John Mackay, 6 Achmore

Private JOHN MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 6 Achmore,
Son of Neil and Mary Mackay, of 6, Achmore
Service unit: 29th Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Service number: 430655
Date of death: 26 August 1918 at the age of 36
Killed in action
Interred: Achicourt Road Cemetery, Achicourt, grave E.16
Local memorial: Crossbost
Decoration(s): DCM, MM

Date of birth: 25 December 1882
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 3 in
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Black
Religion: Church of England
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Volunteered at Victoria on 16 March 1915 

John is shown in the 1901 census at the home of this parents Neil (50) and Mary (47) with his siblings Angus (16), Mary Ann (15), Neilina (3), Roderickina (10), John Roderick (9), Catherine (7) and Malcolm Norman (4).

His brothers John and Malcolm served in the RNR, and Angus in the South African forces; these three all survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette
Mr Neil Mackay, 6 Achmore, has been officially notified that his eldest son, Pte John Mackay, Canadians, was killed in action on 26 August 1918. He was for 6 years in Vancouver prior to the outbreak of war. He came across in 1915 and had been 2½ years in the fighting line in France without a scratch, until the day he was killed. A chum from North Tolsta, in a letter to Mr Mackay, mentions he was killed by a shell along with two others. They were in a hot engagement at the time and had to be buried where they lay. That spot is now however far behind the fighting line. Mr Mackay's second son is fighting in France with the South African Scottish and his two younger boys are serving in the RNR. Much sympathy is extended to the bereaved family.