Private JOHN MACAULAY
"Iain an Sheorais"
Last address in Lewis: 4 Hacklet, Great Bernera
Son of Mrs. C. Macaulay, of 4, Hacklet, Bernera, Stornoway, and the late John Macaulay.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6755
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of birth: 27 May 1891
Date of death: 25 April 1915 at the age of 23
Killed in action at St Julien
Interred: Seaforth Cemetery, Cheddar Villa, grave B. 1. (Headstone "A" 38).
Local memorial: Great Bernera
Decoration(s):1915 Star
Joined the firing line in August 1914
John was one of the eight children of John and Christina, these being
Mary (1889, died aged 8 months), Neil (1893), Mary (1895),
Donald (1897), George Angus (1899), Murdo (1901) and Marion (1903).
His brother Donald was lost in the Iolaire Disaster of 1919. Neil
was also in the Seaforths but survived, as did George Angus, who was in
the RNR.
Battalion war diary 25 April 1915
The battalion has moved from Bailleul in France to a position near
Wieltje, northeast of Ypres in Belgium. Their involvement with the
battle starts today.
Very wet indeed.
Moved into position for attack at 4 am.
Attack commences at 5.30 am. Brigades from left to right. R Warwickshire
Reg - Seaforth Highlanders - R Dublin Fusiliers - R Irish Fusiliers.
Came under heavy fire when getting into position before attack commenced. Finally took up a position and dug in as well.
6.30 am Absolutely great except for a great deal of shelling on eastern
flank. Line readjusted and altered after dark. Trenches improved.From
right to left companies B C D
Very wet day till 8 am - fine afternoon. Weather was very hot and sunny. There was a great deal of shelling all the time.
Officers killed: 20
Killed: 61
Wounded: 239
Died of wounds: 12
Missing: 16
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