George Macdonald, 18 Laxay

Sergeant GEORGE MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 18 Laxay,
Son of John and Catherine Macdonald
Service unit: 5th Bde Canadian Field Artillery
Service number: 86167
Date of birth: 5 October 1888 
Date of death: 10 September 1918 at the age of 30
Died of gas poisoning in France
Interred: Aubigny Communal Cemetery extension, grave IV. B. 7.
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay
Served for some years in the Glasgow and Canadian Police Forces

Height: 6 ft 1 in
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Volunteered at Winnipeg on 9 December 1914

George was one of the children of John (1839) and Catherine (1850), the others being  Alex (1872), Angus (1874), Catherine (1878), Christina (1882), Hector (1891), Jessie Ann (1880), John (1886), Malcolm (1884), Malcolm (1876) and an unnamed female infant who died in 1893 after only 6 days.

His brother Malcolm also served with the Canadians but died in 1921; his brother Hector was in the Seaforth Highlanders, and survived the war. 

Stornoway Gazette, 4 October 1918
A deep gloom was cast over the village when the news spread that Mr John Macdonald ahd received word of the death of his son George, who died in France on September 10th, from gas poisoning. George, who was 30 years of age, well over six feet in height and built in proportion, spent a few years on the police force in Glasgow, from whence he emigrated to Canada over six years ago. He joined the Canadians in 1914, and was in France for nearly three years. Mr Macdonald has another two sons serving, Malcolm, who came over with the 1st Canadian Contingent and is still in France, while his youngest son, Hector, travelled all the way from South America at his own expense and joined the county regiment on his arrival in England. The deep sympathy of the whole community is extneded to the aged parents, brothers and sisters in their sore bereavement. 

George Macaulay, 7 Crossbost

Lance Corporal GEORGE MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 7 Crossbost,
Son of Roderick Macaulay
Service unit: 25th Australian Imperial Forces
Service number: 1967
Date of death: 29 July 1916 at the age of 36
Killed in action in France
Interred: Serre Road Cemetery no 2, Beaumont Hamel, Plot XIII, row M, grave 12
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost


Height: 5 ft 3¾ in
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Religious denomination: Presbyterian
Occupation / trade: Labourer

Joined up in Brisbane, Queensland
Date of attestation: 29 July 1916
Age at attestation: 34 years 9 months

George appears in the 1891 census, aged 10, the son of Roderick (51) and Mary (35), and brother of Roderick (8), Norman (7), Anabella (3) and Mary (6 months).

His brother Norman served in the RNR and survived the war. 

George Mackenzie, 46 Balallan

Private GEORGE MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 46 Balallan,
Son of Roderick and Isabella McKenzie, of 46, Balallan Lochs, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 3/5104
Enlisted at Inverness
Date of birth: 7 July 1891
Date of death: 11 November 1914 at the age of 23
Killed in action in the first battle of Ypres
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 38 and 40,
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay
First man from Balallan to lose his life in the Great War

George was one of the children of Roderick (1833) and Isabella (1853), the others being   Christina (1888), George (1872), Janet (1867), John (1868), John (1886), Margaret (1877, died aged 3 weeks), Margaret (1874), Margaret (1882), Marion (1870) and Murdo (1875).

George Edward Calder, Kinlochroag

Private GEORGE EDWARD CALDER
Last address in Lewis: Kinlochroag
Son of the late John and Ellen Calder.
Service unit: Seaforth Highlanders, attached Machine Gun Corps
Service number: 141137
Enlisted at Stornoway
Born in New South Wales
Date of death: 22 May 1918 at the age of 31
Died in hospital at Sunderland of wounds sustained in Flanders in March 1918
Interred: Valtos Cemetery, Northeast part.
Local memorial: Uig, Timsgarry

Stornoway Gazette, 28 June 1918
Pte George Calder, son of John Calder, Kinlochroag, died in hospital at Sunderland on 22nd May 1918. Pte Calder, who was in the Machine Gun Corps, was wounded in action on 22nd March, and seemed to have been making very favourable progress after being removed to England. In a letter received from the doctor it is stated that he was admitted to hospital suffering from a severe wound with fracture of the left arm, but his case was not considered dangerous. After operation, his wound gradually improved, but on 18 May he showed signs of oncoming pneumonia, and from the morning of the 21st, when he had a bad attack, his condition was grave. He was quite cheerful, and being asked if he would like his people sent for, he thought he would rather not bother them unnecessarily. Next day, the gallant lad died, the cause of death being septic pneumonia, arising from the septic condition of his wound. Expressing his regret that he cannot give more personal particulars, the doctor assures the relatives that the lad had every care and attention, and that his death was a matter of great regret to his nurses and medical officers alike. The remains were brought home to Valtos Cemetery.

George Morrison, 20 Brenish

Seaman GEORGE MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 20 Brenish,
Son of John and Marion Morrison
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMML 307
Service number: 3499/SD
Date of birth: 27 September 1895
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 20
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Ardroil Cemetery, grave XI. 1.
Local memorial: Uig, Timsgarry
Had joined voluntarily early in the war

George appears in the 1901 census at the home of his grandparents Norman (78) and Catherine (74) Morrison, where his parents John (40) and Marion (37) also reside. His baby brother Norman (3 months)

George Macdonald, 30 Knock, Carloway

Private GEORGE MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 30 Knock, Carloway,
Son of the Rev Malcolm Macdonald, Payton, Saskatchewan, Canada and formerly of 30 Knock, Carloway
Service unit: 1st Canadians, enlisted with 6th Western Cavalry
Date of death: 25 April 1915 at the age of 20
Killed in action at Ypres
Lewis Memorial: Carloway

George Mackenzie, 30 Callanish

Private GEORGE MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 30 Callanish,
Son of Mrs. C. Mackenzie, of 30, Callanish, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 3/5640
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 9 May 1915 at the age of 22
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Le Touret Memorial, Panel 41 and 42
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

George appears in the 1901 census at 30 Callanish, aged 7, the son of Angus and Chirsty (both aged 40), and brother of Effie (4) and Angus (2).

His brother Angus also served, and survived the war.

George Munro, 22 South Dell

Lance Corporal GEORGE MUNRO
Last address in Lewis: 22 South Dell,
Service unit: Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 6 April 1916
Died in Cromarty Hospital after being invalided out of France
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

George is found in the 1901 census aaged 4, in the house of his grandmother Christina Murray (68) at 41 South Dell.

George Maciver, 24 Vatisker

Lance Corporal GEORGE MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 24 Vatisker,
Son of John Maciver
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7197
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 23 February 1917
Killed in action
Interred: Amara War Cemetery, grave XXI. A. 13
Local memorial: Back

George is shown in the 1901 census aged 4, the son of John (37) and Mary (36) in Vatisker, and brother to Catherine (15), Alexina (12) and Alexander (2). 

His brother Alex M. also served with the Seaforths, but survived the war.

George Macdonald, 29 Coll

Lance Corporal GEORGE MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 29 Coll,
Son of George MacDonald, of 29, Coll, Stornoway, Lewis.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7238
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 20 November 1915
Killed in action
Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, II. D. 5.
Local memorial: Back

George is seen as a 5-year old in the 1901 census at home at 29 Coll with his parents George (46) and Jessie (37) as well as his siblings John (11), Alexander (7), Katie Bell (3) and Jane (6 months).

His brother John served as a lieutenant in the Ross Mountain Battery and survived the war.

From the 2nd Seaforths War Diary
The battalion is in the trenches in northern France, midway between Arras and Amiens. The war diary for the week preceding George Macdonald's death complains of the shocking state of the trenches due to mud.

Fine, cold and clear. Artillery active on both sides all day. During the afternoon, Germans threw some 30 howitzer shells round the reserve trench and at the same time several field gun shells round front line. Our Howitzers replied with apparent effect on German 2nd line. The Battn was relieved by 7.50pm by Rifle Bde and proceded to billets in Forceville. 

George Macdonald, 7 Guershader

Sergeant GEORGE MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Guershader,
Son of Alexander MacDonald.
Service unit: 21st Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
Service number: 59616
Date of death: 9 May 1917 at the age of 26
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Vimy Memorial,
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Date of birth: 23 May 1890
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Shipfitter

Volunteered at Lindsay, ON on 15 March 1915 

Stornoway Gazette
Mr and Mrs Alexander Macdonald, 7 Guershader, have received official confirmation that their son, Lance-Corporal George Macdonald, Canadian contingent, was killed in action in France on 9th May. This gallant soldier was in Canada for about a year before war broke out, and immediately enlisted in the Dominion's Overseas Forces. He had been two years in France in the thick of othe fighting, but came through without a scratch till the day on which he was killed. He was 26 years of age and had been serving his apprenticeship as a fitter in Greenock before emigrating to Canada. The sorrowing parents and family have the sincere sympathy of the entire community in their sore bereavement. Mr and Mrs Macdonald have another son serving, namely Pte John Angus Macdonald, Seaforth Highlanders.  

William George Macleod, 3 Coulregrein

Private WILLIAM GEORGE MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 3 Coulregrein,
Son of Duncan and Mary Munro MacLeod, of 45, Tong Rd., Benside, Stornoway.
Service unit: 9th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/11574
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 5 June 1917 at the age of 23
Died of wounds
Interred: St Nicolas British Cemetery, grave I. L. 21
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Stornoway Gazette
Pte William George Macleod, Seaforth Highlanders, died of wounds received in action on 6th June 1917. Pte Macleod, who had been brought up by his grandmother, the late Mrs E. macleod, 3 New Street, Coulregrein, had been in the trenches for about a year before he was killed. The sad news was conveyed in the following letter to the grandmother from Pte Macleod's platoon officer:

"It is with the deepest regret and sympathy that I have to write to you of the death of your grandson. He was wounded in action on the 5th June and passed away in hospital the following day. We buried him with full military honours in the British cemetery here on the evening of the 7th. He has died a soldier's death, the grandest death of all. His battalion mourns the loss of an excellentn soldier; his company that of a dear friend. That God be with you in this your great bereavement is the wish of the officers and men of B Company, who join with me in offering to you their sincerest and most heartfelt sympathy".

Pte Macleod's father, though 53 years of age, is serving with the Canadian Contingent, and was wounded in Frances. He emigrated to Canada 17 years ago and was followed thither by his boys and girls as they were growing up. The deceased was one of the younger members of the family and had not been seen by his father since he was three years old - seventeen years ago - till they met in the trenches in France. In addition to the father, two other sons are serving with the Canadians in France, namely, John Murdo and Alex. The youngest son, Duncan, is with the Seaforths in Mesopotamia.

George Macsween, 1 Upper Garrabost

Private GEORGE MACSWEEN
Last address in Lewis: 1 Upper Garrabost,
Son of John and Annie MacSween, of 1, Upper Garrabost, Stornoway.
Service unit: 4th Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 1595
Enlisted at Aberdeen
Date of death: 16 June 1915 at the age of 24
Killed in action in Flanders
Memorial: Le Touret Memorial, Panel 39 to 41
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost); Nicolson Institute WW1, right panel

Was slightly wounded the previous day, but refused to go down the line to have his wounded looked to, as he desired to be in the attack which was coming off the next day, in which he fell. He was a student at Aberdeen Training college, when he joined the Gordons.

George is shown in the 1901 census as a 9-year old at home with his parents John (46) and Annie (36) as well as his sisters Annie (13) and Catherine (7).

George Graham, 1 Flesherin

Seaman GEORGE GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 1 Flesherin,
Son of George Graham
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Bayano
Service number: 4495B
Date of birth: 7 October 1884
Date of death: 11 March 1915 at the age of 30
Ship sunk by U-boat off Stranraer
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 14
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)


His brothers Angus and John also served in the RNR.

Norman George Morrison Macleod, 32 Scotland Street, Stornoway

Major NORMAN GEORGE MORRISON MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Woodside Cottage Scotland Street
Military unit: 8th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Date of death: 26 September 1916 at the age of 25
Killed in action
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, middle panel

Date of birth: 25 July 1891
Height: 5 ft 10 in
Complexion: Clean
Eyes: Gray
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Accountant
Current address: 3 Steels Road, Aldershot, England
Volunteered at Larkhill South on 9 January 1915

Was promoted captain for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the heavy fighting of 24 April 1915, and was awarded the Military Cross for carrying important messages out of the trenches in daylight.

George Macleod, 15 Scotland Street, Stornoway

Lieutenant GEORGE MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 15 Scotland Street
Son of Mrs. A. McLeod, of 12, Lorne St., Glasgow. Native of Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Cowslip
Date of death: 25 April 1918 at the age of 33
Ship sunk by UB-105 near Cape Spartel
Memorial: Portsmouth Naval, panel 30,
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, middle pane

George appears in the 1901 census as a 5-year old at 23 Scotland Street, with his father Malcolm (31, tailor) and mother Ann (33) as well as his younger brother Donald J (2). Both parents originated from the parish of Uig in Lewis. 

Stornoway Gazette, 17 May 1918
The death of Lieut. George Macleod, RNR, removes another of the many Stornoway boys who made the sea their calling. He was 33 years of age and the eldest son of the late Mr Malcolm Macleod and Mrs Macleod, 12 Lorne Street, Ibrox [Glasgow]. He left Stornoway 16 years ago and after serving in various shipping companies joined the Alfred Holt Line in 1913. He sailed for them until November 1915, when he left to join the Navy, obtaining a commission there as Sub-Lieutenant. Proving himself a capable and efficient officer, his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant followed three months later. He was last in Glasgow about five months back, having been appointed to a new ship, in which he was serving at the time of his death. The news of this sad event was conveyed in a brief telegram on April 26th, which was later on confirmed by an official intimation from the Admiralty. Five officers and one man lost their lives as a result of an explosion following the ship being torpedoed. In sympathising deeply with his widowed mother and brothers and sisters in their loss, a wide circle of friends will greatly miss his bright and cheery presence.

George Macaulay, 21 Newton Street, Stornoway

Private GEORGE MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 21 Newton Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 5th Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 3/5437
Enlisted at Inverness
Date of death: 16 July 1916
Killed in action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15B
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, left panel

George Murray Munro, 50 Kenneth Street, Stornoway

Lance Corporal GEORGE MURRAY MUNRO
Last address in Lewis: 50 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Christina MacLeod Munro, of 56, Kenneth St., Stornoway.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7259
Born at Barvas [parish]
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 16 April 1917 at the age of 18
Died in hospital in Cromarty
Interred: Sandwick Cemetery, North-West Old Ground 317
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel

Stornoway Gazette
The war has claimed another promising young man by the death last week at the Military Hospital, Cromary, of Lance Corporal George Munro, Seaforths. Deceased was the son of Mrs Munro, 50 Kenneth Street, and had served with the Seaforth Highlanders early in the war, enduring many hardships as the result of which he was invalided home. Of a bright though quiet disposition, he was a favourite in the district of Ness, where he was well-known, and a particular favourite with his officers who have expressed great sympathy with Mrs Munro and her daughter, and their high appreciation of the deceased’s character and capabilities, which gave promise of early promotion.

George Mackenzie Macdonald, 37 Keith Street, Stornoway

Second Hand GEORGE MCKENZIE MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 37 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Mary McDonald (nee McKenzie), of 18, Church St., Partick, Glasgow, and the late Donald McDonald. Born at Govan.
Service unit: Merchant Marine, SS Aparima
Date of death: 19 November 1917 at the age of 33
Ship sunk by U-40 6 miles SW of Anvil Point, enroute from London to Barry
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial,
Local memorial: Nicolson WW1 memorial, left panel

Stornoway Gazette
Official intimation has been received that George Mackenzie Macdonald, youngest son of the late Capt MacDonald, Stornoway, and Mrs Macdonald, 18 Church Street, Partick, was lost at sea on 19th November 1917 through the sinking of HMT [Aparima] of which he was second officer. The deceased, when quite a lad, went out to Australia, and served his apprenticeship in the mercantile marine. He was in the employment of the Federal Line, and recently in the home country passed the Board of Trade examination for his master's certificate. His eldest brother, Alex Dan, was seriously wounded in action in France, and died in the field hospital on 25th April last. The only surviving brother, Thomas, is an officer in the mercantile marine. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends in Stornoway is extended to their widowed mother in the double loss which the war has inflicted on her.  

George Macaulay, 3 Keith Street, Stornoway

Seaman GEORGE MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 3 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Murdo and Annie Macaulay, of 3, Keith St., Stornoway.
Service unit: Merchant Marine, HMHS Glenart Castle
Date of death: 26 February 1918 at the age of 24
Ship sunk by U-boat in Bristol Channel
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial,
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, left panel

The hospital ship Glenart Castle was torpedoed 10 miles W of Lundy Island by UC-56 with the loss of 153 lives. She was en-route from Newport to Brest.

The 1901 census shows George at Caberfeidh House as a 7-year old scholar, living with his parents Murdo (cooper, 40) and Annie (28) as well as his siblings Chrissie (5), Muriel (3) and Roderick (1).