John Thomson, 32 Aird Tong

Leading Seaman JOHN THOMSON
Last address in Lewis: 32 Aird Tong
Husband to Henrietta Thomson of Hillhead Cottage, Tong
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Isonzo
Service number: 2697B (Ch)
Date of death: 22 February 1917 at the age of 36
Drowned in the Mediterranean
Mentioned on family gravestone in Gress Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Back

Allan John Maciver, 29 Aird Tong

Private ALLAN JOHN MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 29 Aird Tong
Son of Alexander and Annie McIver, of 29, Aird of Tong, Stornoway.
Service unit: 3rd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/12964
Date of death: 11 December 1918 at the age of 21
Interred: Gress Cemetery
Local memorial: Back

John Macleod, 25 Aird Tong

Leading Seaman JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 25 Aird Tong,
Son of Peter MacLeod, of 25, Aird of Tong, Stornoway
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS "Clan MacNaughton"
Service number: 3092A
Date of birth: 20 March 1892
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 23
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 14
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial: Stornoway, Back Division, plaque 7

The 1901 census shows John (9) at home with his father Peter (38) and brothers Alex (4) and Angus (2).

His brother Alexander served in the Gordon Highlanders.
John was in Drake Bn, (RND A/214) from 17 September 1914. 

John Maciver, 22 Aird Tong

Acting Leading Signalman JOHN MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 22 Aird Tong
Son of John MacIver; husband of Catherine MacIver, of 22, Aird of Tong, Stornaway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, SS Highland Pride
Service number: 3072/C
Date of death: 9 April 1919 at the age of 36
Interred: Gress Cemetery
Local memorial: Back

Donald Macmillan, 21 Aird Tong

Private DONALD MACMILLAN
Last address in Lewis: 21 Aird Tong,
Son of Murdo and Margaret MacMillan, of 21, Aird-Tong; Stornoway, Lewis.
Service unit: 2nd Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 3/5968
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 7 June 1915 at the age of 20
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate), panel 38
Local memorial: Back

Donald is shown in the 1901 census as a 4-year old with his parents Murdo (35) and Peggy (36) as well as his siblings Katie (14), John (4) and Hector and Angus (2 months).

His brother John was killed in action in 1918, serving with the 5th Gordon Highlanders.

Stornoway Gazette, 22 November 1918
Mrs Macmillan, widow of Mr Murdo Macmillan, 21 Aird Tong, has received intimation that her son, John Macmillan, Camerons, was killed in action on 20th October on the Western Front. [...]. Her eldest son, Donald, has been missing since the early days of the war, when he took his share with the Gordons in stemming the Hun [...]. The sympathy of the whole community goes out to Mrs Macmillan who has been so sorely tried.

John Macmillan, 21 Aird Tong

Private JOHN MACMILLAN
Last address in Lewis: 21 Aird Tong,
Son of Murdo and Margaret McMillan of 21 Aird Tong
Service unit: 5th Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 3/5549
Enlisted at Inverness
Date of death: 20 October 1918
Missing, reported dead
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 136 to 138
Local memorial: Back

John is shown in the 1901 census as a 4-year old with his parents Murdo (35) and Peggy (36) as well as his siblings Katie (14), Donald (5), John (4) and Hector and Angus (2 months).

His brother Donald was killed in action in 1915, serving with the 2nd Gordon Highlanders.

Stornoway Gazette, 22 November 1918
Mrs Macmillan, widow of Mr Murdo Macmillan, 21 Aird Tong, has received intimation that her son, John Macmillan, Camerons, was killed in action on 20th October on the Western Frton. At the outbreak of war he although only 16 years of age, was in the Militia but on account of his age was held on home service until he attained the age of 18, when he was sent to France. He was of an exceedingly kind and gentle disposition, and a great comfort to his widowed mother, who has had many trials. Her eldest son, Donald, has been missing since the early days of the war, when he took his share with the Gordons in stemming the Hun [...]. The sympathy of the whole community goes out to Mrs Macmillan who has been so sorely tried.

Angus Macleod, 21 Aird Tong

Sergeant ANGUS MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 21 Aird Tong,
Son of George and Annabella Macleod
Service unit: 7th Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Service number: 428099
Date of death: 20 April 1917 at the age of 27
Interred: Wimereux Communal Cemetery, grave II. I. 17.
Local memorial: Back

Date of birth: 10 December 1892
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 8¾ in
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Volunteered at New Westminster, BC on 12 March 1915 

Angus is shown on the 1901 census as the son of George (52) and Annabella (51) at Aird Tong. Also present are his siblings Isabella (24), Allan (16) and Anne (11).

John Smith, 20 Aird Tong

Seaman JOHN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 20 Aird Tong,
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, H.M. Drifter "Star of Buchan."
Service number: 4942/B
Date of birth: 27 May 1884
Date of death: 20 October 1915
Died at sea
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 14
Local memorial: Back

Duncan Smith, 20 Aird Tong

Private DUNCAN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 20 Aird Tong,
Son of Angus and Annie Smith of Aird Tong
Service unit: 8th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/17741
Enlisted at Fort George, Inverness
Date of death: 26 August 1917 at the age of 31
Killed in action
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, panels 132 to 135 and 162A
Local memorial: Back

Duncan is shown in the 1891 census, the youngest (then aged 5) of the seven children of Angus Smith (50). The elder siblings are Catherine (19), Isabella (18), Anabella (17), Isabella (13), Christina Mary (10) and John (7).

Donald Finlayson, 19 Aird Tong

Seaman DONALD FINLAYSON
Last address in Lewis: 19 Aird Tong,
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Service number: 2289A
Date of birth: 16 September 1886
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 29
Drowned (vessel believed foundered in North Atlantic storm)
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 14
Local memorial: Back

Donald is shown at Aird Tong in the 1891 census, the 5-year old son of Angus (47) and Catherine (41) with siblings John (12), Murdo (11), Isabella (9½) and William (3½).

Donald is listed with Drake Bn, Royal Naval Division, A/206 as of 17 September 1914

Norman Macfarlane, 9 Aird Tong

Private NORMAN MACFARLANE
Last address in Lewis: 9 Aird Tong,
Son of the late Alexander and Mary MacFarlane.
Service unit: 8th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 438413
Date of death: 23 June 1917 at the age of 33
Died in Quebec
Interred: Winnipeg (Brookside Cemetery), grave Mil. 67.
Local memorial: Back

Date of birth: 4 April 1884
Height: 5 ft 8¼ in
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Carpenter

Volunteered at Port Arthur on 1 April 1915 

Norman is shown in the 1891 census as a 6-year old scholar at home with his parents Alexander (40) and Mary (36) as well as his siblings Maggie (8), Norman (6), Annie (4) and Alexander (3 months). A decade later, the family also includes two brothers named John (aged 7 and 4). Mary, by then aged 45, is listed as head of the household.

His brothers Alex and John also served in the war, in the RNR and Seaforths respectively, and survived.

Donald Macdonald, 8 Aird Tong

Private DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 8 Aird Tong,
Son of John and Mary Macdonald, of 50, Tong, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 317293
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 9 May 1915 at the age of 19
Killed in action
Memorial: Le Touret Memorial, Panel 38 and 39
Local memorial: Back

His brother Samuel was killed in action two months earlier in the war, also serving in the Seaforth Highlanders.

Samuel Macdonald, 8 Aird Tong

Private SAMUEL MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 8 Aird Tong,
Son of John and Mary MacDonald, of 50, Tong, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6933
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 12 March 1915 at the age of 23
Killed in action
Memorial: Le Touret Memorial, Panel 38 and 39.
Local memorial: Back

His brother Donald was killed two months later in the war, also serving with the Seaforth Highlanders.

John Macdonald, 6 Aird Tong

Private JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 6 Aird Tong,
Son of Mr. and Mrs. John MacDonald, of 6, Aird Tong, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7063
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 17 March 1915 at the age of 22
Died of wounds
Interred: Wimereux Communal Cemetery, grave I. E. 5.
Local memorial: Back

John is shown on the 1901 census as a 7-year old, living with his father John (48, crofter and fisherman) as well as his siblings Alex (17), Norman (5), Anne (14) and Jessie (11).

His brother Norman served in the RNR but survived the war.