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 3 Knockaird
Son of the late Donald and Henrietta McKenzie.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 25 April 1915
Age of death: 23

Private MURDO MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 3 Knockaird
Son of Henrietta and the late Donald MacKenzie, of 3, Knockaird, Port of Ness, Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 10 May 1917
Age of death: 22

Private DONALD GUNN
Last address in Lewis: 5 Knockaird
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 22 February 1917
Age of death: 23

Private JOHN GUNN
Last address in Lewis: 5 Knockaird
Son of Murdo and Annie Gunn, of 5, Knockaird, Port-of-Ness, Stornoway.
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 9 May 1915
Age of death: 21

Petty Officer ANGUS MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 7 Knockaird
Son of Donald and Jessie Morrison
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Vivid
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 32

Leading Seaman JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 12 Knockaird
Son of Norman and Margaret Morrison, of 12, Knockaird, Ness, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 18

Private DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 16B Knockaird
Son of Donald and Annie Macdonald, of 16B Knockaird, Ness, Stornoway.
2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 5 May 1915
Age of death: 23

SECOND WORLD WAR

Private COLIN GUNN
Last address in Lewis: 5 Knockaird
Son of Murdo and Annie Gunn, of Port of Ness, Stornoway, Scotland.
Australian Infantry, 2/43 Batallion
Date of death: 23 October 1942
Age at death: 43

Seaman NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 8 Knockaird
Son of Kenneth and Catherine MacLeod, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 12 February 1940

Missing in action

Whilst researching one of the soldiers, whose portraits are put up by the Imperial War Museum's Flickr feed, I came across this harrowing letter from the wife / widow of Robert Burns of Edinburgh. Robert had been posted missing on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. That day alone, 60,000 British troops were lost. Robert Burns went missing, and it took until the next May for him to be formally declared dead.

His identity disc was retrieved and forwarded to his wife, Elisabeth. She acknowledged receipt of the disc, but enclosed the following letter.

Sir,

I herewith return paper duly signed in acknowledgemnet of identity disc supposed to belong to my husband, Pte Robert Burns no 18808 16th R.S. I dont wish to seem arbitrary with respect to army authority, I still believe my husband to be living though I have no more authority for saying this than my own private feeling in the matter.

Yours truly
[signed]

Napier Commission in Tiree - evictions

I have now commenced the transcription of the evidence from Tiree, as contained in the Napier Report of 1883. After going through an awful lot of waffle about the relative value deer forests versus sheep farms in the evidence from Inverness, the accounts from Tiree have brought me back down to earth with a jolt. I hand over to Donald Macdonald, Balemartin, Tiree, as he spoke on 7 August 1883 about four evictions being perpetrated in singularly callous and cruel fashion.

1st, Neil M.'Donald, crofter at Mannal, was about thirty-four years ago, for no well-grounded reasons, evicted from his home and farm by the factor, John Campbell, Esq. He had no other home to go to, and was forbidden by the factor to build a house in any part of the island. The factor also threatened with instant eviction any crofter or cottar who might out of pity afford him even one night's shelter from the cold. So his only place of shelter was a small boat turned upside down, with a hole in the centre for a chimney, and some straw laid round the openings to prevent the snow drift from perishing himself and little ones. One neighbour, who out of pity was moved to take and give his one children shelter in his house, was instantly summoned before the factor, and severely reprimanded for being so humane.

2nd, Hector M'Donald, Balamartin (crofter), was some time afterwards evicted in the same manner. Forced to leave his house and home, having no house to go to, every individual crofter and cottar in Tyree were, on the threat of eviction, forbidden to give him even one night's shelter. His wife being nigh her confinement, he for her sought shelter in his sister's house; but the farmer on whose croft the sister's house stood (John Sinclair, Banapool) was instructed by the factor to turn the evicted family out. In the said John Sinclair's cart the wife and family were removed, and the woman, while being driven in the cart, by the way was delivered of a child, as no one would be allowed to shelter her during the time of her delivery.

3rd, Hugh M'Lean, crofter, Mannal. This man, who was blind, was about nineteen years ago disgracefully evicted as the above. Having no house to go to, he was still in his own home. The factor then sent men to strip the roof off that home by means of instruments of iron. He then removed to the barn, in which lay a quantity of grain. The same men were then sent back with orders to strip the barn too; and the poor blind man, with his crippled wife, and no sons to help him, as of the sons he had two were drowned some time before, and his only other son was insane in the asylum, was cruelly turned out and left at the roadside.

4th, Alexander M'Donald, a blind man, was evicted while John Campbell, Esq., was factor of the island, by whose orders men were sent to have this man's house stripped while the poor man was in bed and unable to leave it. He was then removed by some friends to the barn, but the factor ordered the roof to be taken off the
barn too; and thus the sightless man was rendered houseless. And the only reason for evicting this man was simply to give his holding to one of the factor's favourites. The man then became a burden to the parish, and from that time till now his maintenance cost the parish about £600

—I am Gilchrist M'Donald. Since I can remember, my father was a crofter in Balamartin. About nineteen years ago, although being only one year's rent in arrears, he, and a neighbour who was only 50s. in arrears, were evicted. The latter from his own croft. This was done in order to give both the crofts to the factor's servant man, which servant was not a native of the island. Some weeks before the time to leave the house I paid the rent, but on the appointed day (as we were still in the house, not having another to go to) some men—others refused to do it—by order of the factor were sent to the house, and these men by means of an iron bar broke open the door, turned us and all our things there and then out of the house. My father was about sixty years of age, and without the croft was unable to do anything for himself. My mother, who was about the same age, was imbecile, and in that state was carried by them out of bed and laid at the road side. As the factor would not grant me leave to build a small house to shelter them, I had to remove them to Glasgow, which city not agreeing with them, I was obliged to return with them to Tyree again, but the only house I could get was an old kiln belonging to the crofters of Balamartin. The little I got for the stock on the farm was all spent in maintaining us before getting leave from the factor to build a house and had it ready for dwelling in.
—GILCHRIST M'DONALD, Balamartin

Village memorial: Knock, Point

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private JOHN M MUNRO
Last address in Lewis: 2 Knock, Point
Son of Malcolm Munro, of 2, Knock, Stornoway.
1st Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 12 November 1914
Age of death: 19

Sergeant ALEX JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 5 Knock, Point
Son of Alexander and Henrietta MacLeod, of 5, Knock, Lewis, Stornaway.
2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (British Columbia Regiment)
Date of death: 5 November 1918
Age of death: 25

Gunner MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 5 Knock, Point
Mercantile Marine, SS Mereddio
Date of death: 10 January 1918
Age of death: 20

Private ANGUS NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 11 Knock, Point
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Angus Nicolson, of II, Knock Point, Stornoway, Lewis.
1st Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 20 July 1915
Age of death: 18

Seaman ANGUS CRICHTON
Last address in Lewis: 12 Knock, Point
Son of Colin and Jessie Crichton, of 12, Knock Point, Stornoway, Ross-shire; husband of Mary Crichton (nee McLeod).
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Ganges II
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 41

Private JOHN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 13 Knock, Point
Gordon Highlanders
Date of death: 20 September 1915
Age of death: 18

Seaman DONALD CRICHTON
Last address in Lewis: 15 Knock, Point
Son of Alexander and Mary Crichton, of Knock, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 23

Able Seaman WILLIAM MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 16 Knock, Point
Son of Malcolm and Christina Murray, of 16, Knock, Point, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, 2nd Reserve Battallion Royal Naval Division
Date of death: 2 February 1920
Age of death: 22

Private DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 17 Knock, Point
Son of Murdo and Mary Mciver of 17, Knock Point
179th Canadian Infantry
Date of death: 24 May 1920
Age of death: 28

Private MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 17 Knock, Point
Son of John Macleod, of 17, Knock Point, Stornoway, Scotland. Also served in R.N.R.
15th Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)
Date of death: 10 February 1919
Age of death: 28

Seaman ANGUS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 18 Knock, Point
Son of Torquil and Mary Macleod
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 23

Gunner JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 19 Knock, Point
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS President III
Date of death: 2 February 1919
Age of death: 28

Gunner DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 20 Knock, Point
Royal Naval Reserve, SS Glenfrain
Date of death: 30 January 1918
Age of death: 30

Leading Seaman DONALD MACDONALD (Jnr)
Last address in Lewis: 20 Knock, Point
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Date of death: 19 May 1917
Age of death: 23

Leading Seaman KENNETH MUNRO
Last address in Lewis: 21 Knock, Point
Son of John and Mary Munro, of 21, Knock, Point, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Date of death: 3 August 1918
Age of death: 25

Seaman KENNETH MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 23 Knock, Point
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death:

Leading Seaman JOHN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 24 Knock, Point
Son of John and Margaret Mackenzie, of 24, Knock, Point, Garrabost, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Navy, HMS Ganges
Date of death: 26 May 1917
Age of death: 21

Gunner NORMAN MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 28 Knock, Point
Son of Murdo and Christina Martin, of 28, Knock, Point, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Royal Naval Reserve, SS Camellia
Date of death: 8 December 1917
Age of death: 22

SECOND WORLD WAR

Quartermaster COLIN JOHN MUNRO
Last address in Lewis: 6 Knock, Point
Son of John and Margaret Munro.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 24 December 1943
Age at death: 34

Leading Seaman DONALD MUNRO
Last address in Lewis: 6 Knock, Point
Son of John and Margaret Munro, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 7 February 1944
Age at death: 37

Private ALEXANDER MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 22 Knock, Point
Army
Date of death:

Sergeant IAIN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 1 School Park Knock, Point
Son of John and Annie Mackenzie, of Stornoway; nephew of Catherine Mackenzie, of Stornoway.
Royal Canadian Air Force
Date of death: 24 February 1942
Age at death: 26

Leading Seaman MURDO MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 2 School Park Knock, Point
Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 8 October 1940

Village memorial: Knock, Carloway

FIRST WORLD WAR

Private DUNCAN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 5 Knock, Carloway
Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Date of death: 21 November 1915
Age of death: 40

Seaman D MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Knock, Carloway
Son of Duncan and Annie Macleod, of 7, Knock, Carloway, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS President
Date of death: 29 October 1920

Private NORMAN MACARTHUR
Last address in Lewis: 26 Knock, Carloway
1st Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 9 May 1915
Age of death: 22

Private GEORGE MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 30 Knock, Carloway
Son of Rev Malcolm Macdonald, Payton, Saskatchewan, Canada and formerly of 30 Knock, Carloway
1st Canadians, enlisted with 6th Western Cavalry
Date of death: 24 April 1915
Age of death: 21

Lance-Corporal JOHN WILLIAM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 31 Knock, Carloway
Son of Malcolm McLeod, of 31, Knock, Carloway, Stornoway.
5th Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 13 November 1916
Age of death: 20

Seaman NORMAN MACPHAIL
Last address in Lewis: 32B Knock, Carloway
Son of Norman and Ann MacLeod MacPhail, of Doune; husband of Maggie MacPhail, of 32, Knock, Carloway, Stornoway.
Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Venerable
Date of death: 1 January 1919 (Iolaire)
Age of death: 37

SECOND WORLD WAR

Seaman NORMAN MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 4 Knock, Carloway
Son of John and Henrietta Maciver, of Carloway, Isle of Lewis.
Merchant Navy
Date of death: 24 April 1940
Age at death: 27

Seaman JOHN ARCHIE MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 24 Knock, Carloway
Son of Roderick and Christina Macaulay, of Carloway.
Royal Navy
Date of death: 3 September 1941
Age at death: 22

N MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 27 Knock, Carloway
Army
Date of death:

Seaman NORMAN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 30 Knock, Carloway
Son of John and Mary Ann Macdonald, of Carloway, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Navy
Date of death: 6 July 1944
Age at death: 34

Lieutenant DUNCAN IAIN MACPHAIL
Last address in Lewis: Cnoc an Eoin Knock, Carloway
Son of the Revd, John Mackay, M.A., and Mary Mackay , of Glasgow
3rd Madras Regiment, Indian Army
Date of death: 11 July 1943
Age at death: 22

Sergeant (Flight Engineer) ANGUS MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: Registry Knock, Carloway
Son of Norman MacIver and of Louisa MacIver (nee MacLeod), of Knock, Isle of Lewis.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of death: 29 July 1944
Age at death: 22

The Dewar Commission at Stornoway - Nutrition

Dr Murdoch Mackenzie, whose evidence is taken in (among others) page 225 of the Dewar Report, is questioned about the average diet of the crofter. 

10,680. Can you tell us how the crofter lives; can you tell us their menu for the day ?
—Porridge and milk to begin with.

10,681. Have they much milk here ?
—No. From now onwards to the end of spring their supply of milk is very deficient.

10,682. That is because the cows are dry ?
—Yes.

10,683. That could be improved ?
—Yes. There is great difficulty in Lewis in getting milk for the children.

10,684. What do they take?
—They get Swiss condensed milk. It is rather rich in sugar, and it does not make as much bone as the ordinary milk.

10,685. (Dr Mackenzie). Have you much rickets among the children?
—Yes.

10,686. (Chairman). What have they for dinner usually ?
—Salt herring very frequently, and then there is fish and the egg.

10,687. Do they use it very much ?
—In our parish they do.

10,688. The children must be very well nourished in this district?
—Yes.

10,689. That is very much better than some menus we have had on the mainland?
—Yes.

10,690. Do they use butter much ?
—Yes; they buy margarine very much.

10,691. Is that in the rural districts ?
—In the rural districts margarine is very much used.

The Dewar Commission at Stornoway - Reservists

Pages 224 and 225 of the evidence from the Dewar Commission sheds light on the background to the large numbers of Lewismen who were in the Royal Naval Reserve at the time of the First World War. The war broke out less than two years after Sir John Dewar came to Stornoway.

10,676. A good many of them are on Naval Reserve?
——Yes ; there are something like 1800 men on the Naval Reserve. Every man in Lewis is trained man. They are all Militiaman or Reserve man. Every able-bodied man is a trained man.

10,677. They have a considerable income from the Naval Reserve and from the Militia too ?
—Yes, as a retaining fee from the Naval Reserve they get £6, and they have to go every second year on board ship, and they get 10s. a week and subsistence money and travelling expenses. The whole amount coming from the Reserve alone to the island is about £15,000. The whole reserve battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders are Lewis men, and a considerable proportion of the Camerons and the Gordons also.

10,678. Do they bring home £3 to £4 each?
—Yes. In connection with the Naval Reserve, I may mention that at the end of twenty years' service they get a gratuity of £50, when they attain the age of forty years. The average number of gratuities now falling due is a hundred in the year. It will be interesting to you to know that a large number of the improved houses are the result of these gratuities.