Donald Matheson Fraser, Uig Manse

Image (c) Comann Eachdraidh Uig

Private DONALD MATHESON FRASER
Last address in Lewis: Uig Manse, Baile na Cille
Son of Duncan Fraser, of Achnairn, Lairg, Sutherlandshire, and of the late Mary Matheson Fraser.
Service unit: 2nd Royal Scots
Service number: 18744
Date of death: 26 September 1917 at the age of 25
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, panel 11 to 14 and 162
Local memorial: Uig, Timsgarry

Donald appears in the 1891 census at the Gamekeepers House in Durness, the 1-year old son of Duncan (33) and Catherine (31), and brother of John (5), Annie (3) and Isabella (2). A decade later, we also find Ellen (8), John (4) and Alexander (1). The elder John, aged 5 in 1891, does not feature in this census.

Donald Matheson Fraser was born in 1891 in South Gairloch in Wester Ross, a son for Duncan Fraser (a gamekeeper) and Mary Matheson. By 1914, Mary is no longer alive. Donald is a student at the Heriot School in Edinburgh. On 9 December of that year, he joins the Royal Scots and is sent to the Western Front. With the exception of a gunshot wound, sustained in 1916, and a few episodes of illness, Donald comes through the campaign unscathed. But on 26 September 1917, he is reported missing, which is quickly changed to killed in action.

His father has by then moved to Invershin, a small village in Sutherland near Lairg, and receives the news of the death of his son. Donald's personal effects are sent to Duncan, which includes religious books, a wallet, a photo, letters and a bible.

Donald is remembered on the Tyne Cot memorial in Flanders, but his exact last resting place is unknown. He is also commemorated on the memorial at Timsgarry in Uig, Lewis.

Donald Mackay, 6 Carloway

Regimental Sergeant-Major DONALD MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 6 Carloway,
Son of Neil and Christina Mackay, of Stornoway, Lewis.
Service unit: 12th Royal Scots
Service number: 28522
Formerly 7107 Seaforth Highlanders
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 9 April 1917 at the age of 21
Killed in action
Interred: Ste Catherine British Cemetery, grave A. 11.
Local memorial: Carloway

Mobilised with 3rd Seaforths at start of war; crossed to France in early stages and was severely wounded at Neuve Chapelle. After recovering from wounds, he was transferred to the Royal Scots and served with them in the Balkans and in Egypt. Returned to France June 1916, and was again wounded twice. He was promoted Regimental Sergeant Major at the age of 21.

Donald appears in the 1901 census at Carloway, aged 6, the son of Neil (46) and Christy (45) and brother of Angus (14), Mary (12), Maggie (10), Annie (8) and Chirsty (3).

His brother Angus served in the US Army and survived the war.

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.