Alasdair, Mac Choinnich Mhic Dhomhnaill Mhic Iain
Last address in Lewis: 56 North Tolsta,
Son of Kenneth and Mary McLeod, of 56, North Tolsta, Stornoway.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/9220
Date of death: 3 May 1917 at the age of 28
Killed in action
Interred: Roeux British Cemetery, grave A. 16.
Mentioned on family gravestone in North Tolsta Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: North Tolsta
Leaves a widow and 2 children.
Resigned from Edinburgh Constabulary to join up after death of his brother Angus
Alexander is shown in the 1901 census aged 11, with his parents Kenneth (55) and Mary (52) as well as his siblings Barbara (25), Donald (22) and Angus (16). The address is quoted as 56 New Street [Tolsta].
His brother Angus was killed in action in 1915, which prompted Alexander to join up in his stead. He too was killed, in 1917. Murdo served as a chaplain in the YMCA and US Army. Donald served in the RNR and survived the war.
From the battalion's war diary
Zero hour 345 am when a heavy bombardment of enemy's position started, lasting for an hour. Barrage then crept forward very slowly. Bn left their trenches at 430 am being in support to the Household Battalion who were to capture the cemetery north of ROEUX. The R. Warwickshire Regt were on the left of HB and R Irish Fusiliers on left of Seaforths support to R. War Regt. 1st Somerset Light Infantry were on the right and were to capture village of ROEUX. On reaching BLUE line which was just west of DELBAR WOOD the Battalion moved to their right until left of each wave was opposite NW corner of DELBAR WOOD where a halt was made until ZERO+85 = 5.10 am, when they advanced to capture the RED line, east of DELBAR and HAUSA WOOD, immediately west of PLOUVAIN. This attack unfortunately failed owing to both flanks being held up with severe losses and later on the whole brigade line was forced to withdraw to original frontline. The Bn came back to CRETE trench. This was the position until dusk when the Battalion was sent to relieve the Household Battalion in CEYLON trench from its junction with CORONA trench, to its junction with COX trench. Coy S Major Fraser was in charge of the line as all officers taking part in these operations had become casualties. The Commanding Officers, Adjutant, Medical Officer and 3 other officers becoming casualties by the same shell. The Commanding Officer remained with the Batt until theh arrival of Major N. B. Orr from 1st line transport about 630 pm who then took command, being joined later on by 2 other officers from the divisional reinforcement ramp at SAVY.
During the night 3rd/4th May, the Bn held and improved the line while a working party of Irish Fusiliers endeavoured to estalibhs a line of posts from west edge of cemetery to a point in CORONA trench. The HB continued this line of posts southwards and also held the front line from munction of CORONA and CEYLON to junction of COX and front line. The Irish Fusiliers held the front line to the left of the HB.
Stornoway GazetteThe sad news has been received that Pte Alexander Macleod, Seaforths, youngest son of Mr Kenneth Macleod, merchant, 56 North Tolsta, was killed in action on the 3rd May. The deceased was 28 years of age and prior to enlisting in July 1915 had been a policeman in Edinburgh. Alick was a typical soldier- strong, fearless and manly. When he heard the news that his brother Angus had been killed in action, he wrote home to his mother saying that was [he] to enlist at once in his brother's regiment to fill the gap. He was wounded last summer, but returned to the front in the autumn. He leaves a widow and two children, who reside in Edinburgh, and to them, as well as to his parents, brothers and sisters, the heartfelt sympathy of the community is extended. This is the third son lost by Mr and Mrs Macrae [sic] have lost in this war, and another son is at the moment lying in hospital in England. The Tolsta district has lost 26 men, or 13 percent of those serving.
No comments:
Post a Comment