Tributes for the War Memorial

This site contains transcripts of tributes to men from Lewis and Harris who lost their life in the First World War, first published by the Stornoway Gazette in 1917 and 1918. The Gazette's first issue came out on 5 January 1917. Further personal and military details for each casualty can be found on the Faces from the Lewis War Memorial website and Harris War Memorial.

The Lewis tributes are arranged by island district. The six Harris tributes are grouped on this page.

Point Aignish Aird Bayble Flesherin Garrabost Knock (Point) Portnaguran Portvoller Shader (Point) Sheshader Swordale	Stornoway & area Stornoway Town Benside Coulregrein Guershader Holm Melbost Newvalley Sandwick Stenish
Back & Tolsta Aird Tong &Tong Back Coll North Tolsta Vatisker	Ness & West Side Arnol Ballantrushal Barvas Borve Bragar Brue Eorodale Eoropie Habost Knockaird Lionel North & South Dell Port of Ness Shader Shawbost Skigersta Swainbost
Uig Aird Uig Great Bernera Borrowston Breasclete Brenish Callanish Carishader Carloway Crowlista Crulivig Dun Carloway Garenin Geshader Islivig Kinlochroag Kirivick Kneep Mangersta Park Carloway Scaliscro Tolsta Chaolais Valtos	Lochs Achmore Balallan Calbost Gravir Habost Keose Kershader Laxay Leurbost Ranish

Kenneth Macaulay, 5 Breasclete

It is with deep regret we record the death of seaman Kenneth Macaulay, RNR, 5 Breasclet, at Granton Hospital on 3 November, of pneumonia following influenza. A shipmate writes:
"A happier lad than Kenneth Macaulay was hard to find. Of him it could in truth be said "British to the Backbone". Just ask his shipmates. These last two years we have served together in one of the Q-boats. During that time, we had experiences calculated to bring a man out in the open and Kenneth was splendid! It is a sad blow to the parents to lose such a son and it is a sad blow for us to lose such a chum. I sat by his bedside during his last ten minutes of life and I can hardly believe yet he's gone. All his shipmates extend their sincere sympathy to his bereaved parents".

6 December 1918

John Macgregor, 12A Tolsta Chaolais

John joined the Royal Navy as a boy & was on the China Station at the time of the Boxer Rising early 1900’s. After serving in the navy for 12 years he settled in New Zealand working as a motor driver before the war. Served in Egypt, 1914-15, at Gallipoli, and on the Western Front.

William Macneill, 1 Carishader

Served 9 years with the Seaforths in India (Medal and Clasp); DCM for gallantry at Givenchy and was awarded Russian Cross of the Order of St George (4th Class).

Kenneth Macarthur, 2 Park Carloway

Mobilised as special reservist at start of war. Wound at Neuve Chapelle as well as at Festubert. Returned to France in 1916 after recovering

John Macleod, 7 Kirivick

He had been promoted to Sergeant before he was killed in an explosion in France. He mobilised with the Gordon's Special Reserve, and subsequently transferred to the Black Watch. Before the outbreak of war he was serving with the Caledonian Railway Company in Glasgow.

Donald Mackay, 6 Carloway

Mobilised with 3rd Seaforth Highlanders on declaration of war, crossed to France in its early stages and was severely wounded at Neuve Chapelle. After recovering from his wounds he was transferred to the Royal Scots and served with them in the Balkans and in Egypt. Returned to France in June 1916 and was again wounded twice. He was promoted Regimenal Sergeant Major at 21 years of age.

Donald Maclean, 9 Doune Carloway

We regret to have to state that official intimation has been received by Mrs Margaret Maclean, 9 Doune, that her son Donald has died of pneumonia in hospital at Granton. The deceased, who was over 18 years of age, joined up at the end of last summer and served for a while on an east coast patrol. He was a fine cheerful lad and a general favourite. His other brother, Murdo, died of wounds in France three years ago. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs Maclean and their daughters in their irrepairable loss.

22 November 1918

John Macaulay, 12 Kirkibost, Great Bernera

Last Friday (15 November), Mr John Macaulay, 12 Kirkibost, received intimation by wire that his youngest son, Seaman John Macaulay, RNRT, had died in a Dundee hospital at the early age of 20 years. He was laid aside with influenza and pneumonia setting in, he succumbed. His early death has cast a gloom over the district. He was a promising young man, and his fine character and amiable disposition endeared him to all his friends. Deep sympathy is felt towards the bereaved parents, sisters and brothers, in their sad and irrepairable loss.

22 November 1918

Donald Maciver, 9 Aird Uig

Mr Norman Maciver, 9 Aird Uig, received the sad news that his son Donald was lost at sea on 12 September 1918. His ship was torpedoed in the Mediterranean on that day, and 57 other lives were lost, and 150 saved. Donald was an exceptionally fine character and his death was a very severe blow to his parents, to whom and to his brothers and sisters and other relatives the heartfelt sympathy of the community is extended. It is a great comfort to them that one of his brothers, Sergt Duncan Maciver, Seaforths, is at home with them now.

11 October 1918

Donald Macleod, 41 Park Carloway

Widow John Macleod (Ian Chalum), 41 [Park] Carloway, has received intimation that her son, Pte Donald Macleod, Canadians, has been killed. He went over to British Columbia some 7 years ago, and saw over 3 years service in France. Donald was on transport duty and was killed by shell fire. He was 34 years old and of a very bright disposition and a general favourite of all he came into contact with. The greatest sympathy goes out to Mrs Macleod and family in the loss of a loyal and dutiful son and brother.

27 September 1918

Malcolm Macleod, 23 Garenin

Official information has been received of the death of Malcolm Macleod, RNR of 23 Garenin. He joined up at the beginning of the war, sasw service in the Mediterranean and was on board the ill-fated Majestic when she was sunk. Mr Macleod, who was a deacon in the Carloway UF Church, was a bright Christian of more than the ordinary intelligence and was highly respected by all who knew him. His death has caused a blank which can hardly be filled. The Church will miss a pious and genuine Christian and the community will be much the poorer for his loss. The greatest sympathy is extended to his widow and young children in their great sorrow.

11 October 1918

John Mackay, 48 Carloway

Miss Annie Mackay, 48 Carloway, has been informed that her brother, Lieut. John mackay, Canadians, died on 3 October 1918 as the result of wounds received in action. Lieut John Mackay went through the South African War. He went to Canada some years ago, and when war was declared he joined the Canadian army and was soon promoted. Two other brothers, Murdo and Donald, have similarly made the supreme sacrifice. The trio were a fine set of young men,m open, frank and kind-hearted, beloved by one another and highly respected by all who knew them. The greatest sympathy goes out to the sore stricken family in their great sorrow.

11 October 1918

From the Roll of Honour
Had served with the Camerons in the South African war and rejoined from Canada in 1914. Served in Egypt with 3rd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders.

Malcolm Macneill, 1 Carishader

The town of Carishader, and the whole of the Bays district of Uig was cast into deep mourning the other day, when it became known that Mr Donald Macneill, 1 Carishader, was notified of the death of his brother, Lance-Corpl. Malcolm Macneill, 2nd Field Co., New Zealander Engineers in France on 19 August 1918. Malcolm was the second son of the late Lance-Sergeant Wm. Macneill, 1 Carishader, and his younger brother, Sgt William Macneill DCM, was killed in action in France on the 9th May 1915. His Lt writes that Malcolm was killed while engaged in transport and reconnaisance work by the bursting of a shell on the road near him, a fragment of which struck him on the head, death being instantaneous. In civil life, Malcolm was a mason to trade. Shortly after serving his apprenticeship in Aberdeen, he emigrated to New Zealand where he did well in his trade and mining. On the outbreak of war, he at once offered himself for the defence of his King and Country, but was thrice rejected on account of a little dullness of hearing. On the fourth time, he was accepted and crossed to Egypt with his contingent in June 1916. In the following August, his Company went to France and he has been there since except for a few days' leave home. Malcolm visited (alas for the last time) all the old friends he could possibly could in the short time at his disposal. He was a great favourite with young and old, and the deepest sympatny of the whole community goes out to his brothers and sisters in their irrepairable loss.

18 October 1918

Donald John Morison, 17 Brenish

A short time ago, Mr Ewen Morison, 17 Breanish, received the sad news of the death of his youngest son, Donald John Morison, at the front. The aged father had been in ill health for some time back, and this bereavement has been to him and to the rest of the family a sore blow indeed. The full sympathy of the community goes out to them in their great trouble.

Another correspondent writes:
We regret to have to announce that last week Mr Ewen Morrison, 17 Breanish, received word from the War Office to the effect that his son, Pte Donald John Morrison, Canadians, was killed in action in France on 1 October. This was Mr Morrison's youngest and only son serving, and the sec ond fine lad from this small village during the past month to give his life that we might live.

8 November 1918

Donald Macarthur, 6 Borrowston

Shawbost was plunged in grief when it was known that another of our lads in blue had made the supreme sacrifice in defence of his King, home and country. He was Donald Macarthur (of Borriston) who was married and settled in New Shawbost. He was with us on three weeks' leave quite recently. It is worthy of note that when Macarthur and his chum arrived at their base off leave, a day before their time, their ship was just leaving for sea, and if they had waited the expiration of their leave, the ship would have proceeded to sea without them. But such are the ways of Providence, and Macarthur laid down his life as the result of an enemy mine by which his ship was blown up just outside Zeebrugge. His chum, John Macleod RNR, who arrived back to Shawbost on Saturday, is one of the survivors and bore with personal grief the sorrowful intelligence of Macarthur's tale. The painful feelings of the whole community go out to Mrs Macarthur and her two children in their irrepairable loss of husband and father, who died that others might live.

8 November 1918

Angus Mackay, 9 Callanish

Sergt-Major Mackay, 9 Callanish, has received information from France that his brother, Sergt. Angus Mackay, 72nd Canadian Infantry, has died from wounds received in action, on 9th August. Sergt Mackay, who enlisted in Vancouver in 1915, came over to England and on going to France was wounded in the first battle of the Somme. Returning to England again he was acting gymnastic instructor until last June, when he was again sent to France. Angus served 11 years in the Regular Army with the Camerons, and he was through the South African Campaign, 1900-1902, and was in possession of the Queen's Medal. His Captain wrote:
"Your brother was an excellent soldier much respected by his comrades and his death is very keenly felt by every member of his battalion".

13 September 1918

Norman Maciver, 4 Breaclet

It is presumed that Mr Norman Maciver, son of Mr and Mrs N Maciver, 4 Breaclet, lost his life on the 7th July, when the ship on which he was wireless operator, was unk off the Irish coast. It is sad beyond words to think that such a young life has been suddenly cut off at the outset of a career so full of happy prospects of usefulness and success, and with the sorrowing parents, brothers and sisters, his many friends mourn the loss of a young man, whose charming personality was a joy to all who knew him. In his boyhood Norman Maciver was most popular with his companions by whom, as well as by his teachers, he was held in affectionate esteem. He was a lad of parts and having made up his mind to continue his education, he was much disappointed when circumstances prevented his entering the Nicolson Institute. His disappointment made him all the more determined to get on through some other avenue, as later events proved. For a time after leaving school he was on the staff of the local post-office. Here his civility to the public, his genial courtesy and kindliness of disposition, won for him the respect and confidence of all classes in the community. In August 1916, he entered the Glasgow Institute of the North British Wireless Schools and in April of the following year he passed the Postmaster-General's examination and was awarded a first-class certificate. He then joined the Marconi Company's service.
To the parents, brothers and sisters the utmost sympathy is extended in the loss of a most dutiful and devoted son and brother of whom not only they but the whole district had reason to be proud.

Angus Morrison, 13B Kneep

Last week, Mrs Morrison (Banntrach Aonghais Thormaid) received official intimation that her son Angus had been killed when his ship was sunk on 24 July 1918. Sincerest sympathy is extended to the aged mother and other members of the family in their great sorrow.

George Calder, Kinlochroag

Pte George Calder, son of John Calder, Kinlochroag, died in hospital at Sunderland on 22nd May 1918. Pte Calder, who was in the Machine Gun Corps, was wounded in action on 22nd March, and seemed to have been making very favourable progress after being removed to England. In a letter received from the doctor it is stated that he was admitted to hospital suffering from a severe wound with fracture of the left arm, but his case was not considered dangerous. After operation, his wound gradually improved, but on 18 May he showed signs of oncoming pneumonia, and from the morning of the 21st, when he had a bad attack, his condition was grave. He was quite cheerful, and being asked if he would like his people sent for, he thought he would rather not bother them unnecessarily. Next day, the gallant lad died, the cause of death being septic pneumonia, arising from the septic condition of his wound. Expressing his regret that he cannot give more personal particulars, the doctor assures the relatives that the lad had every care and attention, and that his death was a matter of great regret to his nurses and medical officers alike. The remains were brought home to Valtos Cemetery.

28 June 1918