Donald William Gillies, 30 South Shawbost

Seaman DONALD WILLIAM GILLIES
Last address in Lewis: 30 South Shawbost,
Son of Angus and Mary Gillies
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve
Service number: 3309/A
Date of birth: 24 November 1888
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 28
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Bragar Old Church Yard and extension
Local memorial: West Side, Bragar

Donald William appears in the 1901 census, aged 12, at 30 South Shawbost, the son of Angus (60) and Mary (58), and brother of Murdo (27), Malcolm (16) and Kate (15).

His brother Malcolm was a petty officer in the RNR, who survived the war. 

Donald served in Hawke Bn (Royal Naval Division) C/493 from 16 September 1914 to 2 November 1914, then to Crystal Palace. HMS Pembroke from 5 November 1918 until his death.

Angus Gillies, 23 South Shawbost

Seaman ANGUS GILLIES
Last address in Lewis: 23 South Shawbost
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve,
Date of death: 1919 at the age of 29
Discharged due to illness, of which he died.

The 1891 and 1901 censuses show an Angus Gillies, born around 1887, the son of Malcolm and Ann, but living at 47 North Shawbost. Too little information is available to make a definite connection.

John Angus Gillies, 19 North Shawbost

Private JOHN ANGUS GILLIES
Last address in Lewis: 19 North Shawbost,
Son of Kenneth and Ann Gillies, of 19, North Shawbost, Stornoway.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 317281
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 3 May 1915 at the age of 19
Killed in action at St Julien
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 38
Local memorial: West Side, Bragar
Decoration(s):1915 Star

John Angus appears in the 1901 census at 19 North Shawbost, aged 5, the son of Kenneth (46) and Ann (47) and brother of Chirsty Ann (9). 

From the battalion war diary
The battalion becomes engaged in a heavy battle at Roeux

Zero hour 345 am when a heavy bombardment of enemy's position started, lasting for an hour. Barrage then crept forward very slowly. Bn left their trenches at 430 am being in support to the Household Battalion who were to capture the cemetery north of ROEUX. The R. Warwickshire Regt were on the left of HB and R Irish Fusiliers on left of Seaforths support to R. War Regt. 1st Somerset Light Infantry were on the right and were to capture village of ROEUX. On reaching BLUE line which was just west of DELBAR WOOD the Battalion moved to their right until left of each wave was opposite NW corner of DELBAR WOOD where a halt was made until ZERO+85 = 5.10 am, when they advanced to capture the RED line, east of DELBAR and HAUSA WOOD, immediately west of PLOUVAIN. This attack unfortunately failed owing to both flanks being held up with severe losses and later on the whole brigade line was forced to withdraw to original frontline. The Bn came back to CRETE trench. This was the position until dusk when the Battalion was sent to relieve the Household Battalion in CEYLON trench from its junction with CORONA trench, to its junction with COX trench. Coy S Major Fraser was in charge of the line as all officers taking part in these operations had become casualties. The Commanding Officers, Adjutant, Medical Officer and 3 other officers becoming casualties by the same shell. The Commanding Officer remained with the Batt until theh arrival of Major N. B. Orr from 1st line transport about 630 pm who then took command, being joined later on by 2 other officers from the divisional reinforcement ramp at SAVY.
During the night 3rd/4th May, the Bn held and improved the line while a working party of Irish Fusiliers endeavoured to estalibhs a line of posts from west edge of cemetery to a point in CORONA trench. The HB continued this line of posts southwards and also held the front line from munction of CORONA and CEYLON to junction of COX and front line. The Irish Fusiliers held the front line to the left of the HB. 

Angus Gillies, 35 South Dell

Seaman ANGUS GILLIES
Last address in Lewis: 35 South Dell,
Son of Alexander and Isabella Gillies, of 35, South Dell, Ness, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Seahorse
Service number: 4502A
Date of birth: 11 April 1889
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 30
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Ness (St Peter) Old Churchyard, Lewis
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Angus first appears in the 1891 census, aged 2, at the house of his grandfather John in South Dell. Also present are his parents Alex (30) and Isabella (34). 

His brother Donald was wounded, serving with the Seaforth Highlanders; his brother Allan also served in the RNR; these two survived the war. 

Donald Gillies, 31 South Dell

Sergeant DONALD GILLIES
Last address in Lewis: 31 South Dell
Son of Angus and Mary Gillies, of 31, South Dell, Ness, Barvas, Stornoway.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6683
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 4 October 1917 at the age of 23
Killed in action
Interred: Cement House Cemetery, grave XI. E. 26
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Previously wounded at Ypres in April 1915

Donald is shown in the 1901 census at 51 South Dell, the home of his grandparents John and Margaret (both aged 68), where his parents Angus (39, fisherman) and Mary (38) are also present. Donald's siblings Catherine (12), Margaret (5), Angus (3) and Norman also feature.

His brother Norman served in the Trawler section of the RNR, and survived the war.

From the battalion's war diary
The battalion is in action east of Ypres, conducting the battle of Broodseinde, the last battle of Passchendaele.

The Battalion formed up for attack by zero -1 hour on correct alignment in touch with 1st Hampshire on right and R Dublin Fusiliers on left. Coys were closed up to total depth of 120 yards to get clear of EAGLE trench which would have broken formations. Two leading platoons of each assaulting coy carried trench boards in cue of difficulty being found in crossing water and marsh between starting point and KANGAROO trench and LAUDETBEEK. Platoons were to advance in succession under cover of the creeping barrage at correct distances of 100yards between platoons and 150 yards between coys with moppers coy HQs 50 yards in rear of the platoon of each coy.

At zero hour (6 am) leading platoons advanced into barrage, but found great difficulty in keeping alignment owin to water forcing them to follow best ground or the marsh. This caused confusion and resulted in formation of assaulting coys being lost, especially on left where the leading wave walked into our own barrage. KANGAROO trench was reached without coys, platoons being able to disentangle themselves enemy who showed resistance being bayonetted and remainder being passed back. A total of about 25 men were taken prisoner on the front up to KANGAROO trench, including several men were killed by enemy barrage fire on their way back. The left assaulting coy came into some resistance and did not take many prisoners. Coy SM Bain killing 15 enemy to his own bayonet. As the advance proceeded coys endeavoured to regain formation but this was found to be impossible owing to confusion and the excited condition of the men. Up to BEEK STREET trench casualties were not heavy, but from that point onwards machine gun fire was encountered, from left flank generally and this fire caused considerable casualties, both coy commanders and 6 of their platoon commanders of the two left coys being put out of action. Continuing their advance towards their objective, the left coy captured the fortified houses and the right coy advance over 19 Metre Hill. The left coys were unable to advance further, where the remaining men established themselves in shell holes.  

Roderick Gillies, 20B South Dell

Seaman RODERICK GILLIES
Last address in Lewis: 20B South Dell,
Son of Murdo and Annie Gillies, of 20, South Dell
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMT St Leonard
Service number: 20647DA
Date of birth: 23 October 1899
Date of death: 7 January 1920 at the age of 20
Ship sank in a gale
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 32
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

His brother John served in the Seaforth Highlanders, and survived the war. 

Angus Gillies, 15 Lionel

Private ANGUS GILLIES
Last address in Lewis: 15 Lionel,
Service unit: 7th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/6517
Enlisted at Inverkeithing
Date of death: 10 October 1916 at the age of 28
Killed in action in France
Interred: Warlencourt British Cemetery, grave VII. L. II.
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Angus is shown in the 1901 census aged 12 at 17 Lionel, the son of Mary (49) and youngest brother of Christina (23), Donald (19) and John (8).  The 1891 census shows the family at 16 Lionel, with father Donald (42 at the time) and also Alexander (9).

His brother John, who also served in the Seaforth Highlanders, was killed  in France in 1917; his brother Alexander served in the RNR but survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette
Widow Mary Gillies, 15 Lionel, has received the sad news of the death of her son, Lance-corporal John Gillies, Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed in action on 23 April 1917. His death has caused widespread regret as he was of a most cheery disposition and a great favourite in the community. Widow Gillies lost another son, Angus (also Seaforths) who was killed in France on 2 October 1916. Another son, Alexander, is serving on board HMS Edinburgh Castle. The sympathy of the community goes out to widow Gillies on her double bereavement. 

John Gillies, 15 Lionel

Lance Corporal JOHN GILLIES
Last address in Lewis: 15 Lionel,
Son of Donald and Mary Gillies, of 15, Lionel, Port of Ness, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Service unit: 8th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7007
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 23 April 1917 at the age of 24
Killed in action
Interred: Guemappe British Cemetery, Wancourt, grave I. B. 26
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

John is shown in the 1901 census aged 8 at 17 Lionel, the son of Mary (49) and youngest brother of Christina (23), Donald (19) and Angus (12).  The 1891 census shows the family at 16 Lionel, with father Donald (42 at the time) and also Alexander (9).

His brother Angus, who also served in the Seaforth Highlanders, was killed  the previous year in France; his brother Alexander served in the RNR but survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette
Widow Mary Gillies, 15 Lionel, has received the sad news of the death of her son, Lance-corporal John Gillies, Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed in action on 23 April 1917. His death has caused widespread regret as he was of a most cheery disposition and a great favourite in the community. Widow Gillies lost another son, Angus (also Seaforths) who was killed in France on 2 October 1916. Another son, Alexander, is serving on board HMS Edinburgh Castle. The sympathy of the community goes out to widow Gillies on her double bereavement.  

Alexander Gillies, 14 Lionel

Private ALEX GILLIES
Last address in Lewis: 14 Lionel,
Son of John and Annie Gillies, of 14, Lionel Ness, Lewis, Scotland
Husband of Isabella Gillies, of 39, 28th Avenue West, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Service unit: 15th Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)
Service number: 77624
Date of death: 25 May 1915 at the age of 34
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Vimy Memorial,
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Had previously served with 3rd Seaforths

Date of birth: 20 July 1880
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 9½ in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Gray
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Marital status: Married
Volunteered at Victoria on 5 November 1914
 
Alex is shown in the 1891 census, aged 10, the son of John (40) and Annie (38), brother of Norman (9), Angus (6), Donald (4) and Annie (9 months).