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