Angus Paterson, 5 Upper Barvas

Private ANGUS PATERSON
Last address in Lewis: 5 Upper Barvas,
Son of Kenneth and Chirsty Macdonald Paterson, of Mission House, Geshader, Miavaig, Lewis. Native of Upper Barvas.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 1149
Enlisted at Fort George, Inverness
Date of death: 15 September 1914 at the age of 18
Killed in action in France
Interred: Crouy-Vauxrot French National Cemetery, grave A. 9.

Angus appears in the 1901 census, aged 4, the son of Kenneth (31) and Chirsty (30), and brother of Donald (6) and Kenneth (1½).

His brother Donald was a lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps; he had been wounded at Gallipoli in 1915, but survived the war.

From the battalion war diary
We find the unit at Ferme La Montagne, outside Bucy-le-Long, just east of Soissons in northern France. 

During the night and early morning we dug trenches, and altered their position, drawing them back in rear of the crest of the hill so that they were invisible to the enemy. The field of fire was not materially lessened, still remaining very bad (from 100 to 200 yards only), but the general line confirmed  better to the general line taken up by troops on our flanks - C & D corps relieved A & B after dark last night. Only intermittent shell fire was directed on us at first, and we were able to continue to improve our front line, as well as to dig in our supports and reserves. The tool cart had been brought up and we were able to make better shape at retrenching - about 11am heavy shrapnel fire was opened on us, followed later by very heavy high explosive shell fire. This luckily did very little damage as we were now well entrenched. There were a few casualties among men who were caught in the open - about 1pm, the fire weakened, and the afternoon was fairly quiet. After dark, work of improving trenches was continued, headcover and communication along the line being carried on with. The night was very wet but quite quiet. Heavy engagement on our left (French) and some firing on our right.

Killed: 2
Wounded: 6

William Macleod, 1 Upper Barvas

Private WILLIAM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 1 Upper Barvas,
Son of Donald and Catherine MacLeod, of 1, Upper Barvas, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 3/5573
Date of death: 1 May 1915 at the age of 24
Died in POW camp in Germany
Interred: Southwestern Cemetery, Berlin, grave XV. D. 4.

His brother John was killed in action in September 1916, also serving with the Camerons. His brother John also served with the Camerons, but survived the war. 

Donald Macleod, 1 Upper Barvas

Sergeant DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 1 Upper Barvas,
Son of Donald and Catherine Macleod, of I, Upper Barvas, Stornoway, Lewis.
Service unit: 1st Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 3/5219
Enlisted at Inverness
Date of death: 3 September 1916
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15B,
Decoration(s): DCM

His brother William died in a POW camp in Germany on 1 May 1915, serving with the Gordon Highlanders; his brother John also served with the Camerons, but survived the war.

Finlay Maciver, 54 Lower Barvas

Sergeant FINLAY MACIVER
Son of the late Kenneth and Eliza Maciver. B.Sc. (Aberdeen).
Last address in Lewis: 54 Lower Barvas (Barvas Cottage)
Service unit: 13th Yorkshire Regiment (formerly 199 Army Veterinary Corps)
Service number: 33890
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 22 March 1918 at the age of 24
Killed in action in France
Mentioned on family gravestone in Bosta Cemetery, Great Bernera
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 5
Local memorial: Nicolson Institute WW1, left panel

His brother James served in the US Army; his brother John A.served in the Ross Mountain Battery.  These two survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette, 12 April 1918
It was with feelings of deep regret that the people of this district [Barvas] learned of the death in action of Finlay Maciver, son of the gamekeeper, Mr Maciver. After a distinguished career at Aberdeen University, Finlay took his degree in agriculture in 1915 and soon afterwards enlisted voluntarily in the Veterinary Corps, where he attained the rank of sergeant. Some time ago, a number of members of that regiment were transferred to Infantry Regiments and he was attached to the 13th Yorkshires. On 21st March, his regiment went into the trenches and on the 22nd a shell, which landed on the fire bay, killed him and five others of his company.
During the short periods (during holidays which he had spent at Barvas) Finlay had endeared himself to all classes of the community and much sympathy is felt for the family in their sore bereavement.

Also mentioned in tribute to Nicolson Institute Old Boys

Norman Macdougall, 54 Lower Barvas

Private NORMAN MACDOUGALL
Last address in Lewis: 54 Lower Barvas,
Son of Mrs. Margaret McDougall, of 54, Lower Barvas, Stornoway, Scotland.
Service unit: 46th Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Service number: 437723
Date of death: 10 April 1918 at the age of 25
Killed in action in France
Interred: Roclincourt Military Cemetery, grave VI. B. 19
Mentioned on family gravestone in Barvas Cemetery, Lewis

Date of birth: 28 March 1883
Place of birth: Barvas
Height: 5 ft 5¾ in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Grocer
Volunteered at Edmonton on 21 August 1915
Norman appears in the 1901 census, aged 17, a postrunner, and the son of John (52) and Peggy [Margaret] (48) and brother to Isabella (23), Allan (14), Flora (12), Ann (9), Hugh (7) and Kenneth (3).

His brother Colin also served in the war; Hugh was with the Canadians and Kenneth with the RNR.  These three all survived the war.

Alexander Macdougall Hunter, 54 Lower Barvas

Private ALEX MACDOUGALL HUNTER
Last address in Lewis: 54 Lower Barvas (Barvas Inn)
Son of Robert Hunter, Barvas
Service unit: 5th Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Service number: 13746
Date of death: 24 May 1915 at the age of 25
Killed in action in France
Mentioned on family gravestone in Sandwick Cemetery, Lewis
Memorial: Vimy Memorial

Date of birth: 10 January 1890
Place of birth: Barvas
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Complexion: Ruddy
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Light brown
Religion: Church of England
Trade / occupation: Farmer
Volunteered at Valcartier on 17 September 1914


Alexander appears in the 1901 census, aged 11, at the Barvas Temperance Hotel, Lower Barvas, with his parents Robert (45) and Catharine (37) as well as his siblings John (14), Robert (13) and Catharine (5).  Also present are Robert's mother-in-law Ann Mitchell (69), who originates from Cowal in Argyll; his sister-in-law Jessie Mitchell (25); Maggie Mcdonald (17), a general servant, who came from the village of Barvas; and Robert Gillies (37), a schoolmaster who originates from Harthill, Lanarkshire. He is a boarder at the hotel.

Neil Murray, 52 Lower Barvas

Private NEIL MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 52 Lower Barvas,
Son of John Murray, of 52, Lower Barvas, Stornoway, Scotland.
Service unit: 8th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment), Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Service number: 578
Date of death: 26 September 1916 at the age of 30
Killed in action in France
Interred: Vimy Memorial

Date of birth: 16 March 1886
Height: 5 ft 9¾ in
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Carpenter
Volunteered at Ottawa on 20 August 1914 

Neil is shown in the 1901 census, aged 15, at home at 52 Lower Barvas, the son of John (52) and Chirsty (46), and brother of Donald (23), Catherine (17), Finlay (10), Chirsty Mary (7) and Ann (4½).

Finlay Macritchie, 46 Lower Barvas

Seaman FINLAY MACRITCHIE
Last address in Lewis: 46 Lower Barvas,
Son of John and Annie McRitchie, of 46, Lower Barvas, Stornoway, Ross-shire; husband of Catherine McRitchie, of 80, Greenfield St., Govan, Glasgow.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Invincible
Service number: 2512/B
Date of birth: 20 November 1884
Date of death: 31 May 1916
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 18,
Lost in Battle of Jutland

Finlay appears in the 1901 census at 46 Lower Barvas, aged 17, with his parents John and Ann (both aged 40) and his younger siblings William (14), Angus (11), Barbara (9), John (5) and Kenneth (2).

His brothers John and Kenneth also served in the RNR but survived the war.

Colin Smith, 43 Lower Barvas

Private COLIN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 43 Lower Barvas,
Son of Alex. Smith, of 43, Lower Barvas, Stornoway, Lewis, Scotland.
Service unit: 7th Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Service number: 446673
Date of death: 9 September 1916 at the age of 30
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Vimy Memorial

Date of birth: 20 May 1884
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Dark brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Volunteered at Calgary on 7 May 1915 

Colin appears in the 1891 census, aged 5, at home at 53 Lower Barvas with his parents Alexander (33) and Margaret (30) as well as his siblings Murdo (7), Malcolm (3) and Ann (1).  The 1901 census does not mention Margaret, but does show the additional siblings Donald (8) and Chirsty (6).

His brother Donald, who served in the Canadians as a piper, was severely wounded but survived the war.

Norman Matheson, 36 Lower Barvas

Private NORMAN MATHESON
Last address in Lewis: 36 Lower Barvas,
Son of Donald and Christina Matheson, of 36, Lower Barvas, Stornoway, Lewis.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6708
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 19 December 1914 at the age of 32
Killed in action
Interred: Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Guinchy, grave V. A. 4.


His brother Donald served in the RNR and survived the war.

From the battalion war diary
Attack on "Bulge" in Ploegsteert wood by 11th Brigade. Demonstration all along line by artillery, rifle, Machine Gun fire all day, culminating with attack at 2.30pm. No reply at all by Germans to our Demonstration, except  by artillery. Tremendous bombardment of the enemy's trenches after 2pm. Attack not altogether successful on account of the waterlogged state of the ground, but some ground was made. Relieved in the trenches about 10pm by R Irish Fusiliers. Very heavy downpour from dark till after midgnith. Billetted at ROMARTIN. [No arrangements made before and very dirty billets, got settled in about 2pm. One company (A) went on to billets in LA CRECHE].

Killed: 1
Wounded: 4

Allan John Morrison, 35 Lower Barvas,

Sergeant ALLAN JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 35 Lower Barvas,
Son of Alick Morrison, of 35, Lower Barvas, Stornoway.
Service unit: 6th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6973
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 11 April 1918 at the age of 22
Killed in action
Memorial: Ploegsteert Memorial, Panel 9
Decoration(s): DCM, awarded in March 1918 for conspicuous bravery in refusing to surrender his platoon to the enemy.
Wounded in 1915 and 1916

His brother Malcolm served in the RNR, his brother Donald was in the Canadians, his brother Alexander was in the  Trawler section of the RNR. These three survived the war.

Donald John Smith, 34 Lower Barvas

Gunner DONALD JOHN SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 34 Lower Barvas
Son of John and Annie Smith, of 34, Lower Barvas, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Marine Artillery
Service number: RMA/2585(S)
Date of death: 31 July 1919 at the age of 26
Interred: Barvas Cemetery

Donald Morrison, 32 Lower Barvas

Private DONALD MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 32 Lower Barvas,
Son of Colin and Flora Morrison, of 32, Lower Barvas, Stornoway.
Service unit: 5th Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 3/5221
Enlisted at Inverness
Date of death: 12 October 1917 at the age of 34
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 136 to 138

Norman Macleod, 31 Lower Barvas

Private NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 31 Lower Barvas,
Brother of Miss Margaret McLeod, of 31, Lower Barvas, Stornoway, Scotland.
Service unit: 85th Canadian Infantry
Service number: 2183381
Date of death: 2 September 1918 at the age of 30
Interred: Vis-en-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, grave I. C. 17
Killed in action in France

Date of birth: 1 August 1889
Height: 5 ft 8½ in Complexion: Ruddy
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Farmer
Current address: Souris, North Dakota, USA
Volunteered at Winnipeg on 30 March 1917

Norman Macleod, 28 Lower Barvas

Seaman NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 28 Lower Barvas,
Son of Norman and Ann Murray Macleod .
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Invincible
Service number: 2338C
Date of birth: 15 August 1880
Date of death: 31 May 1916 at the age of 34
Lost at the Battle of Jutland.
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 18

Norman appears in the 1891 census, aged 9, at 2 Lower Barvas, the son of Norman (54) and Ann (48) and brother of Chirsty (21), John, (16) and Catherine (13).  The 1901 census places the family at 28 Lower Barvas [Loch Street].

His brother John also served in the RNR, but survived the war. 

Murdo Murray, 22 Lower Barvas

Seaman MURDO MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 22 Lower Barvas,
Son of Murdo and Christina Murray
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 13 August 1918 at the age of 46
Died of influenza at home

Murdo appears in the 1881 census, aged 10, at 26 Loch Street (Lower Barvas), the son of Murdoch (42) and Christina (38) and brother of Ann (16), John (14), Mary (12), Margaret (8), Christina (6) and William (1).

Donald Macleod, 20 Lower Barvas

Seaman DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 20 Lower Barvas,
Son of Murdo and Catherine Murray MacLeod, of 20, Lower Shader, Barvas, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, SS Saxonia.
Service number: 3553/B
Date of birth: 8 July 1885
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 33
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Barvas (St Mary) Old Cemetery

Donald appears in the 1891 census, aged 5, at 10 Lower Barvas, the son of Murdo (36) and Catherine (38), and brother of Jessie (9), Malcolm (8) and Norman (3).

Kenneth Maclean, 16 Lower Barvas

Private KENNETH MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 16 Lower Barvas,
Son of Ann McLean
Service unit: 28th Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Service number: 604
Date of death: 1 October 1916 at the age of 30
Interred: Ste Marie Cemetery, grave Div. 3. I. 2


Date of birth: 10 November 1885
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Complexion: Florid
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Very dark brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Volunteered at Fort William, ON on 23 October 1914

Kenneth appears in the 1891 census, aged 5, at 14 Lower Barvas, the son of Norman (49) and Ann (45), and brother of James (16), Allan (11), Chirsty (7) and Ann (2).

Roderick Graham, 3 Lower Barvas

Seaman RODERICK GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lower Barvas,
Son of Angus and Peggie Graham, of Barvas, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Service number: 1815/C
Date of birth: 26 January 1869
Date of death: 30 December 1918 at the age of 43
Died of influenza in Chatham
Interred: Barvas (St Mary) Old Churchyard

Roderick appears in the 1881 census, aged 10, at 7 Loch Street (Lower Barvas), the son of Angus (54) and Margaret (50), and brother of Ann (24). Roderick also appears in the 1871 census, aged 2, son of Angus (42) and Margaret (40), and brother of Ann (15), Donald (10) and John (8).

Please note that the date and location of birth in UK, Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 is incorrect.

John Maciver, 3 Park, Barvas

Private JOHN MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 3 Barvas Park,
Son of Donald Maciver, of 3, Park Barvas, Stornoway.
Service unit: 6th Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 3/5358
Enlisted at Inverness
Date of death: 16 July 1917
Died of wounds
Interred: Dozinghem Military Cemetery, I. G. 7

John appears in the 1901 census at 3 Park Barvas, the 5-year old son of Donald (40) and Peggy [Margaret] Maciver (36), along with his sister Barbara (2). He would have been aged around 21 upon death.

Stornoway Gazette
Mr Donald Maciver, 3 Barvas Park, has received official intimation of the death in hospital of his son, Pte John Maciver, Camerons. Last year, John was seriously wounded in the head, the bullet having passed through his shrapnel helmet and penetrated his skull. He however made a speedy recovery and was sent to the front again. He was again wounded, this time so seriously that he succumbed to his injuries. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved family.