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