Leading Seaman ALEX MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 52 Lower Garrabost,
Son of Kenneth Mackay
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Merse
Service number: 4690B
Date of death: 22 May 1917 at the age of 31
Died in mining of ship
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 26
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)
Stornoway Gazette, 1917
Mr Kenneth Mackay, Free Church Elder, Garrabost, has received official
intimation that his son, Alexander Mackay, leading seaman RNR, was
killed when his ship was blown up through striking a mine in the Irish
Channel on 22 May 1917. For the past two years he had been doing patrol
duty in the Channel, with Holyhead as a base. At the outbreak of war he
was in Canada, and came over with the first batch of Naval Reservists in
answer to the mobilisation summons. Deepest sympathy is extended to his
widow (who herself is in a delicate state of health) and her child;
also to his father, who within a year has lost his wife and son. A son
and step-son also died in Canada within six months of each other some
years ago. Mrs Mackay has received the following letter from the
Rear-Admiral in command at Holyhead:
"Dear Mrs Mackay,
No doubt
you have already received from the Admiralty the sad news of the death
of your husband. On behalf of the officers and men attached to this
Base, I beg to offer you our deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement. A
memorial service was held here yesterday, which was attended by all the
officers and men and a great many of the local inhabitants".
The Rear-Admiral also enclosed a programme of the service.
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