Robert Murray, 20 Church Street, Stornoway

Private ROBERT MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 20 Church Street, Stornoway
Son of Robert and Catherine Murray of Church Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 10th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Service number: 278909
Enlisted at Stirling
Date of death: 12 October 1917 at the age of 21
Killed in action
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 141 to 143 and 162
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel
Had previously been gassed on the Somme.
Also mentioned at North Tolsta; resident in London.

Stornoway Gazette, 2 November 1917
Tolsta people were very sorry to hear last week that Pte Robert Murray, A & S. Highlanders, had been killed in action last month. The deceased, who was 21 years of age, was the younger brother of Miss Maggie C. Murray, infant mistress in Tolsta Public School from 1909 to 1912. Robert attended the local school for a year while his sister was on the staff, and he was a general favourite amongst the people of the township. After returning home to London in 1911, he went in for engineering. He was a picture of health and vigour and was always cheerful and courageous. He enlisted three months after the war started. After being at the front for over a year, he was gassed and wounded. In his letters home, he always spoke of the Tolsta boys he used to meet in France. His parents, who are natives of Stornoway, have been residing in London for many years. The sympathy of the whole district is extended to the bereaved family.

Date of birth: 4 June 1896
Father lived in East Ham, London
Height: 5 ft 7 ins
Weight: 120 lbs
Complexion: Pale
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Dark brown
Religion: Presbyterian

Was wounded in November 1916
1914/15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal issued
Mother: Katharine
Father: Robert
Siblings: Angus, Maggie, Annie

Kenneth John Maclean, 33 Church Street, Stornoway

Private KENNETH JOHN MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 33 Church Street, Stornoway
Son of John and Rachel Maclean
Service unit: Gordon Highlanders, Depot
Service number: 3/6127
Date of death: 18 March 1919 at the age of 25
Interred: Sandwick Cemetery, northeast Old Ground, grave 427
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, middle panel

Mobilised with Gordons in 1914. Taken prisoner after the retreat from Mons, and was 4 years and 3 months as a prisoner in Germany.
Died at the Caledonian Hotel in Stornoway of heart failure. His father, John, was a journeyman tailor

Matthew Murray, 20 Church Street

Private MATTHEW MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 20 Church Street, Stornoway
Son of Neil and Mary Murray (nee McDonald), of 20, Church St., Stornoway.
Service unit: 13th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Service number: S/2630
Date of death: 8 September 1916 at the age of 28
Died of disease at home
Interred: Sandwick Cemetery, grave N. 1910. 1123
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel

Was connected to the army from boyhood. When barely 14 he enlisted in the Seaforth Militia as a bugler, and served 6 years in that capacity. Was 4 years in the Gordons (TF) joined voluntarily the A&SH when war was declared in 1914. While undergoing training he contracted rheumatic fever, was discharged on medical grounds, 25 July 1916.

Matthew appears in the 1901 census for Stornoway, aged 13. He is living at 47 Bayhead Street, Stornoway with his parents Neil (a tailor, 38), Mary (37) and  siblings Isabella (9), Alexander Donald (6), Murdo (4) and Neil (1 month). Also present are his nieces Barbara Mcdonald (9) and Katie Mcdonald (11).

His brother Alexander Donald was killed in action on 1 September 1918 whilst serving with the Australians.

Matthew and Alex Donald are both commemorated on this family gravestone at Sandwick

Alex Donald Murray, 20 Church Street, Stornoway

Private ALEX DONALD MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 20 Church Street, Stornoway
Son of Neil and Mary Murray, of 20, Church St., Stornoway, Ross-shire, Scotland.
Service unit: 24th Battallion Australian Infantry, Australian Imperial Forces
Service number: 6853/A
Date of death: 1 September 1918 at the age of 25
Killed in action by shrapnel
Interred: Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, grave VIII. B. 54
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel

Height: 5 ft 4¾ in
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Religious denomination: Presbyterian
Occupation / trade: Labourer

Joined up in Melbourne
Date of attestation: 28 September 1917
Date of birth: 4 November 1893

Alex Donald appears in the 1901 census for Stornoway, aged 6. He is living at 47 Bayhead Street, Stornoway with his parents Neil (a tailor, 38), Mary (37) and  siblings Matthew (13), Isabella (9), Alexander Donald (6), Murdo (4) and Neil (1 month). Also present are his nieces Barbara Mcdonald (9) and Katie Mcdonald (11).

His brother Matthew died at home on 8 September 1916.

Matthew and Alex Donald are both commemorated on this family gravestone at Sandwick