Donald Macleod, Knock, Point

Private DONALD MACLEOD
Last known address in Lewis: 18 Knock, Point
Son of Hector and Annie Macleod
Service unit: Canadian Infantry
Service number: 79110
Date of death: 4 August 1916 at the age of 28
Interred: Nunton Cemetery, Benbecula
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial, Parish of Stornoway, Point division

Date of birth: 9 June 1888
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Miner
Volunteered at Calgary on 16 November 1914

Donald (born 9 June 1888) and his siblings Alexander (1879), William (1880), George (1882), Isabella (1884), John (1886), Jessie (1890) and Mary (1893) were left orphaned following the death of their father through suicide in September 1894 (prompted by grinding poverty), and the death of their mothe on Christmas Day 1894. The children were taken in by the Quarrier Homes in Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, who emigrated them to Canada in 1896. The girls went on one ship, the boys on another. Each was adopted by a separate family in Ontario.

Donald joined up at Calgary and lost his life in the war. His remains were erroneously transferred to Benbecula, but when his coffin arrived for the attention of the relatives of a Donald Macleod in Gramsdale, that man's family had just that day had confirmation that he was still alive, so they refused to take charge of the coffin. It was finally interred a week later at Nunton as Commonwealth War Dead.

Donald Macleod from Gramsdale, Benbecula, survived the war and died in 1952.

Malcolm Macdonald, 18 Laxay

Private MALCOLM MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 18 Laxay
Son of John and Catherine Macdonald
Service unit: 16th Canadian Infantry
Service number: 21742
Date of birth: 14 August 1882
Date of death: 9 July 1921 at the age of 38
Interred: Winnipeg (Brookside) Cemetery, grave Mil. 337

Malcolm was an unmarried stonemason when he signed up with the CEF on 23 September 1914 at Valcartier.

He is described as follows:

Height: 5 ft 10½ in
Complexion: fair
Eyes: hazel
Hair: brown
Presbyterian

Malcolm was one of the children of John (1839) and Catherine (1850), the others being  Alex (1872), Angus (1874), Catherine (1878), Christina (1882), George (1888) Hector (1891), Jessie Ann (1880), John (1886),  Malcolm (1876) and an unnamed female infant who died in 1893 after only 6 days.

His brother George also served with the Canadians but was killed in action in 1918; his brother Hector was in the Seaforth Highlanders, and survived the war.

Murdo Mackinnon, 8 Ranish

Private MURDO MACKINNON
Last address in Lewis: 8 Ranish,
Son of Murdo McKinnon, of 8, Ranish Lochs, Stornoway, Scotland.
Service unit: 52nd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 439185
Date of death: 19 May 1916 at the age of 25
Killed in action in France
Interred: Maple Copse Cemetery, grave II. C. 11
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost

Murdo appears in the 1901 census, aged 10, the son of Murdo (43) and Mary (44), and brother of Sandy (16), Rodrick (12), Maryann (15), John (7), Malcolm (3) and John (3).

Four of his brothers, Roderick, John, Malcolm and John also served during the war, and survived. 

Highland News, 17th June, 1916

Raerinish War Casualties
To the severe losses sustained by this township in the war, two further casualties have to be added. The news has reached the village that Donald Macleod, son of Mr John Macleod, 11 Raerinish, has been killed in Mesopotamia. Donald Macleod, who was 19 years of age, was a private in the Seaforths. His brother Neil is, for the second time, reported wounded, this time seriously. Their father received the news of the casualties to his sons by two successive mails. At the same time the death of Murdo Mackinnon, in France, is announced. He was serving in the Canadians. He was twenty-five years of age, and one of five brothers taking part in the war, all of them being sons of Mr Murdo Mackinnon, 8 Raerinish.

Murdo Macleod, 7 Ranish

Private MURDO MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Ranish,
Son of Duncan J. and Betsy MacLeod, of 7, Ranish.
Service unit: B Coy. 43rd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 153873
Date of death: 7 June 1916 at the age of 30
Killed in action at the Somme
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 24, 26, 28, 30
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost

Date of birth: 14 October 1886
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Fair
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Dredgeman
Volunteered at Winnipeg on 29 September 1915
 
Murdo appears in the 1901 census, aged 13, the son of Duncan (45) and Betsy (40), and brother of John (17), Malcolm (11), Duncan (8), Catie (4) and Alexander John (2). 

His brothers John and Malcolm also served in the Canadians, but survived the war, as did Duncan ( RNR) and Alexander (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders).

Alexander Morrison, 20 Marvig

Private ALEX MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 20 Marvig,
Son of Alexander Morrison, of 20, Marvig.
Service unit: 29th Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Service number: 75281
Date of death: 16 September 1916 at the age of 39
Killed in action in France whilst bringing in the wounded
Memorial: Vimy Memorial,
Local memorial: Park, Kershader

Date of birth: 18 March 1872
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 4 in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Seaman
Volunteered at Vancouver on 9 November 1914
 
An ex-soldier, he served 14 years in the Seaforths. Saw service in India, Egypt and South Africa. Held several medals, one for life-saving.

Alexander was one of the children of Alexander (1836) and Christina (1855), the others being Donald (1882), Margaret (1863) and Norman (1866).

Neil Maclean, 14 Leurbost

Leading Seaman NEIL MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 14 Leurbost,
Son of Maggie MacLean, of 14, Leurbost, and the late Neil MacLean.
Service unit: Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve, HMCS Galiano
Service number: VR/5016
Date of death: 30 October 1918 at the age of 34
Lost at sea in shipwreck
Memorial: Victoria Memorial, Vancouver Island,
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost

Stornoway Gazette
In the Vancouver Daily Sun of 5 November 1918, among a list of 36 men missing from the patrol boat Galliano, which was wrecked off the coast of British Columbia, we observe the name of Neil Maclean, Stornoway, Scotland.

George Macdonald, 18 Laxay

Sergeant GEORGE MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 18 Laxay,
Son of John and Catherine Macdonald
Service unit: 5th Bde Canadian Field Artillery
Service number: 86167
Date of birth: 5 October 1888 
Date of death: 10 September 1918 at the age of 30
Died of gas poisoning in France
Interred: Aubigny Communal Cemetery extension, grave IV. B. 7.
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay
Served for some years in the Glasgow and Canadian Police Forces

Height: 6 ft 1 in
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Volunteered at Winnipeg on 9 December 1914

George was one of the children of John (1839) and Catherine (1850), the others being  Alex (1872), Angus (1874), Catherine (1878), Christina (1882), Hector (1891), Jessie Ann (1880), John (1886), Malcolm (1884), Malcolm (1876) and an unnamed female infant who died in 1893 after only 6 days.

His brother Malcolm also served with the Canadians but died in 1921; his brother Hector was in the Seaforth Highlanders, and survived the war. 

Stornoway Gazette, 4 October 1918
A deep gloom was cast over the village when the news spread that Mr John Macdonald ahd received word of the death of his son George, who died in France on September 10th, from gas poisoning. George, who was 30 years of age, well over six feet in height and built in proportion, spent a few years on the police force in Glasgow, from whence he emigrated to Canada over six years ago. He joined the Canadians in 1914, and was in France for nearly three years. Mr Macdonald has another two sons serving, Malcolm, who came over with the 1st Canadian Contingent and is still in France, while his youngest son, Hector, travelled all the way from South America at his own expense and joined the county regiment on his arrival in England. The deep sympathy of the whole community is extneded to the aged parents, brothers and sisters in their sore bereavement. 

Angus Maciver, 9A Laxay

Corporal ANGUS MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 9A Laxay,
Son of Angus and Mary MacIver, of Laxay
Husband of Jessie MacIver, of 2145, 10th Avenue West, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Service unit: 12th Field Coy Canadian Engineers
Service number: 504660
Date of death: 25 August 1916 at the age of 35
Killed in action
Interred: Spoilbank Cemetery, grave I. K. I.
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

Shot through the heart and killed instantly while giving an order in the trenches in France

Date of birth: 17 September 1881
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Fair
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Stonemason & bricklayer
Last address in Lewis: 9A Laxay
Marital status: Married
Next of kin: Mrs J Maciver, Wife, of 54, 5th Ave E, Vancouver
Volunteered at Vancouver on 21 January 1916
 
He had been a Director of the Gaelic Society in Vancouver and Financial Secretary and later Chief of the Clan Maclean Society.


Angus was one of the children of Angus (1843) and Mary (1847), the others being Alexander (1884), Donald (1879), Effie (1871), George (1885), John (1875), Kenneth (1877), Kenneth (1891) and Margaret (1873). 

Kenneth Macleod, 29 Laxay

Private KENNETH MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 29 Laxay
Son of Malcolm Mcleod, Laxay, Lochs
Service unit: 43rd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 859867
Date of death: 23 November 1918 at the age of 26
Interred: Thunder Bay (Mountain View) Cemetery, war plot
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

Date of birth: 14 March 1892
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 10 in
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Fair
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Bridgeman
Last address in Lewis: 2 Laxay
Current address: c/o D Campbell, B&B Dept, Can Govt, Ft William
Volunteered at Winnipeg on 28 March 1916 

Kenneth appears in the 1901 census, aged 9, the son of Malcolm (49) and Catherine (43) and brother of John (15), Donald (13), Murdo (11), Malcolm (7) and Christy M (3 months).

His brothers John and Murdo also served with the Canadians but survived the war.

Malcolm Macleod, 5 Kershader

Sergeant MALCOLM MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 5 Kershader,
Also quoted at 7 Kershader
Service unit: Canadians
Killed in action
Date of death: August 1917 at the age of 27
Local memorial: Park, Kershader
Went over early.

Malcolm is only listed on the Roll of Honour as a casualty; no corroboration can found in other sources.

John Mackay, 12 Keose

Private JOHN MACKAY
Served as Tom Martin
Last address in Lewis: 12 Keose,
Son of Donald and Margaret MacKay, of Keose
Service unit: 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles
Service number: 622326
Date of birth: 13 April 1887
Date of death: 5 June 1916 at the age of 30
Killed in action in France
Interred: Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, grave II. L. 9
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay
Decorations: Military Medal
Emigrated to Canada in 1903

Height: 5 ft 4 in
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Medium brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Bridgeman
Volunteered at Winnipeg on 3 May 1915 

John was one of the children of Donald (1859) and Margaret (1863), the others being Angus (1894), Catherine (1898), Donald Robert (1885) and Robert (1889).

His brother Angus served in the RNR, but was interned in Holland from October 1914. 

Donald John Macleod, 2 Habost, Lochs

Private DONALD JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 2 Habost, Lochs,
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Angus MacLeod, of 2, Habost, Locks, Stornoway, Scotland.
Service unit: 46th Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Service number: 255994
Date of death: 26 October 1917 at the age of 25
Killed in France
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 18 - 26 - 28
Local memorial: Park, Kershader; Nicolson Institute WW1, middle panel

Donald John was one of the children of Angus (1853) and Ann (1860), the others being Angus John (1888), Angus (1887), Angus (1883, died in infancy), Chirsty Ann (1898), Christina (1886), Colin (1892), John (1896), Malcolm (1895), Malcolm (1890) and Roderick (1884). 

His brother Colin was in the Ross Mountain Battery; Malcolm in the Cameron Highlanders and John in the  RNR.

Date of birth: 4 June 1894
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Dark brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Volunteered at Moose Jaw, SK on 11 July 1916

Donald Macdonald, 9 Gravir

Private DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 9 Gravir,
Son of Malcolm and Christina MacDonald, of 51, Balfour St., Glasgow, Scotland.
Service unit: 21st Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
Service number: 123779
Date of death: 16 February 1917 at the age of 24
Killed in action in France
Interred: Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St Eloi, grave IV. D. 14.
Local memorial: Pairc, Kershader

Date of birth: 9 November 1894
Place of birth: Glasgow
Height: 5 ft 2¾ in in
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Farmer
Next of kin: Malcolm / Christina Macdonald, Parents, of 51 Balfour St, Maryhill, Glasgow
Volunteered at Aylmer on 18 September 1915

Donald was one of the children of Malcolm (1856) and Christina (1858), the others being   Ann (1887), John (1890) and Roderick (1885).

His brothers Roderick and John served in the RNR, and Kenneth was a sergeant in the Highland Light Infantry. Roderick was lost at the Battle of Jutland.

Donald Macleod, Post Office, Crossbost

Private DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Post Office, Crossbost
Son of Donald and Jessie Macleod
Service unit: 28th Bn Canadian Infantry
Service number: 73933
Date of death: 6 June 1916
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 18 - 26 - 28

Date of birth: 20 October 1885
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 4½ in
Complexion: Dark ruddy
Eyes: Hazel brown
Hair: Black
Religion: Church of England
Trade / occupation: Teamster
Next of kin: D Mcleod, of 524 Wiley St, Ft William ON
Volunteered at Fort William, ON on 24 October 1914


Donald appears in the 1901 census, aged 19, the son of Donald (63) and Jessie (66), with siblings Roderick (24) and Isabella
 

Dugald K Mackenzie, 19B Crossbost

Private DUGALD K MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 19B Crossbost,
Service unit: 52nd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 441793
Date of death: 13 July 1916 at the age of 26
Killed in action in France
Interred: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, grave VIII. C. 20
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost

Date of birth: 7 March 1890
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Auburn
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Farmer
Current address: Kisby, SK
Volunteered at Winnipeg on 24 December 1915
 

Angus J Macmillan, 6 Crossbost

Private ANGUS J MACMILLAN
Last address in Lewis: 6 Crossbost,
Son of Donald and Janet MacMillan, of 6, Crossbost;
Husband of Marion MacMillan, of 63, Keith St., Stornoway.
Service unit: 46th Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Service number: 437751
Date of death: 25 April 1920 at the age of 34
Died of the effects of gas poisoning
Interred: Crossbost Cemetery
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost

Date of birth: July 1887
Place of birth: Crossbost
Height: 5 ft 5¼ in
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Volunteered at Edmonton on 3 September 1915

His brother John also served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force but survived the war; he was severely wounded in May 1916. 

William Bruce, 28 Cromore

Lieutenant WILLIAM BRUCE
Last address in Lewis: 28 Cromore,
Son of Mr and Mrs Hector Bruce, of 31 Bridge Street, Inverness
Service unit: 104 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Date of death: 25 May 1918 at the age of 28
Went missing whilst flying from England to France
Interred: Commercy French National Cemetery, North West part
Local memorial: Park, Kershader
He joined the Saskatchewan Regimental Depot, but was seconded to the RAF in 1917. 

Hector Bruce was head master of Cromore School in the Pairc area of Lewis from 1902 until 1918. He had seven children with his wife Margaret (nee Anderson), whom he had married at Golspie on 12 October 1888.
One of their sons, William, was born at Dalarossie Schoolhouse, near Inverness, on 14 June 1888.

After growing up, William emigrated to Canada and worked as a banker at the Head Office of the Union Bank of Canada in Winnipeg from 1908 until 1915. His military service record quotes his Canadian address as Plenty, Saskatchewan; which is nearly 600 miles west of Winnipeg.

William had enrolled in the Saskatchewan Regimental Depot, but was seconded to the Royal Air Force on 12 October 1917, and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 17 February 1918.

On 19 May of the same year, he left the aerodrome at Andover, England, for France. After proceeding for 50 miles, he was forced to land due to engine problems. When it had been repaired, he again started off on 25 May, and since then no further information concerning him was received.

William is marked as buried at the Commercy French National Cemetery, as the sole Commonwealth casualty. I presume he was found later, and interred at Commercy.
 

John Macleod, 39A Balallan

Piper JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 39A Balallan,
Son of Marion MacLeod, of 39A, Ballallan Lochs, Stornoway, Scotland, and the late Donald MacLeod.
Service unit: 67th Western Scots Canadian Infantry
Service number: 103327
Date of birth: 1 September 1881
Date of death: 8 February 1919 at the age of 37
Died of wounds in Canada.
Interred: Victoria (Ross Bay) Cemetery, grave N. 18E. T.
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay
Served in France for 2 years. Was wounded in France in January 1918, was invalided home to Canada.

Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 7½ in
Complexion: Sallow
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Iron grey
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Waiter
Last address in Lewis: 39A Balallan
Current address: Willows Camp
Volunteered at Victoria on 1 December 1915

John was one of the children of Donald (1837) and Marion (1840), the others being   Catherine (1867), Donald (1878), Isabella (1872), John (1881), Mary (1870), Roderick Donald (1890), Roderick (1874, died aged 10 months), Roderick (1876) and Roderick (1865, died aged 19 years).

His brothers Donald and Roderick Dan were also lost in the war, having served in the RAMC and the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. Roderick survived the war, having served in the Labour Battn. 

John Mackay, 6 Achmore

Private JOHN MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 6 Achmore,
Son of Neil and Mary Mackay, of 6, Achmore
Service unit: 29th Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Service number: 430655
Date of death: 26 August 1918 at the age of 36
Killed in action
Interred: Achicourt Road Cemetery, Achicourt, grave E.16
Local memorial: Crossbost
Decoration(s): DCM, MM

Date of birth: 25 December 1882
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 3 in
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Black
Religion: Church of England
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Volunteered at Victoria on 16 March 1915 

John is shown in the 1901 census at the home of this parents Neil (50) and Mary (47) with his siblings Angus (16), Mary Ann (15), Neilina (3), Roderickina (10), John Roderick (9), Catherine (7) and Malcolm Norman (4).

His brothers John and Malcolm served in the RNR, and Angus in the South African forces; these three all survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette
Mr Neil Mackay, 6 Achmore, has been officially notified that his eldest son, Pte John Mackay, Canadians, was killed in action on 26 August 1918. He was for 6 years in Vancouver prior to the outbreak of war. He came across in 1915 and had been 2½ years in the fighting line in France without a scratch, until the day he was killed. A chum from North Tolsta, in a letter to Mr Mackay, mentions he was killed by a shell along with two others. They were in a hot engagement at the time and had to be buried where they lay. That spot is now however far behind the fighting line. Mr Mackay's second son is fighting in France with the South African Scottish and his two younger boys are serving in the RNR. Much sympathy is extended to the bereaved family. 

Kenneth Mackay, 34 Valtos

Private KENNETH MACKAY
Coinneach Dhomhnaill ic Aoidh
Last address in Lewis: 34 Valtos,
Son of Donald and Christy McKay
Service unit: 7th Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Service number: 77351
Date of death: 1 November 1915 at the age of 43
Killed in action in Flanders
Interred: Berks Cemetery Extension, grave III. C. 48
Local memorial: Uig, Timsgarry
Had served as a volunteer in the South African War

Date of birth: 24 July 1876
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 6½ in
Complexion: Sallow
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Miner
Volunteered at Victoria on 10 November 1914 

Kenneth is one of the children of Donald (1828) and Chirsty (1836), the others being Donald (1865), Flora (1878), Jessie (1868), Kenneth (1872), Malcolm (1870) and Margaret (1863).