John Smith, 15 Ballantrushal

Seaman JOHN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 15 Ballantrushal
Son of John and Isabella Smith
Service unit: Merchant Marine
Date of death: 25 November 1915 at the age of 17
Accidentally killed in Australia
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

John appears in the 1901 census at 15 Ballantrushal, he is aged 2. He is one of the children of John and Isabella Smith (45); Mary (8), Cath (5), Mordina (3), John (2) and John (10 months). Other siblings, present at the time, are Bella (24), Janet (16), Dolina (13) and Alexander (12).

 His brother John was a sergeant major in the Seaforths and was severely gassed; he survived the war. His brother Alexander was killed in action in 1918, having also served in the Seaforths.