Frederick Charles, 32 Keith Street, Stornoway

Private FREDERICK CHARLES
Last address in Lewis: 32 Keith Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 4th Royal Irish Fusiliers
Service number: 18635
Date of death: 9 September 1915 at the age of 45
Died of drowning in the River Clyde
Interred: Glasgow Eastern Necropolis, grave 12. 2057.

Frederick is shown in the 1881 census of Stornoway, aged 11, living at 32 Keith Street, Back Court. He is a scholar, the son of Margaret (32) and  Frederick (a seaman, not present at census time) and brother of Johanna (13).

In 1891, Frederick appears in the census at 6 Blackburn Street, Govan, Glasgow, aged 21. He is a baker, living with his mother Margaret (46) and siblings Johanna (23) and Donald (14).

By 1901, Frederick (31) is married to Isabella Charles (27), and has a baby son, Kenneth, aged 9 months. They live at 136 Nelson Street, Govan; Frederick is a journeyman baker.

Frederick drowned in the River Clyde opposite berth no 12, Broomielaw, Glasgow. He is quoted as living at 89 Oran Street. It is mentioned he was a private in the 4th Royal Irish Fusiliers. At the time of his death, both his parents were deceased.

His birth certificate shows he was born in Stornoway.

Hector Macleod, 84 Keith Street, Stornoway

Private HECTOR MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 84 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Catherine McLeod, of 84, Keith St., Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 7270
Enlisted at Inverness
Date of death: 19 March 1916 at the age of 28
Killed in action by a sniper
Interred: St Patrick's Cemetery, Loos, grave III. H. 31
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, middle panel

Enlisted in the 1st Camerons at age 18. Saw service in China in connection with the Boxer uprising. Was a reservist and in Canada when called up in August 1914.

Hector is found aged 3 on the 1891 census at 86 Keith Street, living with his father Donald (aged 34, a joiner and contractor) and mother Catherine (aged 32 ), as well as siblings Margaret A Macleod (8), Isabella (8), Malcolm (7) and Alexander J (5). As the family is not traceable in 1901, there is a possibility that they had emigrated to Canada by that time.
 
Malcolm was killed in action on 29 April 1915, fighting with the Canadians. Alexander John served with the 79th Depot Battery CEF, enlisting from Montreal.

Malcolm Macleod, 84 Keith Street, Stornoway

Private MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 84 Keith Street
Next of kin: Donald Macleod, Father, of 86 Keith Street
Military unit: 15th Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)
Service number: 27092
Date of death: 29 April 1915 at the age of 29
Cause of death: Killed in action
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 18 - 24 - 26 - 30
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Date of birth: 26 February 1886
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 4½ in
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Auburn
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Linesman, Bell Telephone Co
Volunteered at Valcartier on 22 September 1914
Further imagery regarding Malcolm can be seen on this page on Veteran Affairs Canada.

Malcolm is found aged 7 on the 1891 census at 86 Keith Street, living with his father Donald (aged 34, a joiner and contractor) and mother Catherine (aged 32 ), as well as siblings Margaret A Macleod (8), Isabella (8), Alexander J (5) and Hector (3). As the family is not traceable in 1901, there is a possibility that they had emigrated to Canada by that time.

Hector served with the Cameron Highlanders and was killed in action on 19 March 1916.
Alexander John served with the 79th Depot Battery Canadian Expeditionary Force, enlisting from Montreal.

Malcolm Macleod, 81 Keith Street, Stornoway

Private MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 81 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of John and Annie Macleod, of 81, Keith St., Stornoway, Lewis.
Service unit: 8th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 9007
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 20 August 1917 at the age of 30
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 132 to 135 and 162A
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial
Decoration(s): DCM

Served with 1st Seaforths in India. Reservist and in USA at start of war; one of three cousins named after same uncle who lost their lives in the war

Stornoway Gazette
Mrs Macleod, 81 Keith Street, has received further information that her only son, Pte Malcolm Macleod, Seaforth Highlanders, was killed in action in France on 20th August 1917. Pte Macleod served six years in India with the 1st Seaforths and took part in two campaigns on the northwest frontier there. He was a reservist and resident in the United States when war was declared in August 1914. He immediately came home and reported himself at Fort George, and soon rejoined his old regiment on return from India. Callum was reckoned the best shot in the battalion and was employed as a sniper. In December 1914, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant for bravery in the field, but declined. On 1st April 1915, he was wounded but was able to rejoin his comrades in the fighting line on 10th May. At the battle of Loos, a sniper got him with an explosive bullet which shattered his left arm, putting him out of action until beginning May 1916. He was in the thick of the heavy fighting which took place since that date, but passed unharmed through it all until 20 August 1917 when he was killed by a shell, along with five others. He was recognised by his fellows as the bravest man in the battalion and he had the distinction of winning the Military Medal and the Distinctive Conduct Medal within two months of each other. Pte Macleod was born at Tolsta Chaolais, and it is worthy of note that he is the third of three cousins who have lost their lives in the war, the other two being Sgt Malcolm Macleod, Tolsta Chaolais, killed 9 May 1915; and Corporal Malcolm Macdonald RMLI, Shawbost, who was lost with HMS Vanguard.

James Macdonald Macrae, 78 Keith Street, Stornoway

Private JAMES DONALD MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 78 Keith Street, Stornoway
Next of kin: Roderick Macrae, of 78 Keith Street
Military unit: 52nd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 439719
Date of death: 23 November 1917 at the age of 28
Died of wounds in Etaples, France
Interred: Etaples Military Cemetery, grave XXX. M. 19
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, right panel

Date of birth: 23 March 1889
Height: 5 ft 7½ in
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Blacksmith
Volunteered at Port Arthur on 8 September 1915
James Donald Macrae appears on the 1891 census as James S Macrae at Keith Street, living with his parents Roderick and Barbara. In 1901, the address is given as 80 Keith Street, and the 15-year old is a telegraph messenger. He was one of a large family. They are listed as John (34), Johanna (30), Colin (28), Annie Jane (26), Roderick (24), Peter (22), Charles (19), William (17), and Alexander (15).

Alexander Donald Morrison, 76 Keith Street

Lance Corporal ALEXANDER DONALD MORISON
Served as John Murray
Son of William and Anna Murray Morison, of Stornoway; husband of Margaret Donald Morison, of 35, St. George's Square, London.
Last address in Lewis: 76 Keith Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Service number: 27217
Date of death: 6 July 1916 at the age of 37
Killed in action
Interred: Gorre British and Indian Cemetery, grave II. A. 15.
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel
A Pharmaceutical Chemist.

Enlisted in London, is quoted as being born at Glasgow.

John Alex Macaskill, 75 Keith Street, Stornoway

Signaller JOHN ALEX MACASKILL
Last address in Lewis: 75 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Mrs. Christina Macaskill, of 75, Keith St., Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Navy Voluntary Reserve, HMS Vivid
Service number: Clyde Z/8453
Date of birth: 7 March 1899 at Liverpool
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 19
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Sandwick Cemetery, Southeast, Old Ground, 125
Local memorials: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, left panel; St Peter's Episcopal Church memorial



St Peter's Episcopal Church memorial

Norman Macleod, 69 Keith Street, Stornoway

Private NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 69 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Duncan Macleod (of 28 Tolsta Chaolais) and Isabella Macleod, of South Lochs
Service unit: B Coy. 7th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/40465
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 12 October 1917 at the age of 24
Killed in action in France
Interred: Poelcapelle British Cemetery, grave XV. F. 10
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial and Tolsta Chaolais Memorial

Alex Macrae, 57 Keith Street, Stornoway

Signaller ALEX MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 57 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Isabella MacRae, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis; brother of Mary MacRae, of 57 Keith St., Stornoway.
Service unit: A Bty., 250th Bde. Royal Field Artillery
Service number: 227285
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 14 August 1918 at the age of 32
Died as POW in Germany
Interred: Chauny Communal Cemetery, British extension Sp. Mem. No 9
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, middle panel
Had been been in POW-camp since 23 April 1917

His brother James served with the Gordon Highlanders.

Alexander and James appear on the 1901 census at 63 Keith Street, the sons of Isabella Macrae, a baker's widow. Donald appears to have died between the censuses of 1891 and 1901. In 1891, Donald is a baker, aged 58, at 51 Keith Street. Isabella, then aged 47, had six children: John (24), Donald (22), Isabella Ann (20), Mary (13), James (5) and Alex (4). The older children tally with the 1881 census.

Donald Macritchie, 46 Keith Street, Stornoway

Cooper 4th class DONALD MACRITCHIE
Last address in Lewis: 46 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Murdo and Christina Macritchie;
Husband of the late Jane Maciver Macritchie of 57 Coll
Native of Leurbost
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Service number: M/23885(CH)
Date of birth: 20 April 1889
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 29
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Sandwick Cemetery, grave K. 1910. 479
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Donald Macleod, 42 Keith Street

Seaman DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 42 Keith Street, Stornoway
Also quoted at 2 Crossbost
Son of Malcolm Macleod, husband of Henrietta
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Dreel Castle
Service number: 1427/SD
Date of birth: 1867
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 50
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire, was never found
Local memorials: Lewis War Memorial and North Lochs, Crossbost

Norman Crichton, 40 Keith Street, Stornoway

Second Lieutenant (Revd) NORMAN CRICHTON, MA
Last address in Lewis: 40 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of William Crichton of 40 Keith Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 4th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3134
Date of death: 14 November 1916 at the age of 28
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Mentioned on family gravestone in Eye Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, left panel

Kenneth Donald Montgomery, 39 Keith Street, Stornoway

Guardsman KENNETH DONALD MONTGOMERY
also known as Kenneth Dan
Last address in Lewis: 39 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Isabella Montgomery, of 39, Keith St., Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Scots Guards
Service number: 15678
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 30 March 1919 at the age of 20
Died in hospital of pneumonia following influenza
Interred: Sandwick Cemetery, grave G. 1886. 1149
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel
Gassed November 1917, had attack of influenza while with Army of the Rhine, which developed into bronchopneumonia

The 1901 census shows Kenneth Donald, aged 2, at 47 Keith Street, with his parents Donald (a tailor and clothier) and Bella as well as his five older siblings Angus (16), Mary (12), Christina (10), Angusina (8) and John Murdo (6). John Murdo joined the Seaforth Highlanders voluntarily on 16 August 1914, was wounded on 25 September 1915 and in October 1917.

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.  

Alexander Donald Macdonald, 37 Keith Street

Private ALEXANDER DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 37 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Donald and Mary Macdonald
Service unit: 14th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Service number: S/11513
Enlisted at Glasgow
Date of death: 25 April 1917 at the age of 37
Died of wounds
Interred: Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, grave V. C. 4.
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, left panel

Alex Donald was mentioned in a tribute in the Stornoway Gazette in 1917 to his brother George Mckenzie Macdonald, also of 37 Keith Street. The relevant parts:

[...] 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.

Malcolm Murray, 18 Keith Street, Stornoway

Sergeant MALCOLM MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 18 Keith Street
Next of kin: Mrs Nicholson, of 6 Crawford St, Partick, Glasgow
Military unit: 8th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 1505
Date of death: 24 June 1916 at the age of 40
Cause of death: Died in hospital at Shorncliffe
Interred: Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, grave T. 416
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, right panel

Date of birth: 22 June 1876
Height: 5 ft 7 in Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black / grey
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Cook

Not marriedVolunteered at Valcartier on 30 September 1914

Had been in the Navy for 14 years before going to Canada, where he joined up on the outbreak of war. Went into firing line in January 1915.

John Conning, 17 Keith Street, Stornoway

Private JOHN CONNING
Last address in Lewis: 17 Keith Street
Next of kin: David / Flora Conning, Parents, of 16 Francis Street
Military unit: 31st Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment)
Service number: 696659
Date of death: 18 November 1917 at the age of 26
Cause of death: Died of wounds in France
Interred: Etaples Military Cemetery, grave XXX. L. 24
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, left panel

Date of birth: 16 June 1890
Height: 5 ft 11¾ in in Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Light brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Gardener
Current address: Walsh, AL
Not married
Next of kin: David / Flora Conning, Parents, of 16 Francis Street
Volunteered at Medicine Hat on 12 April 1916

The 1901 census shows the family in Garden Cottage, in (what the census refers to as) Lewis Castle Policies.
David Conning (47) is a gardener. He was born at Haddington, East Lothian. His wife Flora was Stornoway born, and 13 years younger than her spouse. They had six children at the time of the 1901 census, namely: Violet (10), John (9), Charles (8) and Lily (8), and James (1). Charles and Lily were NOT twins; they were born a year apart in 1893 and 1894.

Charles Conning also served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He was injured and invalided out, but rejoined the armed services in the trawler section of the Royal Naval Reserve.

Stornoway Gazette
Mr David Conning, merchant and fruiterer, Francis Street, formerly head gardener at Lewis Castle, received official notification that his eldest son, Pte John Conning, of the Canadian Infantry, who had been wounded in action about the 7th of November, died in hospital at Etaples on the 18th November. Pte Conning, who was 26 years of age, followed his father's occupation of gardener in the home country, being employed for some time at Beaufort Castle, and afterwards at Ardross Castle. About seven years ago, he emigrated to Canada. His younger brother, Charles, had gone to the Dominion a year earlier, and latterly was successfully farming  and was employed on a ranch adjoining his brother's farm. Eighteen months ago, he enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Forces, and a few months later his brother, abandoning his farm, also joined up for the service of the Motherland. Both have been fighting in Flanders for some time. One of their sisters, Florence, is at munitions works in Glasgow. The news of John's death was received with deep and widespread regret in Stornoway, and the sincere sympathy of the whole community goes out to Mr and Mrs Conning and their family in their great and irrepairable loss.

Angus Graham, 14 Keith Street, Stornoway

Private ANGUS GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 14 Keith Street
Next of kin: Angus Graham, Father, of Stornoway
Military unit: 8th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 438016
Date of death: 14 June 1916 at the age of 26
Cause of death: Killed in action in France
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Date of birth: 17 August 1889
Height: 5 ft 5½ in Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Brown
Religion: Church of England
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Volunteered at Port Arthur on 18 December 1914

Had been in the Navy for 14 years before going to Canada. Joined up at start of war and went to firing line in January 1915

John Carson, 13 Keith Street, Stornoway

Able Seaman JOHN CARSON
Last address in Lewis: 13 Keith Street, Stornoway
Service unit: Royal Navy, HMS Defense
Service number: Clyde Z/3621
Date of birth: 24 September 1889
Date of death: 31 May 1916 at the age of 30
Killed in action in Battle of Jutland
Memorial: Portsmouth Naval, panel 24,
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, left panel

John Carson can be traced on the 1891 census in the town of his birth, Helensburgh. He was the son of Matthew and Annie Carson from 6 West Clyde Street. A decade later, the family (which includes John's younger sibling Jessie) is at 5 Keith Street, Stornoway. He is a van boy aged 15.  Apart from his sister Jessie (aged 11), he has a younger sibling, Martha (6).

I am not 100% certain of this census search, due to the discrepancy of address.
The Roll of Honour for HMS Defence quotes John Carson as a member of the RNVR.

Ian Macdonald, 12 Keith Street, Stornoway

Private IAN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 12 Keith Street, Stornoway
Son of Alexander and Janet Macdonald
Service unit: 17th Royal Scots, Lothian Regiment
Service number: 59146 (formerly 57482, H.L.I.)
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 25 May 1918 at the age of 19
Killed in action in France
Interred: Martinsart British Cemetery, grave I. D. 13.
Mentioned on family gravestone in Sandwick Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, left panel

Stornoway Gazette
Mr and Mrs Alexander Macdonald, Keith Street, have received official intimation that their younger son, Pte Ian Macdonald, Royal Scots, had been killed in action in France. It seemed only yesterday that Ian was on the school benches - he was only 18 years - and the news that his young life had been nipped in the bud sent a thrill of pain through the community, and the deepest sympathy went out from all hearts to the stricken parents. Pte Macdonald was called to the colours in October last, and was attached to the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Afterwards, he was drafted into the HLI, with whom he went to France in the first week of April, without even getting draft leave home. In France, he and some forty others of his battalion were attached to the Royal Scots. So far, the only information received by his parents is a field postcard, dated 8th May, from his commanding officer with the bare intimation of his death. At the forenoon service on Sunday, Rev Mr Mills alluded to the sad event, and at the Town Counncil meeting on Monday, Provost Maclean made fitting reference to it before commencing the ordinary business. Mr and Mrs Macdonald's elder son, Rae, is acting Captain in the RE. He was mobilised in 1914 with the Cameron Territorials, and has been through all the stiffest fighting, having many miraculous escapes.