Peter Macaulay, 13 Sheshader

Private PETER MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 13 Sheshader,
Son of John Macaulay
Service unit: 4th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 202647
Enlisted at Fort George, Inverness
Date of death: 23 April 1917 at the age of 24
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 8
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Peter is shown in the 1901 census at 13 Sheshader as the 10-year old son of John (38) and Chirstina Macaulay (34) as well as the brother of Murdo (4) and Donald (1).

Murdo served in the Seaforth Highlanders and survived the war. Donald was in the RNR, but was lost in the Iolaire Disaster of 1919.

Stornoway Gazette, 1917
Lance-corporal Peter Macaulay, Seaforths, eldest son of Mr John Macaulay, 13 Sheshader, was killed in action on 23 April 1917. The deceased soldier, aged 25, joined the army 6 years ago and was in India when war began. He arrived in France with the first contingent from India in October 1914. He was at home for 6 weeks in the spring of 1915 with frostbite in both feet. Returning to the fighting line, he was wounded in both hands last June, necessitating a spell in hospital in Glasgow until recovery. Of an active and restless disposition and eager to be back in the fray, he volunteered to return to France, as soon as he recovered, and had been in the thick of the fighting until his death. His brother Murdo is in the Royal Scots, having been transferred to that regiment from the Seaforths. Another brother, Donald is in the RNR. Captain Hamilton-Harris, writing Lance-corporal Macaulay's mother, says:

"It is with profound regret I have to inform you of the death of your son, Lance-corporal Peter Macaulay in action. We were suddenly ordered to support another regiment which had attacked and carried a German grench in the morning of the 23rd April. The company came under extremely heavy shellfire, and your son fell with several other of his comrades. It will be some very slight consolation to you to know that he suffered no pain whatever. Your boy was a splendid soldier and a great support to his platoon. His loss is felt greatly in the company. The officers, NCO's and men of the company desire me on their behalf to tender their deepest sympathy to you during this great bereavement and pray that Almighty God in his tenderness and mercy will be with you, and help you to bear the great burden of sorrow so suddenly cast upon you".
His poor mother was about to send her dear boy the following lines, when the sorrowful news of his death arrived:

Brave son of mine!
As you fulfill
Your duty to your Land and King
My thoughts each hour are with you still
My love is yours through everything!
Hope on - as I do - day by day
Hope on, amid the battle's roar
Till comes the end for which we pray
And "Peace with Honour" rules once more.