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
Wednesday, 31 December 2014
96 years ago tonight
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.
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.
Saturday, 6 December 2014
1 May 1917
On this day, four sailors from Barra, Eriskay and Vatersay were lost in the sinking of SS Bagdale. The steamer was heading from the Clyde to Naples, when she was sunk by U-boat UC-66 off Ushant, Brittany, France, with the loss of 23 lives. UC-66 was lost about six weeks after the sinking of the Bagdale, on 12 June 1917. The story is that she was forced to dive and when she was depth-charged by HMT Sea King, her own mines blew up. Like in the sinking of the Bagdale, 23 lives were lost with UC-66, among them her captain, Herbert Pustkuchen.
Sailor John Macdonald
At the age of 17
Iain Néill Ghréitheir
Son of Neil MacDonald, of No. 14, Cleat, Barra, Oban, Scotland. Born at Barra.
Last known address in Barra: Cleat
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS Bagdale
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Local memorial: Barra & Vatersay
Sailor John Macdougall
At the age of 20
Son of Effie McDougall (nee McInnes), of Coilleac, Eriskay, South Uist, Inverness, and the late Donard McDougall.
Last known address in Eriskay: Eriskay
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS Bagdale
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Local memorial: South Uist
Able Seaman Donald Macneil
At the age of 23
Dòmhnull Iagainn Dhòmhnuill
Son of Angus and Ann McNeil, of The Square, Watersay, Barra, Oban, Scotland.
Last known address in Vatersay:
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS Bagdale
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Local memorial: Barra & Vatersay
Able Seaman Neil Macneil
At the age of 24
Son of D. McNeil, of The Square, Watersay, Barra, Inverness. Born at Barra.
Last known address in Vatersay:
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS Bagdale
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Local memorial: Barra & Vatersay
Sailor John Macdonald
At the age of 17
Iain Néill Ghréitheir
Son of Neil MacDonald, of No. 14, Cleat, Barra, Oban, Scotland. Born at Barra.
Last known address in Barra: Cleat
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS Bagdale
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Local memorial: Barra & Vatersay
Sailor John Macdougall
At the age of 20
Son of Effie McDougall (nee McInnes), of Coilleac, Eriskay, South Uist, Inverness, and the late Donard McDougall.
Last known address in Eriskay: Eriskay
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS Bagdale
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Local memorial: South Uist
Able Seaman Donald Macneil
At the age of 23
Dòmhnull Iagainn Dhòmhnuill
Son of Angus and Ann McNeil, of The Square, Watersay, Barra, Oban, Scotland.
Last known address in Vatersay:
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS Bagdale
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Local memorial: Barra & Vatersay
Able Seaman Neil Macneil
At the age of 24
Son of D. McNeil, of The Square, Watersay, Barra, Inverness. Born at Barra.
Last known address in Vatersay:
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS Bagdale
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Local memorial: Barra & Vatersay
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Centenary of Sacrifice
One hundred years after the day on which they fell, Centenary of Sacrifice will publish the names of those from the Western Isles, from the Butt of Lewis to Vatersay, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of King and Country during the First World War. The project will run by means of scheduled blogposts, and will continue until 1 January 2019, the centenary of the Iolaire Disaster.
Friday, 7 November 2014
Remember, remember, the 11th of November
Armistice Day is nearly upon us, and I feel it is appropriate
to post a reminder of my links that commemorate the Fallen from the
Outer Hebrides in both World Wars.
Centenary of Sacrifice is an on-going project, which will post the names of all the Fallen from these islands on the date, 100 years later, on which they died.
Isle of Lewis
Faces from the Lewis War Memorial
A listing of the casualties from Lewis from WW1.
Lewismen lost in the Great War
A listing of the casualties from Lewis from WW1, including all available information (e.g. images of war graves, transcript of Stornoway Gazette tributes etc).
Roll of Honour, Isle of Lewis 1914-1919
A transcript of Loyal Lewis, Roll of Honour, listing all from the island who served during WW1
Tributes for the War Memorial
A transcript of tributes from the Stornoway Gazette to WW1 casualties from Lewis
Tributes for the War Memorial (WW2)
A transcript of tributes from the Stornoway Gazette to WW2 casualties from Lewis
John Macaulay RNR and SS Kenmare
The story of one WW1 casualty, the ship on which he died and the U-boat that launched the fatal torpedo
Lewismen in Australian service
A listing of those WW1 casualties who served with the Australian forces
Lewismen in Canadian service
A listing of those WW1 casualties from Lewis who served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force
Lewismen from the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
A listing of WW1 casualties from the 2nd battalion Seaforth Highlanders , accompanied by transcripts from the battalion war diary for the day on which they died.
Iolaire Disaster 1919
Listing of all casualties who died in the sinking of HMY Iolaire on New Year's Day 1919
HMS Timbertown
About the internment camp at Groningen, Holland, where 105 Lewismen were interned during WW1
World War II tribute for Lewis
A listing of WW2 casualties from Lewis
Wargraves in Lewis
Photographs of all CWGC and private wargraves in Lewis and information on the casualties
War memorials in Lewis
Photographs of all war memorials in Lewis with transcripts.
Southern Isles
Outer Hebrides losses in the Great War
A listing of military and personal details of the WW1 casualties from Harris, Berneray, North Uist, Grimsay, South Uist, Eriskay and Barra
Berneray to Vatersay tribute
A listing of the WW1 and WW2 casualties from Berneray, North Uist, Grimsay, South Uist, Eriskay and Barra
Harris War Memorial
A listing of the casualties from Harris from WW1 and WW2.
Western Isles wargraves
A listing of all wargraves in the Western Isles, listed by cemetery
Western Isles war memorials
A listing of all war memorials in the Western Isle
Other
Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery
A listing of photographs of wargraves and military information of the casualties, interred at the Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery in Orkney
Centenary of Sacrifice is an on-going project, which will post the names of all the Fallen from these islands on the date, 100 years later, on which they died.
Isle of Lewis
Faces from the Lewis War Memorial
A listing of the casualties from Lewis from WW1.
Lewismen lost in the Great War
A listing of the casualties from Lewis from WW1, including all available information (e.g. images of war graves, transcript of Stornoway Gazette tributes etc).
Roll of Honour, Isle of Lewis 1914-1919
A transcript of Loyal Lewis, Roll of Honour, listing all from the island who served during WW1
Tributes for the War Memorial
A transcript of tributes from the Stornoway Gazette to WW1 casualties from Lewis
Tributes for the War Memorial (WW2)
A transcript of tributes from the Stornoway Gazette to WW2 casualties from Lewis
John Macaulay RNR and SS Kenmare
The story of one WW1 casualty, the ship on which he died and the U-boat that launched the fatal torpedo
Lewismen in Australian service
A listing of those WW1 casualties who served with the Australian forces
Lewismen in Canadian service
A listing of those WW1 casualties from Lewis who served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force
Lewismen from the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
A listing of WW1 casualties from the 2nd battalion Seaforth Highlanders , accompanied by transcripts from the battalion war diary for the day on which they died.
Iolaire Disaster 1919
Listing of all casualties who died in the sinking of HMY Iolaire on New Year's Day 1919
HMS Timbertown
About the internment camp at Groningen, Holland, where 105 Lewismen were interned during WW1
World War II tribute for Lewis
A listing of WW2 casualties from Lewis
Wargraves in Lewis
Photographs of all CWGC and private wargraves in Lewis and information on the casualties
War memorials in Lewis
Photographs of all war memorials in Lewis with transcripts.
Southern Isles
Outer Hebrides losses in the Great War
A listing of military and personal details of the WW1 casualties from Harris, Berneray, North Uist, Grimsay, South Uist, Eriskay and Barra
Berneray to Vatersay tribute
A listing of the WW1 and WW2 casualties from Berneray, North Uist, Grimsay, South Uist, Eriskay and Barra
Harris War Memorial
A listing of the casualties from Harris from WW1 and WW2.
Western Isles wargraves
A listing of all wargraves in the Western Isles, listed by cemetery
Western Isles war memorials
A listing of all war memorials in the Western Isle
Other
Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery
A listing of photographs of wargraves and military information of the casualties, interred at the Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery in Orkney
Tuesday, 30 September 2014
New sites
One of my two sites showing the casualties from the First World War from Lewis has been extensively revamped, and updated with references to the Lewis War Memorial. Faces from the Lewis War Memorial shows this information now. The more detailed listings on Lewismen lost in the Great War do (as yet) not.
A literal transcript of Loyal Lewis Roll of Honour 1914-1918 has been placed on line. This includes transcripts of all the prefaces by the district school head masters, and features on (groups of) military men. The original can be viewed on this link.
A literal transcript of Loyal Lewis Roll of Honour 1914-1918 has been placed on line. This includes transcripts of all the prefaces by the district school head masters, and features on (groups of) military men. The original can be viewed on this link.
Thomas Coull
The war memorial for North Uist at Clachan lists Thomas Coull, Fairfield Works as one of the casualties from the First World War. Although he is referred to as a private, it soon becomes clear that he was a civilian.
The Fairfield Works was a shipyard in Govan, Glasgow. Thomas's death certificate says he was an iron driller at the yard, living at 1269 Govan Road. He was aged 23, the son of James and Sarah-Ann Coull. Thomas died at 11.55pm on 1 June 1915, having suffered from meningitis for eight days. His death was reported by his brother Duncan.
Thomas also had a brother, Frank, who had joined the Royal Engineers. He died in military hospital at Etaples, on the northwestern coast of France, in 1919. Research into Frank Coull yielded the census return for 1901 from which the above information on Thomas was corroborated.
Frank appears in the 1901 census aged 17, a game watcher, the son of James (48) and Sarah Ann (47) and brother of Rhoda (15), William James (13) and Duncan (11) and Thomas (8). That same census also shows that Thomas was born in South Knapdale, an area in the Kintyre peninsula of Argyll. His father was born in Strath (Isle of Skye), and his mother came from Devon.
The Fairfield Works was a shipyard in Govan, Glasgow. Thomas's death certificate says he was an iron driller at the yard, living at 1269 Govan Road. He was aged 23, the son of James and Sarah-Ann Coull. Thomas died at 11.55pm on 1 June 1915, having suffered from meningitis for eight days. His death was reported by his brother Duncan.
Thomas also had a brother, Frank, who had joined the Royal Engineers. He died in military hospital at Etaples, on the northwestern coast of France, in 1919. Research into Frank Coull yielded the census return for 1901 from which the above information on Thomas was corroborated.
Frank appears in the 1901 census aged 17, a game watcher, the son of James (48) and Sarah Ann (47) and brother of Rhoda (15), William James (13) and Duncan (11) and Thomas (8). That same census also shows that Thomas was born in South Knapdale, an area in the Kintyre peninsula of Argyll. His father was born in Strath (Isle of Skye), and his mother came from Devon.
Friday, 1 August 2014
Tipperton, South Uist
During my recent visit to South Uist, I came across a house called Tipperton (Tobar Tiobairt), near the Polochar Inn on the extreme southwestern point of the island. Searching the Internet revealed the Gaelic name, and the story of human remains found in a crouching position nearby. The 2005 hurricane caused severe coastal erosion in the area. Tipperton was the home of James and Margaret Morrison, both now deceased. James died in 1979, aged 85, and is pictured with a bottle of "Politician" whisky in this tweet from Struileag. His wife Margaret followed him out of this world in 1996, aged 93. The Hallan Cemetery website gives further information on the two people that lived at Tipperton.
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
98 years ago today
98 years ago today saw the start of the Battle of the Somme, which was to last into the middle of November 1916. The death toll on both sides exceeded 1 million. Of those that died on the first day of the battle, 25 came from the island of Lewis, and this post remembers them.
Private Malcolm Campbell
Last address in Lewis: 26 Cross
Son of Donald and Catherine Campbell, of Cross
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7308
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 22
Interred: Serre Road Cemetery no 2, grave I. K. 6.
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Private Kenneth Graham
Last address in Lewis: Aird Dell
Son of Catherine Graham, of Aird, South Dell
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7457
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 19
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Private Malcolm Gunn
Last address in Lewis: 15 Eorodale
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7267
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Lance-Corporal Donald Macarthur
Last address in Lewis: 29 Breasclete
Son of Malcolm and Mary Macarthur
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7214
Died of wounds at the age of 19
Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, grave I. H. 28.
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish
Private Allan Macdonald
Last address in Lewis: 18 Habost, Ness
Service unit: Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 7216
Killed in action at the Somme at the age of 19
Interred: Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, Sp Mem A. 8
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Company Sergeant-Major Murdo Macgregor
Last address in Lewis: 12C Tolsta Chaolais
Son of Duncan Macgregor; husband of Marion Macgregor, of 255, Cumberland St., South Side, Glasgow.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 9314
Killed in action on the Somme at Beaumont Hamel at the age of 30
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Tolsta Chaolais
Awarded Recommended for distinguished conduct in the Field, Oct., 1915
Went to France in August 1914, wounded in 1915
Private John Duncan Mackay
Last address in Lewis: 8 Kershader
Son of Duncan and Mary Mackay; family later moved to 3 Caverstay.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/9777
Killed in action at the age of 19
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Park, Kershader; Nicolson Institute WW1, left panel
Was a junior student at the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway before joining up
Private William J Mackay
Last address in Lewis: 20 Adabrock
Son of Catherine MacKay
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7382
Killed in action in France at the age of 19
Interred: Redan Ridge Cemetery no 1, Beaumont-Hamel, grave C.8
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Private Evander Mackenzie
Last address in Lewis: 5 Upper Garrabost
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7455
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 19
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)
Private John Macrae Mackenzie
Last address in Lewis: 26 James Street, Stornoway
Son of Angus and Margaret Macrae MacKenzie
Service unit: 17th Highland Light Infantry, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Battallion
Service number: 15999
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 25
Interred: Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuile, grave III. F. 9.
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, middle panel
Private William Mackenzie
Last address in Lewis: 1A Mid Borve
Son of Kenneth and Ann MacKenzie
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7371
Killed in action at the age of 19
Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, grave I. H. 27
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve
Had previously been wounded
Private Alex Macleod
Last address in Lewis: 30 Lower Garrabost
Son of Angus and Margaret Macleod
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6940
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 23
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)
Lance-Corporal Angus Macleod
Aonghais MhicLeoid - Aonghas, Mac Thormoid Mhic Thormoid Mhoir
Last address in Lewis: 6 North Tolsta
Son of Norman and Christina MacLeod
Service unit: 2nd Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 3/6713
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 24
Local memorial: North Tolsta
Mentioned on family gravestone in the cemetery at North Tolsta
Had been at the front since 1914.
Lance-Corporal John Macleod
Iain, Mac Aonghais Mhic Iain Saighdeir
Last address in Lewis: 20 North Tolsta
Son of Angus and Mary McLeod
Service unit: 2nd Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 3/5601
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 22
Interred: Gordon Cemetery, Mametz, Sp. Mem. B. 53.
Mentioned on family gravestone in the cemetery at North Tolsta
Private John Macleod
Seoinaidh Dhanaidh - Iain, Mac Dhomhnaill Mhic Dhomhnaill Mhic Iain
Last address in Lewis: 1 Hill Street North Tolsta
Son of Donald Macleod
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7478
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 18
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Tolsta
Sergeant John Macleod
Last address in Lewis: 24 Tolsta Chaolais
Brother of K. Macleod, Esq., M.A., Rector, of Fortrose Academy, H. G. P. School, Fortrose, Ross-shire.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/8341
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 24
Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, grave I. H. 30
Local memorial: Tolsta Chaolais
Private Murdo Macleod
Last address in Lewis: 65 Back
Son of Duncan and Annie McLeod
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7191
Killed in action at the age of 21
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Back
Private Alex Morrison
Last address in Lewis: 14 Eorodale
Son of Kenneth and Catherine Morrison
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7429
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 20
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Private John Morrison
Last address in Lewis: 16 Skigersta
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7358
Killed in action in France at the age of 18
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Mentioned on family gravestone in the cemetery at Habost (Ness)
Private Kenneth Smith
Last address in Lewis: 25 Leurbost
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 9079
Killed in action on the Somme
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost
Was wounded twice previously
Private Malcolm Campbell
Last address in Lewis: 26 Cross
Son of Donald and Catherine Campbell, of Cross
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7308
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 22
Interred: Serre Road Cemetery no 2, grave I. K. 6.
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Private Kenneth Graham
Last address in Lewis: Aird Dell
Son of Catherine Graham, of Aird, South Dell
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7457
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 19
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Private Malcolm Gunn
Last address in Lewis: 15 Eorodale
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7267
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Lance-Corporal Donald Macarthur
Last address in Lewis: 29 Breasclete
Son of Malcolm and Mary Macarthur
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7214
Died of wounds at the age of 19
Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, grave I. H. 28.
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish
Private Allan Macdonald
Last address in Lewis: 18 Habost, Ness
Service unit: Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 7216
Killed in action at the Somme at the age of 19
Interred: Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, Sp Mem A. 8
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Company Sergeant-Major Murdo Macgregor
Last address in Lewis: 12C Tolsta Chaolais
Son of Duncan Macgregor; husband of Marion Macgregor, of 255, Cumberland St., South Side, Glasgow.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 9314
Killed in action on the Somme at Beaumont Hamel at the age of 30
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Tolsta Chaolais
Awarded Recommended for distinguished conduct in the Field, Oct., 1915
Went to France in August 1914, wounded in 1915
Private John Duncan Mackay
Last address in Lewis: 8 Kershader
Son of Duncan and Mary Mackay; family later moved to 3 Caverstay.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/9777
Killed in action at the age of 19
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Park, Kershader; Nicolson Institute WW1, left panel
Was a junior student at the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway before joining up
Private William J Mackay
Last address in Lewis: 20 Adabrock
Son of Catherine MacKay
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7382
Killed in action in France at the age of 19
Interred: Redan Ridge Cemetery no 1, Beaumont-Hamel, grave C.8
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Private Evander Mackenzie
Last address in Lewis: 5 Upper Garrabost
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7455
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 19
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)
Private John Macrae Mackenzie
Last address in Lewis: 26 James Street, Stornoway
Son of Angus and Margaret Macrae MacKenzie
Service unit: 17th Highland Light Infantry, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Battallion
Service number: 15999
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 25
Interred: Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuile, grave III. F. 9.
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, middle panel
Private William Mackenzie
Last address in Lewis: 1A Mid Borve
Son of Kenneth and Ann MacKenzie
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7371
Killed in action at the age of 19
Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, grave I. H. 27
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve
Had previously been wounded
Private Alex Macleod
Last address in Lewis: 30 Lower Garrabost
Son of Angus and Margaret Macleod
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6940
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 23
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)
Lance-Corporal Angus Macleod
Aonghais MhicLeoid - Aonghas, Mac Thormoid Mhic Thormoid Mhoir
Last address in Lewis: 6 North Tolsta
Son of Norman and Christina MacLeod
Service unit: 2nd Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 3/6713
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 24
Local memorial: North Tolsta
Mentioned on family gravestone in the cemetery at North Tolsta
Had been at the front since 1914.
Lance-Corporal John Macleod
Iain, Mac Aonghais Mhic Iain Saighdeir
Last address in Lewis: 20 North Tolsta
Son of Angus and Mary McLeod
Service unit: 2nd Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 3/5601
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 22
Interred: Gordon Cemetery, Mametz, Sp. Mem. B. 53.
Mentioned on family gravestone in the cemetery at North Tolsta
Private John Macleod
Seoinaidh Dhanaidh - Iain, Mac Dhomhnaill Mhic Dhomhnaill Mhic Iain
Last address in Lewis: 1 Hill Street North Tolsta
Son of Donald Macleod
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7478
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 18
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Tolsta
Sergeant John Macleod
Last address in Lewis: 24 Tolsta Chaolais
Brother of K. Macleod, Esq., M.A., Rector, of Fortrose Academy, H. G. P. School, Fortrose, Ross-shire.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/8341
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 24
Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, grave I. H. 30
Local memorial: Tolsta Chaolais
Private Murdo Macleod
Last address in Lewis: 65 Back
Son of Duncan and Annie McLeod
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7191
Killed in action at the age of 21
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Back
Private Alex Morrison
Last address in Lewis: 14 Eorodale
Son of Kenneth and Catherine Morrison
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7429
Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 20
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Private John Morrison
Last address in Lewis: 16 Skigersta
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7358
Killed in action in France at the age of 18
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Mentioned on family gravestone in the cemetery at Habost (Ness)
Private Kenneth Smith
Last address in Lewis: 25 Leurbost
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 9079
Killed in action on the Somme
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost
Was wounded twice previously
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Lewis Women in the Great War
Of the more than 6,000 people from the island who served during the First World War, 39 were women - according to the Roll of Honour.
Matron Allena Morrison
76 Keith Street, Stornoway
Daughter of William Morrison
Naval Hospital
Sister Annabella N. Macleod
5 Kershader
Territorial Forces Nursing Service
Awarded Royal Red Cross 1919, mentioned in despatches by Sir Douglas Haig
Went over early
Nurse Annie Buchanan
Marybank
Military Hospital
Awarded Royal Red Cross
Sister Annie Mackay
Knock, Carloway
Red Cross
Served in Egypt, Persian Gulf and India. Was Mrs Burns
Daughter of Murdo Mackenzie
Nurse Barbara Maclean
Uignish, Goathill Road, Stornoway
Writer Annie Rutland
42 Francis Street, Stornoway
Women's Royal Naval Service
Daughter of William Rutland, former Coastguard
Catherine Macaskill
46 Park Carloway
Sons and daughter of John Macaskill
Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps
Nurse Catherine Maciver
11 Laxay
Daughter of John Maciver
Served in military hospital, Wrest Park, Bedford, and afterwards in France in St. John's Brigade Ambulance Hospital. While at Wrest Park Nurse Maciver received a presentation from the staff and a testimonial from the late Lord Lucas for services rendered in getting patients removed when the hospital took fire.
Chrissie Macdonald
21 Newton Street, Stornoway
Women's Legion
Chrissie Macleod
Free Church Manse, Park, Carloway
Daughter of Rev D Macleod
Women's Legion
Nurse Christina Macaulay
3 Keith Street, Stornoway
Daughter of Murdo Macaulay, cooper
Volunteered her services and was sent to Italy, where she worked until Armistice
Christina Macdonald
Habost, Ness
Daughter of John Macdonald, shoemaker
Women's Auxiliary Army Corps
Matron Christina Macleod
16 Portvoller
Daughter of Angus Macleod
Highland Casualty Clearing Station
Medal: Awarded Royal Red Cross, decorated by HM the King
Chauffeuse Jessie A. Macleod
16 Portvoller
Daughter of Angus Macleod
Red Cross
Nurse Christina Montgomery
39 Keith Street
Daughter of Donald Montgomery
D.D.D. C.D. Margaret M. Macleod
77 Kenneth Street
Women's Land Army
Daughters and son of Kenneth Macleod
Nurse Ella Morison
3 Bayhead Street, Stornoway
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Reserve
Son and daughters of J.M. Morison
Emily Smith
2 Maciver’s Buildings, Stornoway
Voluntary Aid Detachment
Daughter of Alexander Smith
Nurse Kate Macgregor
Cairn Dhu, Matheson Road, Stornoway
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Reserve
Daughter of Donald Macgregor, teacher (Lionel, Ness)
Sister Kate A. Macleod
22 Carloway
Daughter of Malcolm Macleod
Canadian Red Cross
Lily Morrison
United Free Church Manse, Knock, Carloway
Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps
Daughter of Rev Neil M. Morrison, United Free Church Manse
Sister Marion Macarthur
12 Plantation Road, Stornoway
Daughter of Norman Macarthur, tailor and clothier
Territorial Force Nursing Service
Served in Scottish General Hospital, Stobhill, Glasgow
Nurse Tina Macarthur
12 Plantation Road, Stornoway
Daughter of Norman Macarthur, tailor and clothier
Northumberland War Hospital, Gosforth
Marion Mackenzie
Doune Cottage, Dun Carloway
Daughter of Alex Mackenzie
Women's Legion
Nurse Mary Graham
47 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Writer Mary Maciver
20 Newton Street, Stornoway
Daughter of William Maciver
Women's Royal Naval Service
Writer Mary Smith
4 Maciver’s Buildings, Stornoway
Women's Royal Naval Service
Matron Mary A. Macrae
Barvas Lodge, Church Street, Stornoway
Daughter of Dr Charles M. Macrae
Military Hospital, Harrogate
Nurse C. M. Macrae
Barvas Lodge, Church Street, Stornoway
Daughter of Dr Charles M. Macrae
Military Hospital
Sister Mary B. Martin
72 Murray’s Court, Stornoway
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Reserve
Mentioned in General Milne's despatch from Salonica, dated 25th April, 1917. "for distinguished services during the last six months." Afterwards awarded the Royal Red Cross Decoration (2nd Class).
Clerkess Peggie Macleod
27 Laxay
Daughter of John Macleod
Women's Auxiliary Army Corps
Rachel Morrison
23 North Dell
Women's Auxiliary Army Corps
Susan Craig
45 Bayhead Street, Stornoway
Daughter of Allan Craig
Women's Royal Air Force
Tottie Russell
Mount Pleasant, Matheson Road, Stornoway
Voluntary Aid Detachment
Nurse Winifred Matheson
Lews Castle, Stornoway
Military Hospital
Awarded 1914 Star
Matron Allena Morrison
76 Keith Street, Stornoway
Daughter of William Morrison
Naval Hospital
Sister Annabella N. Macleod
5 Kershader
Territorial Forces Nursing Service
Awarded Royal Red Cross 1919, mentioned in despatches by Sir Douglas Haig
Went over early
Nurse Annie Buchanan
Marybank
Military Hospital
Awarded Royal Red Cross
Sister Annie Mackay
Knock, Carloway
Red Cross
Served in Egypt, Persian Gulf and India. Was Mrs Burns
Daughter of Murdo Mackenzie
Nurse Barbara Maclean
Uignish, Goathill Road, Stornoway
Writer Annie Rutland
42 Francis Street, Stornoway
Women's Royal Naval Service
Daughter of William Rutland, former Coastguard
Catherine Macaskill
46 Park Carloway
Sons and daughter of John Macaskill
Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps
Nurse Catherine Maciver
11 Laxay
Daughter of John Maciver
Served in military hospital, Wrest Park, Bedford, and afterwards in France in St. John's Brigade Ambulance Hospital. While at Wrest Park Nurse Maciver received a presentation from the staff and a testimonial from the late Lord Lucas for services rendered in getting patients removed when the hospital took fire.
Chrissie Macdonald
21 Newton Street, Stornoway
Women's Legion
Chrissie Macleod
Free Church Manse, Park, Carloway
Daughter of Rev D Macleod
Women's Legion
Nurse Christina Macaulay
3 Keith Street, Stornoway
Daughter of Murdo Macaulay, cooper
Volunteered her services and was sent to Italy, where she worked until Armistice
Christina Macdonald
Habost, Ness
Daughter of John Macdonald, shoemaker
Women's Auxiliary Army Corps
Matron Christina Macleod
16 Portvoller
Daughter of Angus Macleod
Highland Casualty Clearing Station
Medal: Awarded Royal Red Cross, decorated by HM the King
Chauffeuse Jessie A. Macleod
16 Portvoller
Daughter of Angus Macleod
Red Cross
Nurse Christina Montgomery
39 Keith Street
Daughter of Donald Montgomery
D.D.D. C.D. Margaret M. Macleod
77 Kenneth Street
Women's Land Army
Daughters and son of Kenneth Macleod
Nurse Ella Morison
3 Bayhead Street, Stornoway
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Reserve
Son and daughters of J.M. Morison
Emily Smith
2 Maciver’s Buildings, Stornoway
Voluntary Aid Detachment
Daughter of Alexander Smith
Nurse Kate Macgregor
Cairn Dhu, Matheson Road, Stornoway
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Reserve
Daughter of Donald Macgregor, teacher (Lionel, Ness)
Sister Kate A. Macleod
22 Carloway
Daughter of Malcolm Macleod
Canadian Red Cross
Lily Morrison
United Free Church Manse, Knock, Carloway
Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps
Daughter of Rev Neil M. Morrison, United Free Church Manse
Sister Marion Macarthur
12 Plantation Road, Stornoway
Daughter of Norman Macarthur, tailor and clothier
Territorial Force Nursing Service
Served in Scottish General Hospital, Stobhill, Glasgow
Nurse Tina Macarthur
12 Plantation Road, Stornoway
Daughter of Norman Macarthur, tailor and clothier
Northumberland War Hospital, Gosforth
Marion Mackenzie
Doune Cottage, Dun Carloway
Daughter of Alex Mackenzie
Women's Legion
Nurse Mary Graham
47 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Writer Mary Maciver
20 Newton Street, Stornoway
Daughter of William Maciver
Women's Royal Naval Service
Writer Mary Smith
4 Maciver’s Buildings, Stornoway
Women's Royal Naval Service
Matron Mary A. Macrae
Barvas Lodge, Church Street, Stornoway
Daughter of Dr Charles M. Macrae
Military Hospital, Harrogate
Nurse C. M. Macrae
Barvas Lodge, Church Street, Stornoway
Daughter of Dr Charles M. Macrae
Military Hospital
Sister Mary B. Martin
72 Murray’s Court, Stornoway
Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Reserve
Mentioned in General Milne's despatch from Salonica, dated 25th April, 1917. "for distinguished services during the last six months." Afterwards awarded the Royal Red Cross Decoration (2nd Class).
Clerkess Peggie Macleod
27 Laxay
Daughter of John Macleod
Women's Auxiliary Army Corps
Rachel Morrison
23 North Dell
Women's Auxiliary Army Corps
Susan Craig
45 Bayhead Street, Stornoway
Daughter of Allan Craig
Women's Royal Air Force
Tottie Russell
Mount Pleasant, Matheson Road, Stornoway
Voluntary Aid Detachment
Nurse Winifred Matheson
Lews Castle, Stornoway
Military Hospital
Awarded 1914 Star
X-ray Operator Helen Macdougall
37 Lionel
37 Lionel
Scottish Women's Hospital, Serbia
Jessie Macleod
60 South Bragar
60 South Bragar
No regiment listed
Nurse Nellie Maccallum
29 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
29 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Territorial Force Nursing Service
Daughter of Neil Maccallum
Daughter of Neil Maccallum
Friday, 4 April 2014
Coll or Callanish?
Private DONALD MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 7 Coll
Son of Murdo and Isabella Maclean
Service unit: Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 22 May 1916 at the age of 21
Died after 1½ years suffering of phthisis
Local memorial: Back
His brothers Kenneth and Murdo served in the RNR, but survived the war.
Please note
Donald Maclean's date of death on the Back War Memorial is quoted as January 1916. However, his death certificate states that he died on 22 May 1916, aged 21, of phthisis of which he had suffered for 18 months. No reference to any military service could be found.
Donald Maclean, 21 Callanish, died on 7 January 1916 in Mesopotamia. The entry on CWGC refers to Donald being the son of Finlay Maclean, which tallies with the information from the Roll of Honour, which lists an identical date of death, although it erroneously lists his location of death as La Bassee.
Private DONALD MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 21 Callanish,
Son of Finlay and Annie Maclean.
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7031
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 7 January 1916 at the age of 22
Killed in action at Persian Gulf
Memorial: Basra Memorial, Iraq, Panel 37 and 64
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish
Saturday, 15 March 2014
A Stornoway WW1 casualty: Ernest L. Gillanders
Private ERNEST LEWIS GILLANDERS
Last address in Lewis: 34 Francis Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 1st Scots Guards
Service number: 14042
Enlisted at Dundee
Date of death: 11 October 1918
Interred: Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny, grave I. F. 23
Ernest is shown in the 1891 census at 34 Francis Street, Stornoway, aged 1, the son of William and Jemima Gillanders, and brother of Wm Mackay (9), Rose (6), MacKenzie (3) and Everard Francis (1). His father William (41) was born at Nigg, and was an Acct & District Comlter Clerk [Accountant]. His mother Jemima (34, nee Mackenzie) was born at Stornoway. The couple are shown, without children, in the 1881 census at 18 Francis Street. They were married at Helensburgh on 24 March 1881, just ten days before the 1881 census.
Ernest Lewis was one of twins, the other being Everard Francis. They were born at 10.20 am at 18 Francis Street on 4 November 1889. Their father reported the birth on 26 November.
Last address in Lewis: 34 Francis Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 1st Scots Guards
Service number: 14042
Enlisted at Dundee
Date of death: 11 October 1918
Interred: Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny, grave I. F. 23
Ernest is shown in the 1891 census at 34 Francis Street, Stornoway, aged 1, the son of William and Jemima Gillanders, and brother of Wm Mackay (9), Rose (6), MacKenzie (3) and Everard Francis (1). His father William (41) was born at Nigg, and was an Acct & District Comlter Clerk [Accountant]. His mother Jemima (34, nee Mackenzie) was born at Stornoway. The couple are shown, without children, in the 1881 census at 18 Francis Street. They were married at Helensburgh on 24 March 1881, just ten days before the 1881 census.
Ernest Lewis was one of twins, the other being Everard Francis. They were born at 10.20 am at 18 Francis Street on 4 November 1889. Their father reported the birth on 26 November.
Thursday, 13 March 2014
A Stornoway WW1 casualty, Frederick Charles
Private FREDERICK CHARLES
Last address in Lewis: 32 Keith Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 4th Royal Irish Fusiliers
Service number: 18635
Date of death: 9 September 1915 at the age of 45
Died of drowning in the River Clyde
Interred: Glasgow Eastern Necropolis, grave 12. 2057.
Frederick Charles was born at 32 Keith Street on 28 August 1869 at 5 am. He was the son of Frederick Charles, seaman, and Margaret nee Macleod; they were married on 11 March 1864 at Stornoway. Margaret's mother Margaret Macleod reported the birth at the Stornoway registry office on 10 September 1869. She affirmed the registration with a cross in the register.
Frederick is shown in the 1881 census of Stornoway, aged 11, living at 32 Keith Street, Back Court. He is a scholar, the son of Margaret (32) and Frederick (a seaman, not present at census time) and brother of Johanna (13).
In 1891, Frederick appears in the census at 6 Blackburn Street, Govan, Glasgow, aged 21. He is a baker, living with his mother Margaret (46) and siblings Johanna (23) and Donald (14).
By 1901, Frederick (31) is married to Isabella Charles (27), and has a baby son, Kenneth, aged 9 months. They live at 136 Nelson Street, Govan; Frederick is a journeyman baker.
At 8 o'clock in the morning of 9th September 1915, Frederick drowned in the River Clyde opposite berth no 12, Broomielaw, Glasgow. He is quoted as living at 89 Oran Street. It is mentioned he was a private in the 4th Royal Irish Fusiliers. At the time of his death, both his parents were deceased.
Last address in Lewis: 32 Keith Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 4th Royal Irish Fusiliers
Service number: 18635
Date of death: 9 September 1915 at the age of 45
Died of drowning in the River Clyde
Interred: Glasgow Eastern Necropolis, grave 12. 2057.
Frederick Charles was born at 32 Keith Street on 28 August 1869 at 5 am. He was the son of Frederick Charles, seaman, and Margaret nee Macleod; they were married on 11 March 1864 at Stornoway. Margaret's mother Margaret Macleod reported the birth at the Stornoway registry office on 10 September 1869. She affirmed the registration with a cross in the register.
Frederick is shown in the 1881 census of Stornoway, aged 11, living at 32 Keith Street, Back Court. He is a scholar, the son of Margaret (32) and Frederick (a seaman, not present at census time) and brother of Johanna (13).
In 1891, Frederick appears in the census at 6 Blackburn Street, Govan, Glasgow, aged 21. He is a baker, living with his mother Margaret (46) and siblings Johanna (23) and Donald (14).
By 1901, Frederick (31) is married to Isabella Charles (27), and has a baby son, Kenneth, aged 9 months. They live at 136 Nelson Street, Govan; Frederick is a journeyman baker.
At 8 o'clock in the morning of 9th September 1915, Frederick drowned in the River Clyde opposite berth no 12, Broomielaw, Glasgow. He is quoted as living at 89 Oran Street. It is mentioned he was a private in the 4th Royal Irish Fusiliers. At the time of his death, both his parents were deceased.
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
The missing link
Searching for the keyword Stornoway on the military databases on Ancestry has yielded 445 names, and checking name #2 immediately presented a puzzle.
Robert Bruce, 9th Highland Light Infantry 330122, was killed in action on 20 May 1917 at the age of 22. His place of birth is quoted as Stornoway, Caithness. That is already an oddity, as Stornoway used to be in Ross-shire. Looking at the census returns from 1901, I find a Robert Simon Bruce, aged 6, who lives at 34 Bayhead Street, Stornoway, living with his parents John and Jessie (aged 60 and 50 respectively) and several siblings.
However, the military records do not show any confirmed connection with Stornoway. The service returns, showing warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men, only say that this man came from Scotland.
So, although the evidence is strong, it is not strong enough for Robert Bruce, 330122 HLI, to be included in the listings for the Isle of Lewis.
Robert Bruce, 9th Highland Light Infantry 330122, was killed in action on 20 May 1917 at the age of 22. His place of birth is quoted as Stornoway, Caithness. That is already an oddity, as Stornoway used to be in Ross-shire. Looking at the census returns from 1901, I find a Robert Simon Bruce, aged 6, who lives at 34 Bayhead Street, Stornoway, living with his parents John and Jessie (aged 60 and 50 respectively) and several siblings.
However, the military records do not show any confirmed connection with Stornoway. The service returns, showing warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men, only say that this man came from Scotland.
So, although the evidence is strong, it is not strong enough for Robert Bruce, 330122 HLI, to be included in the listings for the Isle of Lewis.
Additions to listings
Further research has unearthed about a dozen names of men lost in WW1 who had connections to Lewis, but not listed as such. The determining factor is whether they were born there, or their parents came from the island, or mentioned on a local memorial.
Serjeant WALTER ARMSTRONG BRUCE
Last address in Lewis: Knockiandue Schoolhouse, Keose
Son of William and Agnes E (nee Armstrong)
Born at Langwell, Caithness
Service unit: 5th Black Watch
Service number: 2063
Enlisted at Montrose
Date of birth: 11 March 1889
Date of death: 19 June 1915
Killed in action
Interred: Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, grave D. 40.
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay
Lance Corporal HECTOR MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 34 Point Street, Stornoway
Son of Simon and Wilhelmina Mckenzie of "Glentin", Derby St, Kogarah, NSW, Australia. Born in Stornoway
Service unit: 1st Australian Infantry
Service number: 341
Date of death: 10 May 1915 at the age of 30
Killed in action at Gallipoli
Memorial: Lone Pine memorial, panel 13
Private ANGUS MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 7 Calbost
Son of Kenneth and Ann Mackay (nee Maclean),
Husband of Jessie Mackay of Inver Inn, Fearn, Ross-shire
Service unit: 12th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Service number: S/16380
Date of death: 9 August 1918 at the age of 35
Interred: Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, grave 1126
Private MALCOLM MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 18 Laxay
Son of John and Catherine Macdonald
Service unit: 16th Canadian Infantry
Service number: 21742
Date of birth: 14 August 1882
Date of death: 9 July 1921 at the age of 38
Interred: Winnipeg (Brookside) Cemetery, grave Mil. 337
Sapper ALEXANDER MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 35 Eoropie
Son of John and Anne Morrison
Husband of Minnie Gertrude Morrison of 55A Upcerne Road, Chelsea, London
Service unit: 2 Coy, Royal Engineers
Service number: 327066
Date of death: 22 February 1919 at the age of 46
Interred: Wandsworth (Earlsfield) Cemetery, Screen Wall B. 20. 371.
Private MURDO MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 29 Laxay
Son of Malcolm and Mary (nee Morrison) of Laxay
Service unit: Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 29466 transferred to 375320 Labour Corps
Date of birth: 2 July 1889
Date of death: 10 March 1921 at the age of 32
Interred: Inverness (Tomnahurich) Cemetery, grave 6.3.4.
Deckhand NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 22 Ranish,
Son of Alexander and Catherine Macleod
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, Armed Fishing Vessel Egret
Service number: 14988DA
Date of death: 1 June 1918 at the age of 20
Ship sunk by U-boat near Humber LV
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 30
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost
Serjeant WALTER ARMSTRONG BRUCE
Last address in Lewis: Knockiandue Schoolhouse, Keose
Son of William and Agnes E (nee Armstrong)
Born at Langwell, Caithness
Service unit: 5th Black Watch
Service number: 2063
Enlisted at Montrose
Date of birth: 11 March 1889
Date of death: 19 June 1915
Killed in action
Interred: Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, grave D. 40.
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay
Lance Corporal HECTOR MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 34 Point Street, Stornoway
Son of Simon and Wilhelmina Mckenzie of "Glentin", Derby St, Kogarah, NSW, Australia. Born in Stornoway
Service unit: 1st Australian Infantry
Service number: 341
Date of death: 10 May 1915 at the age of 30
Killed in action at Gallipoli
Memorial: Lone Pine memorial, panel 13
Private ANGUS MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 7 Calbost
Son of Kenneth and Ann Mackay (nee Maclean),
Husband of Jessie Mackay of Inver Inn, Fearn, Ross-shire
Service unit: 12th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Service number: S/16380
Date of death: 9 August 1918 at the age of 35
Interred: Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, grave 1126
Private MALCOLM MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 18 Laxay
Son of John and Catherine Macdonald
Service unit: 16th Canadian Infantry
Service number: 21742
Date of birth: 14 August 1882
Date of death: 9 July 1921 at the age of 38
Interred: Winnipeg (Brookside) Cemetery, grave Mil. 337
Sapper ALEXANDER MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 35 Eoropie
Son of John and Anne Morrison
Husband of Minnie Gertrude Morrison of 55A Upcerne Road, Chelsea, London
Service unit: 2 Coy, Royal Engineers
Service number: 327066
Date of death: 22 February 1919 at the age of 46
Interred: Wandsworth (Earlsfield) Cemetery, Screen Wall B. 20. 371.
Private MURDO MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 29 Laxay
Son of Malcolm and Mary (nee Morrison) of Laxay
Service unit: Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 29466 transferred to 375320 Labour Corps
Date of birth: 2 July 1889
Date of death: 10 March 1921 at the age of 32
Interred: Inverness (Tomnahurich) Cemetery, grave 6.3.4.
Deckhand NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 22 Ranish,
Son of Alexander and Catherine Macleod
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, Armed Fishing Vessel Egret
Service number: 14988DA
Date of death: 1 June 1918 at the age of 20
Ship sunk by U-boat near Humber LV
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 30
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost
Saturday, 8 February 2014
Additions to listings
As I was checking the CWGC website for casualty listings which included to word "stornoway", I came across at least three names of men who had connections to the town, or to the island. The search also yielded results that had no connections to the Isle of Lewis; four lived on Stornoway Road in Southend-on-Sea in Essex; one came from Stornoway in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Captain REGINALD FOWLER GREENHILL
Only son of Mrs. and the late Dr. S. F. Greenhill, of 9, Bank St., Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Last address in Lewis: 9 Bank Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 15th Lancashire Fusiliers
Date of death: 1 January 1918 at the age of 22
Interred: Wimereux Communal Cemetery, grave IV. I. 3
Private JOHN FORREST
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of Mr. A. M. Forrest, of Beach House, South Beach St., Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Scots Guards
Service number: 9892
Born at Montrose
Enlisted at Paisley
Date of death: 28 September 1915
Died of wounds
Interred: Noeux-les-Mines Communal cemetery, grave I. D. 28.
Private DONALD DRUMMOND
Last address in Lewis: Garrabost
Son of the late Alexander and Jemima Drummond, of Garrabost, Stornoway.
Service unit: 7th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/12696
Date of death: 10 November 1916 at the age of 23
Died of wounds
Interred: Warrington Cemetery, grave C. NC. 717
Captain REGINALD FOWLER GREENHILL
Only son of Mrs. and the late Dr. S. F. Greenhill, of 9, Bank St., Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Last address in Lewis: 9 Bank Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 15th Lancashire Fusiliers
Date of death: 1 January 1918 at the age of 22
Interred: Wimereux Communal Cemetery, grave IV. I. 3
Private JOHN FORREST
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of Mr. A. M. Forrest, of Beach House, South Beach St., Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Scots Guards
Service number: 9892
Born at Montrose
Enlisted at Paisley
Date of death: 28 September 1915
Died of wounds
Interred: Noeux-les-Mines Communal cemetery, grave I. D. 28.
Private DONALD DRUMMOND
Last address in Lewis: Garrabost
Son of the late Alexander and Jemima Drummond, of Garrabost, Stornoway.
Service unit: 7th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/12696
Date of death: 10 November 1916 at the age of 23
Died of wounds
Interred: Warrington Cemetery, grave C. NC. 717
Archibald Macphee - to be brought in from the cold
A couple of years ago, I managed to have private Norman Morrison, late of South Dell, and private Finlay Maclean, late of Sandwick, "in from the cold". That means that they were awarded Commonwealth War Dead status.
In recent months, I have focused on compiling a listing of Great War casualties from the Southern Isles. This comprises the islands of Harris, Berneray, North Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra and Vatersay. One of the casualties, Archibald Macphee, was found to be a potential candidate for Commonwealth War Dead status as well. The proces is lengthy, and I'll update as developments occur.
Private ARCHIBALD MACPHEE
Last known address in South Uist: Garryhillie
Son of John and Mary Macphee
Service unit: 3rd Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 3/5553
Date of death: 10 February 1917 at the age of 23
Died at home of illness
Local memorial: South Uist
Pte Macphee died of TB, which he contracted whilst on service. He was repatriated in order to be treated for trench foot. I am indebted to a relative for highlighting this man.
In recent months, I have focused on compiling a listing of Great War casualties from the Southern Isles. This comprises the islands of Harris, Berneray, North Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra and Vatersay. One of the casualties, Archibald Macphee, was found to be a potential candidate for Commonwealth War Dead status as well. The proces is lengthy, and I'll update as developments occur.
Private ARCHIBALD MACPHEE
Last known address in South Uist: Garryhillie
Son of John and Mary Macphee
Service unit: 3rd Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 3/5553
Date of death: 10 February 1917 at the age of 23
Died at home of illness
Local memorial: South Uist
Pte Macphee died of TB, which he contracted whilst on service. He was repatriated in order to be treated for trench foot. I am indebted to a relative for highlighting this man.
The Great War in Lewis - some figures
Late last year, I completed the bulk of the work on Lewismen lost in the Great War. Using the tag-function of the Blogger platform, I was able to gather the following statistics.
NAMES
Most common first names:
Donald: 242
John: 262
Murdo: 125
Angus: 100
Malcolm: 94
Most common second names:
Macleod: 265
Macdonald: 157
Mackenzie: 87
Morrison: 71
Maciver: 66
VILLAGES
(number of casualties per village)
Point
Aignish: 16
Aird: Point(13
Bayble: 56
Broker: 4
Flesherin: 7
Garrabost: 28
Knock: Point: 18
Portnaguran: 13
Portvoller: 11
Sheshader: 19
Shulishader: 9
Swordale: 12
Stornoway
Benside: 14
Branahuie: 3
Coulregrein: 6
Guershader: 2
Holm: 5
Laxdale: 3
Melbost: 4
Newvalley: 8
Sandwick: 15
Stenish: 7
Stornoway: 145
Back & Tolsta
Aird Tong: 14
Back: 30
Coll: 26
Gress: 1
North Tolsta: 52
Tong: 9
Vatisker: 13
Ness
Adabrock: 7
Aird Dell: 3
Cross: 8
Eorodale: 9
Eoropie: 9
Fivepenny: 13
Habost: 22
Knockaird: 7
Lionel: 17
North Dell: 6
Port of Ness(4
Skigersta: 6
South Dell: 23
Swainbost: 16
West Side
Arnol: 20
Ballantrushal: 15
Barvas: 20
Borve: 19
Bragar: 32
Brue: 12
Shader: 31
Shawbost: 39
Uig
Aird Uig: 3
Borrowston: 3
Breasclete: 21
Brenish: 7
Callanish: 19
Carishader: 2
Carloway: 38
Crowlista: 9
Enaclete: 1
Garenin: 11
Geshader: 2
Islivig: 2
Kinlochroag: 1
Kirivick: 9
Kneep: 4
Mangersta: 2
Tolsta Chaolais: 14
Uigen: 2
Valtos: 10
Great Bernera
Breaclet: 4
Croir: 2
Crulivig: 3
Earshader: 1
Kirkibost: 6
Lundale: 5
Hacklet: 3
Lochs
Achmore: 7
Arivruaich: 4
Balallan: 19
Calbost: 7
Caversta: 2
Cromore: 4
Crossbost: 13
Garyvard: 2
Gravir: 11
Grimshader: 3
Habost: 6
Keose: 2
Kershader: 5
Laxay: 8
Lemreway: 6
Leurbost: 30
Marvig: 4
Orinsay: 1
Ranish: 29
YEARS
1914: 77
1915: 227
1916: 230
1917: 251
1918: 215
1919: 217
1920: 11
1921: 2
Iolaire, 1 January 1919: 178 (Lewismen only)
Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916: 21
Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916: 33
Military units
Royal Naval Reserve: 435
Seaforth Highlanders: 309
Canadians: 139
Cameron Highlanders: 88
Gordon Highlanders: 78
Merchant Navy: 46
NAMES
Most common first names:
Donald: 242
John: 262
Murdo: 125
Angus: 100
Malcolm: 94
Most common second names:
Macleod: 265
Macdonald: 157
Mackenzie: 87
Morrison: 71
Maciver: 66
VILLAGES
(number of casualties per village)
Point
Aignish: 16
Aird: Point(13
Bayble: 56
Broker: 4
Flesherin: 7
Garrabost: 28
Knock: Point: 18
Portnaguran: 13
Portvoller: 11
Sheshader: 19
Shulishader: 9
Swordale: 12
Stornoway
Benside: 14
Branahuie: 3
Coulregrein: 6
Guershader: 2
Holm: 5
Laxdale: 3
Melbost: 4
Newvalley: 8
Sandwick: 15
Stenish: 7
Stornoway: 145
Back & Tolsta
Aird Tong: 14
Back: 30
Coll: 26
Gress: 1
North Tolsta: 52
Tong: 9
Vatisker: 13
Ness
Adabrock: 7
Aird Dell: 3
Cross: 8
Eorodale: 9
Eoropie: 9
Fivepenny: 13
Habost: 22
Knockaird: 7
Lionel: 17
North Dell: 6
Port of Ness(4
Skigersta: 6
South Dell: 23
Swainbost: 16
West Side
Arnol: 20
Ballantrushal: 15
Barvas: 20
Borve: 19
Bragar: 32
Brue: 12
Shader: 31
Shawbost: 39
Uig
Aird Uig: 3
Borrowston: 3
Breasclete: 21
Brenish: 7
Callanish: 19
Carishader: 2
Carloway: 38
Crowlista: 9
Enaclete: 1
Garenin: 11
Geshader: 2
Islivig: 2
Kinlochroag: 1
Kirivick: 9
Kneep: 4
Mangersta: 2
Tolsta Chaolais: 14
Uigen: 2
Valtos: 10
Great Bernera
Breaclet: 4
Croir: 2
Crulivig: 3
Earshader: 1
Kirkibost: 6
Lundale: 5
Hacklet: 3
Lochs
Achmore: 7
Arivruaich: 4
Balallan: 19
Calbost: 7
Caversta: 2
Cromore: 4
Crossbost: 13
Garyvard: 2
Gravir: 11
Grimshader: 3
Habost: 6
Keose: 2
Kershader: 5
Laxay: 8
Lemreway: 6
Leurbost: 30
Marvig: 4
Orinsay: 1
Ranish: 29
YEARS
1914: 77
1915: 227
1916: 230
1917: 251
1918: 215
1919: 217
1920: 11
1921: 2
Iolaire, 1 January 1919: 178 (Lewismen only)
Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916: 21
Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916: 33
Military units
Royal Naval Reserve: 435
Seaforth Highlanders: 309
Canadians: 139
Cameron Highlanders: 88
Gordon Highlanders: 78
Merchant Navy: 46
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
The Iolaire Story
This is the full story, as told in five parts between 7.30pm on December 31st and 9.10 am on January 1st.
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.
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.
Conditions in the Minch are now poor, and all on board Iolaire are glad that the journey is nearly over. The passengers, most of them familiar with the passage to Stornoway, are snoozing their way, lulled to slumber by the steady if roughish motion of the waves that Iolaire rides. The captain goes down below to rest, his second-in-command takes over on the bridge. A fishing boat is also on its way home to Stornoway, and is running a broadly parallel course to Iolaire.
The passengers can now see the lights of Stornoway ahead, as well as the familiar signal of the Arnish Lighthouse and its secondary beacon. All begin to stir and start to prepare for disembarkation, which is now only about a quarter of or half an hour away. But all is not well. The sound of waves striking shore becomes audible over the noise of wind and swell.
The next noise is a far greater one. Iolaire changes course abruptly, as the crew realise they have overshot the harbour entrance. But it is too late. At 1.55 am, the ship comes to a crashing halt on the rocks of the Beasts of Holm.
Iolaire was mortally damaged by her grounding, and would eventually slip from the rocks and sink into the depths beside the Beasts of Holm. Only her mast would be left showing above the waves.
Flares were let off, which were spotted by the fishing boat and the Sheila, which were running into Stornoway behind Iolaire. Conditions, however, were too severe for any direct help to be offered by any vessel, as they would place themselves into severe danger. One intrepid man managed to bring a hawser ashore, which was to become a literal lifeline for nearly four dozen souls. Others attempted to use the lifeboats, which were almost immediately swamped by the heavy swell, or smashed on the rocks nearby. For Iolaire only grounded about 50 yards from shore. Those who jumped into the sea drowned almost at once, or were smashed onto the rocks, left lifeless. A life-saving apparatus, a breeches' buoy, which had been brought from Stornoway, came way too late to be useful.
Some of those that survived made their way to Stoneyfield Farm, about half a mile from the scene of Iolaire's sinking, and their terrible news was relayed to Stornoway. The flares had been spotted from the town, but had been (mis)taken for celebratory rockets.
The houses waited. The stew over the fire, the teapot on the stove. The clothes on the bed, and the made up table. The families, friends and other islanders waited. Then news filtered through into, and from Stornoway. The Iolaire was lost. Several dozen had been saved. But so many more were not. A night of terrifying uncertainty drew on. Would he be among the saved?
It is early January, and daylight is still many hours away.
It is just after 9 o'clock, and the sun rises over the mountains of mainland Scotland. Its light sweeps west, and shows up a ship's mast protruding from the sea, only a few dozen yards from the shore of Holm Point. The figure of a man can be made out, as he holds on for dear life. As he has done for nigh upon seven hours. Others had been with him, but their strength had given out, and had fallen into the sea below. The man is saved from his precarious position. He had been one of about three hundred on board Iolaire who had left Kyle the evening before, expecting to arrive in Stornoway at 2 am. Instead, two hundred would never return home, and some sixty would never be retrieved.
A gruesome sight presented itself on the shores, beaches and rocky outcrops of eastern Lewis, around the bay of Stornoway. East to Knock, north to Sandwick and Stornoway, south to Grimshader. One hundred and forty bobbed on the tide, lost in the Iolaire. Those that could be retrieved were taken to the naval base at the Battery in Stornoway, to be identified and collected by family.
Those who had not yet had news of the tragedy would soon receive it, as elders of the church went round, the bearers of the news of loss. A brother, a father. An uncle, a nephew. A son, a cousin. No village was spared. No family who was not directly or indirectly affected. The stories abound, but are not readily told.
It is 2014, and dawn has broken on a new year. Five years ago, several hundred gathered at the little memorial at Holm Point to remember. It was a beautiful mild winter's day, with not a breath of wind. We looked south, across the Minch, where the jagged humps of the Shiants, the distant lines of Skye, and on a day of exceptional clarity, even the hills behind Kyle can be made out, 75 miles away. In this day and age, a short journey. In 1919, a journey that was never completed by two hundred and five souls.
Rest in peace.
A full listing of names can be found here
Postscript
The exact cause for the foundering of HMY Iolaire has never been fully cleared up, and theories abound. There are accusations of a cover-up by the Royal Navy, drunkenness on the part of the crew, and speculation on the factors played by the weather. It is not the object of this blog to apportion blame, or determine the exact cause for the tragedy. This is a tribute to the two hundred and five who perished at the Beasts of Holm that New Year's night in 1919.
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.
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.
Conditions in the Minch are now poor, and all on board Iolaire are glad that the journey is nearly over. The passengers, most of them familiar with the passage to Stornoway, are snoozing their way, lulled to slumber by the steady if roughish motion of the waves that Iolaire rides. The captain goes down below to rest, his second-in-command takes over on the bridge. A fishing boat is also on its way home to Stornoway, and is running a broadly parallel course to Iolaire.
The passengers can now see the lights of Stornoway ahead, as well as the familiar signal of the Arnish Lighthouse and its secondary beacon. All begin to stir and start to prepare for disembarkation, which is now only about a quarter of or half an hour away. But all is not well. The sound of waves striking shore becomes audible over the noise of wind and swell.
The next noise is a far greater one. Iolaire changes course abruptly, as the crew realise they have overshot the harbour entrance. But it is too late. At 1.55 am, the ship comes to a crashing halt on the rocks of the Beasts of Holm.
Iolaire was mortally damaged by her grounding, and would eventually slip from the rocks and sink into the depths beside the Beasts of Holm. Only her mast would be left showing above the waves.
Flares were let off, which were spotted by the fishing boat and the Sheila, which were running into Stornoway behind Iolaire. Conditions, however, were too severe for any direct help to be offered by any vessel, as they would place themselves into severe danger. One intrepid man managed to bring a hawser ashore, which was to become a literal lifeline for nearly four dozen souls. Others attempted to use the lifeboats, which were almost immediately swamped by the heavy swell, or smashed on the rocks nearby. For Iolaire only grounded about 50 yards from shore. Those who jumped into the sea drowned almost at once, or were smashed onto the rocks, left lifeless. A life-saving apparatus, a breeches' buoy, which had been brought from Stornoway, came way too late to be useful.
Some of those that survived made their way to Stoneyfield Farm, about half a mile from the scene of Iolaire's sinking, and their terrible news was relayed to Stornoway. The flares had been spotted from the town, but had been (mis)taken for celebratory rockets.
The houses waited. The stew over the fire, the teapot on the stove. The clothes on the bed, and the made up table. The families, friends and other islanders waited. Then news filtered through into, and from Stornoway. The Iolaire was lost. Several dozen had been saved. But so many more were not. A night of terrifying uncertainty drew on. Would he be among the saved?
It is early January, and daylight is still many hours away.
It is just after 9 o'clock, and the sun rises over the mountains of mainland Scotland. Its light sweeps west, and shows up a ship's mast protruding from the sea, only a few dozen yards from the shore of Holm Point. The figure of a man can be made out, as he holds on for dear life. As he has done for nigh upon seven hours. Others had been with him, but their strength had given out, and had fallen into the sea below. The man is saved from his precarious position. He had been one of about three hundred on board Iolaire who had left Kyle the evening before, expecting to arrive in Stornoway at 2 am. Instead, two hundred would never return home, and some sixty would never be retrieved.
A gruesome sight presented itself on the shores, beaches and rocky outcrops of eastern Lewis, around the bay of Stornoway. East to Knock, north to Sandwick and Stornoway, south to Grimshader. One hundred and forty bobbed on the tide, lost in the Iolaire. Those that could be retrieved were taken to the naval base at the Battery in Stornoway, to be identified and collected by family.
Those who had not yet had news of the tragedy would soon receive it, as elders of the church went round, the bearers of the news of loss. A brother, a father. An uncle, a nephew. A son, a cousin. No village was spared. No family who was not directly or indirectly affected. The stories abound, but are not readily told.
It is 2014, and dawn has broken on a new year. Five years ago, several hundred gathered at the little memorial at Holm Point to remember. It was a beautiful mild winter's day, with not a breath of wind. We looked south, across the Minch, where the jagged humps of the Shiants, the distant lines of Skye, and on a day of exceptional clarity, even the hills behind Kyle can be made out, 75 miles away. In this day and age, a short journey. In 1919, a journey that was never completed by two hundred and five souls.
Rest in peace.
A full listing of names can be found here
Postscript
The exact cause for the foundering of HMY Iolaire has never been fully cleared up, and theories abound. There are accusations of a cover-up by the Royal Navy, drunkenness on the part of the crew, and speculation on the factors played by the weather. It is not the object of this blog to apportion blame, or determine the exact cause for the tragedy. This is a tribute to the two hundred and five who perished at the Beasts of Holm that New Year's night in 1919.
95 years ago today - 09:00
It is just after 9 o'clock, and the sun rises over the mountains of
mainland Scotland. Its light sweeps west, and shows up a ship's mast
protruding from the sea, only a few dozen yards from the shore of Holm
Point. The figure of a man can be made out, as he holds on for dear
life. As he has done for nigh upon seven hours. Others had been with
him, but their strength had given out, and had fallen into the sea
below. The man is saved from his precarious position. He had been one of
about three hundred on board Iolaire who had left Kyle the
evening before, expecting to arrive in Stornoway at 2 am. Instead, two
hundred would never return home, and some sixty would never be
retrieved.
A gruesome sight presented itself on the shores, beaches and rocky outcrops of eastern Lewis, around the bay of Stornoway. East to Knock, north to Sandwick and Stornoway, south to Grimshader. One hundred and forty bobbed on the tide, lost in the Iolaire. Those that could be retrieved were taken to the naval base at the Battery in Stornoway, to be identified and collected by family.
Those who had not yet had news of the tragedy would soon receive it, as elders of the church went round, the bearers of the news of loss. A brother, a father. An uncle, a nephew. A son, a cousin. No village was spared. No family who was not directly or indirectly affected. The stories abound, but are not readily told.
It is 2013, and dawn has broken on a new year. Four years ago, several hundred gathered at the little memorial at Holm Point to remember. It was a beautiful mild winter's day, with not a breath of wind. We looked south, across the Minch, where the jagged humps of the Shiants, the distant lines of Skye, and on a day of exceptional clarity, even the hills behind Kyle can be made out, 75 miles away. In this day and age, a short journey. In 1919, a journey that was never completed by two hundred and five souls.
Rest in peace.
A full listing of names can be found here
A gruesome sight presented itself on the shores, beaches and rocky outcrops of eastern Lewis, around the bay of Stornoway. East to Knock, north to Sandwick and Stornoway, south to Grimshader. One hundred and forty bobbed on the tide, lost in the Iolaire. Those that could be retrieved were taken to the naval base at the Battery in Stornoway, to be identified and collected by family.
Those who had not yet had news of the tragedy would soon receive it, as elders of the church went round, the bearers of the news of loss. A brother, a father. An uncle, a nephew. A son, a cousin. No village was spared. No family who was not directly or indirectly affected. The stories abound, but are not readily told.
It is 2013, and dawn has broken on a new year. Four years ago, several hundred gathered at the little memorial at Holm Point to remember. It was a beautiful mild winter's day, with not a breath of wind. We looked south, across the Minch, where the jagged humps of the Shiants, the distant lines of Skye, and on a day of exceptional clarity, even the hills behind Kyle can be made out, 75 miles away. In this day and age, a short journey. In 1919, a journey that was never completed by two hundred and five souls.
Rest in peace.
A full listing of names can be found here
95 years ago tonight - 03:00
Iolaire was mortally damaged by her grounding, and would
eventually slip from the rocks and sink into the depths beside the
Beasts of Holm. Only her mast would be left showing above the waves.
Flares were let off, which were spotted by the fishing boat and the Sheila, which were running into Stornoway behind Iolaire. Conditions, however, were too severe for any direct help to be offered by any vessel, as they would place themselves into severe danger. One intrepid man managed to bring a hawser ashore, which was to become a literal lifeline for nearly four dozen souls. Others attempted to use the lifeboats, which were almost immediately swamped by the heavy swell, or smashed on the rocks nearby. For Iolaire only grounded about 50 yards from shore. Those who jumped into the sea drowned almost at once, or were smashed onto the rocks, left lifeless. A life-saving apparatus, a breeches' buoy, which had been brought from Stornoway, came way too late to be useful.
Some of those that survived made their way to Stoneyfield Farm, about half a mile from the scene of Iolaire's sinking, and their terrible news was relayed to Stornoway. The flares had been spotted from the town, but had been (mis)taken for celebratory rockets.
The houses waited. The stew over the fire, the teapot on the stove. The clothes on the bed, and the made up table. The families, friends and other islanders waited. Then news filtered through into, and from Stornoway. The Iolaire was lost. Several dozen had been saved. But so many more were not. A night of terrifying uncertainty drew on. Would he be among the saved?
It is early January, and daylight is still many hours away.
To be continued.
Flares were let off, which were spotted by the fishing boat and the Sheila, which were running into Stornoway behind Iolaire. Conditions, however, were too severe for any direct help to be offered by any vessel, as they would place themselves into severe danger. One intrepid man managed to bring a hawser ashore, which was to become a literal lifeline for nearly four dozen souls. Others attempted to use the lifeboats, which were almost immediately swamped by the heavy swell, or smashed on the rocks nearby. For Iolaire only grounded about 50 yards from shore. Those who jumped into the sea drowned almost at once, or were smashed onto the rocks, left lifeless. A life-saving apparatus, a breeches' buoy, which had been brought from Stornoway, came way too late to be useful.
Some of those that survived made their way to Stoneyfield Farm, about half a mile from the scene of Iolaire's sinking, and their terrible news was relayed to Stornoway. The flares had been spotted from the town, but had been (mis)taken for celebratory rockets.
The houses waited. The stew over the fire, the teapot on the stove. The clothes on the bed, and the made up table. The families, friends and other islanders waited. Then news filtered through into, and from Stornoway. The Iolaire was lost. Several dozen had been saved. But so many more were not. A night of terrifying uncertainty drew on. Would he be among the saved?
It is early January, and daylight is still many hours away.
To be continued.
95 years ago today - 01:55
Conditions in the Minch are now poor, and all on board Iolaire are
glad that the journey is nearly over. The passengers, most of them
familiar with the passage to Stornoway, are snoozing their way, lulled
to slumber by the steady if roughish motion of the waves that Iolaire rides.
The captain goes down below to rest, his second-in-command takes over
on the bridge. A fishing boat is also on its way home to Stornoway, and
is running a broadly parallel course to Iolaire.
The passengers can now see the lights of Stornoway ahead, as well as the familiar signal of the Arnish Lighthouse and its secondary beacon. All begin to stir and start to prepare for disembarkation, which is now only about a quarter of or half an hour away. But all is not well. The sound of waves striking shore becomes audible over the noise of wind and swell.
The next noise is a far greater one. Iolaire changes course abruptly, as the crew realise they have overshot the harbour entrance. But it is too late. At 1.55 am, the ship comes to a crashing halt on the rocks of the Beasts of Holm.
The passengers can now see the lights of Stornoway ahead, as well as the familiar signal of the Arnish Lighthouse and its secondary beacon. All begin to stir and start to prepare for disembarkation, which is now only about a quarter of or half an hour away. But all is not well. The sound of waves striking shore becomes audible over the noise of wind and swell.
The next noise is a far greater one. Iolaire changes course abruptly, as the crew realise they have overshot the harbour entrance. But it is too late. At 1.55 am, the ship comes to a crashing halt on the rocks of the Beasts of Holm.
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