Neil Macdonald, 21 Ballantrushal

Seaman NEIL MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 21 Ballantrushal,
Son of Angus and Annie Macdonald, of 21, Ballantrushal.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, SS Arabis
Service number: 3335A
Date of death: 16 September 1917 at the age of 24
Ship sunk by U-54, 210 miles W of Ushant en route from Sfax to Falmouth
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 26
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

Neil is shown in the 1901 census at 21 Ballantrushal, aged 10, at home with his parents Angus (42) and Ann (40) as well as his siblings Margaret (16), Mary (14), Chirsty (7), Angus (4) and John (1). 

His brother Angus was killed in action in 1917, serving the Seaforths. John  served in the Trawler section of the RNR and survived the war. 

Stornoway Gazette

It is with deep regret that it was learned here last Friday (19 October 1917) that Neil Macdonald RNR, son of Angus Macdonald, 21 Ballantrushal, had lost his life at sea when his ship, the "Arabas", was lost on 16th September. Before being sent to sea as a gunner on a merchantman, Neil underwent a course of training in the gunnery school. Deceased was of a kindly disposition and spright character, a most dutiful son, and a general favourite with all his acquaintances. He will be greatly missed by a wide circle of friends. The sad intelligence was conveyed in a letter from Custom House, stating that Neil was missing from among the survivors of his veessel. This is the second severe blow that has fallen on Mr and Mrs Macdonald through the war, their son Angus having been killed in France last April. The youngest - and now only remaining - son is on patrol duty. Much sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Macdonald and other relatives, and the whole community mourns with them in their irrepairable loss.

Angus Macdonald, 21 Ballantrushal

Private ANGUS MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 21 Ballantrushal,
Son of Angus Macdonald, of 21, Ballantrushal, Shader, Stornoway.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7138
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 11 April 1917 at the age of 21
Killed in action in France
Interred: Brown's Copse Cemetery, Roeux, grave III. F. 25
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve


Battalion war diary entry

Angus is shown in the 1901 census at 21 Ballantrushal, aged 4, at home with his parents Angus (42) and Ann (40) as well as his siblings Margaret (16), Mary (14), Neil (10), Chirsty (7) and John (1). 

His brother Neil drowned in the sinking of his ship in the Mediterranean in September 1917. John  served in the Trawler section of the RNR and survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette

It is with deep regret that it was learned here last Friday (19 October 1917) that Neil Macdonald RNR, son of Angus Macdonald, 21 Ballantrushal, had lost his life at sea when his ship, the "Arabas", was lost on 16th September. Before being sent to sea as a gunner on a merchantman, Neil underwent a course of training in the gunnery school. Deceased was of a kindly disposition and spright character, a most dutiful son, and a general favourite with all his acquaintances. He will be greatly missed by a wide circle of friends. The sad intelligence was conveyed in a letter from Custom House, stating that Neil was missing from among the survivors of his veessel. This is the second severe blow that has fallen on Mr and Mrs Macdonald through the war, their son Angus having been killed in France last April. The youngest - and now only remaining - son is on patrol duty. Much sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Macdonald and other relatives, and the whole community mourns with them in their irrepairable loss.

Murdo Smith, 18 Ballantrushal

Sergeant MURDO SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 18 Ballantrushal,
Son of Donald and Ann Macdonald Smith, of 18, Ballantrushal.
Service unit: D Coy 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7272
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 4 October 1917 at the age of 21
Killed in action at Ypres
Interred: Cement House Cemetery, grave XV. A. 4
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

Murdo appears in the 1901 census, the 5-year old son of Donald and Ann (both aged 38) at 18 Ballantrushal. His siblings Charles (13), Mary (12), John (11), Ann (7) and Donald (2) are also present.


His brother Donald died of illness at Inverness, having served in the RNR. His brother Charles served in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, and was wounded.  

From the battalion war diary
The battalion is in action east of Ypres, conducting the battle of Broodseinde, the last battle of Passchendaele.

The Battalion formed up for attack by zero -1 hour on correct alignment in touch with 1st Hampshire on right and R Dublin Fusiliers on left. Coys were closed up to total depth of 120 yards to get clear of EAGLE trench which would have broken formations. Two leading platoons of each assaulting coy carried trench boards in cue of difficulty being found in crossing water and marsh between starting point and KANGAROO trench and LAUDETBEEK. Platoons were to advance in succession under cover of the creeping barrage at correct distances of 100yards between platoons and 150 yards between coys with moppers coy HQs 50 yards in rear of the platoon of each coy.

At zero hour (6 am) leading platoons advanced into barrage, but found great difficulty in keeping alignment owin to water forcing them to follow best ground or the marsh. This caused confusion and resulted in formation of assaulting coys being lost, especially on left where the leading wave walked into our own barrage. KANGAROO trench was reached without coys, platoons being able to disentangle themselves enemy who showed resistance being bayonetted and remainder being passed back. A total of about 25 men were taken prisoner on the front up to KANGAROO trench, including several men were killed by enemy barrage fire on their way back. The left assaulting coy came into some resistance and did not take many prisoners. Coy SM Bain killing 15 enemy to his own bayonet. As the advance proceeded coys endeavoured to regain formation but this was found to be impossible owing to confusion and the excited condition of the men. Up to BEEK STREET trench casualties were not heavy, but from that point onwards machine gun fire was encountered, from left flank generally and this fire caused considerable casualties, both coy commanders and 6 of their platoon commanders of the two left coys being put out of action. Continuing their advance towards their objective, the left coy captured the fortified houses and the right coy advance over 19 Metre Hill. The left coys were unable to advance further, where the remaining men established themselves in shell holes.

Donald Smith, 18 Ballantrushal

Seaman DONALD SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 18 Ballantrushal,
Son of Donald and Ann Macdonald Smith, of 18, Ballantrushal
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 26 July 1917 at the age of 18
Died of illness in Inverness
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

Donald appears in the 1901 census, the 2-year old son of Donald and Ann (both aged 38) at 18 Ballantrushal. His siblings Charles (13), Mary (12), John (11), Ann (7) and Murdo (5) are also present.

His brother Murdo was killed near Ypres in 1917, having served in the Seaforths; his brother Charles  was wounded, having served in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary service. 

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.

Alexander Smith, 15 Ballantrushal

Company Sergeant-Major ALEX SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 15 Ballantrushal,
Son of John and Isabella Smith, of 15, Ballantrushal
Service unit: 7th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 10065
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 23 March 1918 at the age of 29
Memorial: Pozieres Memorial, Panel 72 and 73
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve
Decoration(s):Military Medal

Alex appears in the 1891 census at 17 Ballantrushal, he is aged 1. He is one of the 8 children of John (37) and Isabella (36), the others being Isabella (14), Mary (13), Effie (12), Catherine (9), John (7), Janet (5), and Dolina (3). In 1901, five more children have been added to the family, Mary (8), Cath (5), Mordina (3), John (2) and John (10 months). Of the children, present in 1891, only Bella (24), Janet (16), Dolina (13) and Alexander (12) remain at home (or alive?).

His brother John was a sergeant major in the Seaforths and was severely gassed; he survived the war. His other brother John was accidentally killed at sea in 1915 whilst serving in the Merchant Navy.

Stornoway Gazette
The experience of Ballantrushal in the past week accords with the saying that troubles never come singly. We had hardly realised the blank created in the village by the loss of John Macleay, our genial and much-respected fellow villager, when the gloom of sadness was deepend by the news, officially reported that CSM Alex Smith, son of Mr and Mrs John Smith, 15 Ballantrushal, was killed in action on the 23rd March. SM Smith was an old soldier, having joined the Seaforths about 12 years ago. He crossed to France with the first Expeditionary Force, came safely through the retreat from Mons, and had the same good fortune in all the hard fighting of his regiment till he was gassed in June 1915. He made a speedy recovery from the effects of the gas, and in the course of a very short time was back again in the fighting line. In the summer of 1916, he was wounded his arm being fractured, and after a period of hospital treatment in this country returned to the regimental depot where he was for a time employed in training recruits. Towards the end of that year he was sent again to the front where, for his gallant services with the 7th Seaforths, he was awarded the Military medal. Being entitled to the Mons Star he had thus the distinction of two war decorations. SM Smith was a young man of sterling qualities whicih won for him the esteem of all those with whom he associated and much sympathy is felt for his parents, brothers and sisters in their bereavement. Mr and Mrs Smith's only surviving son is a Sergt.-Major in the Seaforths. He also had been a regular soldier before the war, and had served 9 years with the colours, six of which were spent in India, and at the outbreak of war was a reservist. He was severely gassed at the same time as his later brother, who found him lying unconscious, and to whose efforts in carrying him to a place of safety he owes his life. He had never completely recovered from the effects of the poison and is employed at a military depot somewhere in England. 

Roderick Macleay, 14 Ballantrushal

Private RODERICK MACLEAY
Last address in Lewis: 14 Ballantrushal,
Son of Roderick and Margaret Macleay, of 14, Ballantrushal Shader, Barvas, Stornoway.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7049
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 18 May 1915 at the age of 20
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 38
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve
Had been at front since commencement of hostilities

His brother Louis died of wounds in January 1918, having served in the 7th Seaforths.

From battalion war diary
The battalion remains engaged in the 2nd battle of Ypres

Very wet. Germans opposite reported to be wearing British uniforms. B coy relieved one coy of 7th A&SH's. This brings our right up to WIELTJE road.

Killed: 2
Wounded: 3

Louis Macleay, 14 Ballantrushal

Corporal LOUIS MACLEAY
Last address in Lewis: 14 Ballantrushal,
Son of Roderick and Margaret Macleay, of 14, Ballantrushal, Barvas, Stornoway.
Service unit: B Coy. 7th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 204506
Enlisted at Glasgow
Date of death: 9 January 1918 at the age of 19
Died of wounds
Interred: Tincourt New British Cemetery, grave IV. E. 10.
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

His brother Roderick served in the 2nd Seaforths, but was killed in action in May 1915.

Stornoway Gazette
Mr Roderick Macleay, 14 Ballantrushal, has received the sad intelligence that his youngest son, Pte Louis Macleay, Seaforths, has died of wounds received in action on 9 January 1918. The sad news casts a gloom over the whole district. Deceased was only 20 years of age. He was a young man of upright character, a most dutiful son ,a genial and true friend and a general favourite with all who knew him. Deepest sympathy is extended to his bereaved parents, brothers and sisters in their deep sorrow. 

Charles Macleod, 11 Ballantrushal

Corporal CHARLES MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 11 Ballantrushal
Son of John MacLeod, of 11, Ballantrushal, Shader, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 315556
Enlisted at Barvas
Date of death: 15 November 1914 at the age of 21
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Le Touret Memorial, panel 39 to 41

Stornoway Gazette, 27 April 1917
Tha sinn duilich, sinn tha duilich;
Tha sinn duilich O’ a Thearlaich!
Tha sinn duilich bha nach till thu,
Is ann am Belgium tha do chnamhan
Mo ghradhs’ air Tealach Ian Phiobair;
Thug mi gaol dhuit thar mo chaidean.
Ged a chaidh sa Fhraing do mharbhadh
Cha be cearbaich do chuid lamhan..
Se d’athair-a dh’fhag thu falamh,
Is fhada bho choidil do mhathair
Cha teid sinn a dh’ionnsuidh d’naighe;
‘S fhada bh’uainn ai chuan a tha i
Chaid thu chogadh thar na cuantain;
Thug an lauidhe snuadh a bhais ort.
An dochas ghu shaor an t’uan thu,
Far bheil d’uaighe cha bhris an la oir.
S ‘ann uainn bhein a dh’ fhalbh an gasan
Air a chasan a bha aluinn
Cha robh leithid ann an ceudan
Ri dol sios air druim na carnan
Thuair mi do litir di’haoine,
Agus taobh dhi ann an Gaelic;
S thu ag’ radh na faigheadh in soras,
Gu ruigeadh tu tir do chairdean
S ‘ann again fhein bha an caraid
A bha snasail air na sraidean;
‘S ged do dheighinn gus an isagaich
Chan fhaic mi gu slorruidh Tearlach
Mo bheannachda’ air a chre a glulan
Ged is ann san uir a dha i;
Tha mo bheannachd aig a cuideachd,
Bithidh iad duilichh air aon Thearlaich
Tha sinn duilich, sinn tha duilich,
Tha do pheathraichdean is do bhrathair;
Chan fhaic iad toilleadh thus a chlachan,
Suidhe faing orr’ air an t’-Sabaid
Sguiridh mi nis dha m’oran
Le bhi ‘g innee’ dochas chairdean;
Gun eirich thu suas le caithream
Gu na dhaithair a’ fear do ghraidh oir
Tha sinn duilich, sinn tha duilich,
Tha sinn duilich, O a Thearlach;
Tha sinn duilich, bho nach till thu
Chum na muinntir rinn th fhogail.

John Macleay, 10B Ballantrushal

Seaman JOHN MACLEAY
Last address in Lewis: 10B Ballantrushal,
Son of Mary Macleay;
Husband of Annie Macleay, of 10, Ballantrushal, Shader, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, SS Llwyngwair
Service number: 1533C
Date of birth: 6 July 1875
Date of death: 26 April 1918 at the age of 43
Torpedoed by UC 64, 5 miles outside Seaham
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 30
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve
Was torpedoed 4 times

John appears in the 1891 census at Lower Shader, the next village to Ballantrushal, aged 18. He is the son of Mary (51), and brother to Margret (25) and Mirren (14).

Stornoway Gazette
John Macleay, seaman, RNR, Ballantrushal, lost his life when the ship on which he was serving as a member of the guns' crew was sunk by the enemy on the 26th April 1918. The deceased had been on active service since the beginning of the war and such fragmentary account as is known of his many experiences, cruel hardships and narrow escapes is a grim record of the perils to which in the terrible times in which we live those are expected to go down to the sea in ships. On HMS Kent he took part in the victorious action off the Falkland Islands in which that ship played such a prominent part. He was subsequently transferred to a ship of a different class on which he had not served long till it was destroyed by mine. His next ship was torpedoed and sunk, but Macleay escaped unhurt. Having joined anothe rvessel he had the same misfortune again, and those of the crew who survived having taken to their small boats were tossed about for hours in a rough sea till they were picked up by another ship. Within twenty minutes of their being taken on board this vessel, which had come to their rescue, met the same fate. We deeply regret that this gallant seaman who had such a series of marvellous escdapes has made the surpreme sacrifice on the occasion of this fifth mishap. The intimation of his death cast a gloom over teh district. He leaves a widow and four children whose ages range from fifteen to five years for whom, and for his aged mother, deepest sympathy is felt. 

Alexander Macleay, 10 Ballantrushal

Corporal ALEX MACLEAY
Last address in Lewis: 10 Ballantrushal,
Son of William MacLeay, of 10, Shader, Barvas, Stornoway, Lewis
Husband of Nellie Nicolson MacLeay, of 18, George St., Whiteinch, Glasgow.
Service unit: B Coy. 10th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, formerly Piper 4th A&SH
Service number: 4/8051
Enlisted at Paisley, Renfrewshire
Date of death: 12 October 1917 at the age of 33
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 141 to 143 and 162.
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

His brother Norman served in the Canadians and was wounded and gassed; his brother Donald also served with the Argylls, and survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette
A deep gloom was cast over Ballantrushal last Monday when it became known that Piper Alex Macleay, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, had been killed in action on the Western Front. He was a son of William Macleay, 10 Ballantrushal, and was a carpenter to trade. On the outbreak of war, he joined the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders as a piper. He was a man of upright character, a most dutiful son, a genial and true friend, and a general favourite of all who knew him. Much sympathy is felt for his widow and two young daughters who are resident in Glasgow, and the whole community mourns with them in their irrepairable loss.  

Alexander Young, 8 Ballantrushal

Private ALEX YOUNG
Last address in Lewis: 8 Ballantrushal,
Son of Angus Young (of Govan), nephew of Angus Young, also of 8 Ballantrushal
Service unit: 4th Highland Light Infantry
Service: 7159
Enlisted at Hamilton
Date of death: 29 September 1917
Killed in action in France
Interred: Coxyde Military Cemetery, grave IV. C. 13

Alexander appears aged 16 in the 1901 census of Glasgow Bridgeton, staying at 24 Brown Street, with his father Angus (42) and mother Etta (40) as well as his younger siblings Donald (14), Annie (12), John W (10), Alexander (9) and Annie Mary (5).

Murdo Macdonald, 7 Ballantrushal

Private MURDO MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Ballantrushal,
Son of John MacDonald, of 7, Ballantrushal, Barvas, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/5366
Date of death: 22 December 1914 at the age of 18
Killed in action at La Bassee
Memorial: Le Touret Memorial, panel 41 and 42,
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

Angus Maclean, 4 Ballantrushal

Lance Corporal ANGUS MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 4 Ballantrushal,
Son of Malcolm and Peggy Macleod Maclean, of 4, Ballantrushal,
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6861
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 17 April 1917 at the age of 26
Died of wounds
Interred: Aubigny Communal Cemetery extension, grave II. E. 54
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve


His brother Donald served in the Trawler section of the RNR, and survived the war. 

John Maclean, 3 Ballantrushal

Private JOHN MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 3 Ballantrushal,
Son of Donald Maclean
Service unit: Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: not known
Killed in action in France
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

His brother Angus served in the Trawler section of the RNR, and survived the war.