John Mackenzie, 24 Knock, Point

Leading Seaman JOHN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 24 Knock, Point,
Son of John and Margaret Mackenzie, of 24, Knock, Point, Garrabost, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Service unit: Royal Navy, HMS Ganges
Service number: 7374/A
Date of birth: 16 April 1896
Date of death: 26 May 1917 at the age of 21
Died at Shotley of illness
Interred: Shotley (St Mary) Churchyard, grave RN Plot 122
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)
Enlisted in 1914 before the age of 18

In the 1901 census, John is shown aged 5, the son of John (44, crofter fisherman) and Margaret (42). He is living at 24 Knock with his siblings James (4), Kenneth (11), William (9), Christina (7) and Malcolm (1)

His brother Kenneth served in the Seaforth Highlanders. He was wounded twice; lost right hand and thumb and forefinger of left hand at the second wounding. His brothers Malcolm and Donald served in the Ross Mountain Battery, and William was in the RNR. All these did survive the war.

Stornoway Gazette
Died at Shotley
We regret to report the death of John Mackenzie, seaman, RNR, son of Mr John Mackenzie, 24 Knock, quite recently at Shotley. Young John was a lad of more than ordinary ability and his death is a great blow to his parents. The news of his death, being so unexpected and sudden, cast a gloom over the whole district. He was greatly admired and respected by all, and his bright and cheery presence will be sadly missed. Much sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved parents and family. He joined the Navy in October 1914, before he attained his 18th birthday and was sent to the eastern Mediterranean on board HMS Hythe. He was in hospital in Alexandria suffering from malaria when that ill-fated vessel was sunk in collision, when another promising young lad, John Macdonald from Swordale, lost his life. It is a remarkable fact that his brother James died at the age of 21 years, same age as John. James was at the time going through his college course at Aberdeen, and it may not be remembered that two Lewis boys straight from the Nicolson Institute topped the admission list of candidates for Scotland for that year - Macmillan, Lochs, first, and James Mackenzie, Knock, second. These are other three brothers serving, namely, Kenneth in the Seaforth Highlanders now in France after recovering from his wounds; William in the RNR, on board a cruiser, and Malcolm in the Ross Mountain Battery. The only sister, Christina, is a teacher in the Bayble Primary School and the youngest of the family, William, is at present a bursar in the Nicolson Institute.