Private FINLAY MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 18 Carloway,
Son of Donald and Isabella Mackay, of 18, Carloway, Stornoway.
Service unit: B company, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6688
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 25 April 1915 at the age of 24
Killed in action at St Julien
Interred: Seaforth Cemetery, Cheddar Villa, grave B. 1. (Headstone "A" 68).
Local memorial: Carloway
Had joined firing-line in October 1914
Finlay appears in the 1901 census at Carloway, aged 10, the son of Donald and Isabella and brother of Kate (13), Donald (12) and Angus (6).
His brother Angus was in the Royal Naval Division, interned in Holland; Donald served in the US Army.
Battalion war diary for 25 April 1915
The battalion has moved from Bailleul in France to a position near Wieltje, northeast of Ypres in Belgium. Their involvement with the battle starts today.
Very wet indeed.
Moved into position for attack at 4 am.
Attack commences at 5.30 am. Brigades from left to right. R Warwickshire Reg - Seaforth Highlanders - R Dublin Fusiliers - R Irish Fusiliers.
Came under heavy fire when getting into position before attack commenced. Finally took up a position and dug in as well.
6.30 am Absolutely great except for a great deal of shelling on eastern flank. Line readjusted and altered after dark. Trenches improved.From right to left companies B C D
Very wet day till 8 am - fine afternoon. Weather was very hot and sunny. There was a great deal of shelling all the time.
Officers killed: 20
Killed: 61
Wounded: 239
Died of wounds: 12
Missing: 16
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