John Macfarlane, 27 Kenneth Street, Stornoway

Private JOHN MACFARLANE
Last address in Lewis: 27 Kenneth Street, Stornoway
Son of J. F. and Annie J. Macfarlane, of Stornoway.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/43197
Date of death: 20 October 1916 at the age of 24
Killed in action in France
Interred: Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, grave II. E. 5
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial
Came from Monte Video, South America, to enlist.
Formerly 1447, Essex Yeomanry, enlisted at Colchester.
 
John Macfarlane appears as an 8-year old schoolboy in the 1901 census, living at 17 Kenneth Street with his father John F (56) and mother Annie I (46). He has three siblings, May (20), Jane (16) and Hudson T. (7). John senior is an inspector of poor, born at Barvas, who has been in that position since at least 1881. Further information here.

John's brother Hudson was killed in France on 28 March 1917, serving in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Stornoway Gazette
Private John Macfarlane was killed in action on 20 October 1916. He threw up a banking appointment in South America and crossed to England where he joined the Essex Yeomanry, later transferring to his home county regiment, the Seaforths, with whom he was serving upon being struck down. The heartfelt sympathy of the community goes out to the relatives, especially the sisters, in their very sore bereavement.