Alexander James Macleod, Ardroil Farm

Private ALEXANDER JAMES MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Ardroil Farm
Son of the late Donald Alexander Macleod and of Julia F. Macleod, of 22, Forest Rd. Edinburgh. Born at Glasgow.
Service unit: Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment
Service number: 33545
Date of death: 24 May 1918 at the age of 23
Died suddenly at Sunderland
Interred: Glasgow (Eastwood) Cemetery Spec. Memorial
Local memorial: Uig, Timsgarry; Nicolson Institute WW1, middle panel

Shellshocked in France in March 1918. Alternative Commemoration - buried in Glasgow (Sighthill) Cemetery.

His brother Malcolm B was a surgeon-lieutenant  in the Royal Navy.

James Reid Wilson Macleod, Croir, Great Bernera

Corporal JAMES REID WILSON MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Croir, Great Bernera
Son of Neil Mackenzie MacLeod and Annie Davidson Brown MacLeod, of 24, Barrington Drive, Glasgow. Born at Montreal, Canada.
Service unit: Cameron Highlanders / 9th Scottish Rifles
Service number: 43347
Enlisted at Glasgow
Date of death: 23 March 1918 at the age of 24
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Pozieres Memorial, Panel 37 and 38
Local memorial: Great Bernera


James appears in the 1901 census at 1 Seafield Rd, in the registration district of St Peter in the parisih of Liff and Benvie, near Dundee. His parents Neil (37) and Annie (32) as well as his brother David T (4) are also shown.


His father was a lieutenant at the national recruiting centre in Glasgow. His brother David also served in the war.

James Macleod, Cross Roads, Callanish

Lance Corporal JAMES MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: Cross Roads, Callanish
Son of Isabella Macleod, latterly of 8 Mackenzie Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Service number: S/43023
Enlisted at Inverness
Date of death: 8 May 1918 at the age of 21
Killed in France
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, panel 141 to 143 and 162.
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

The Roll of Honour puts him at Garynahine, 2 miles east of Callanish.
James appears in the 1901 census, aged 4, at a cottar's house in Callanish, with his grand parents Malcolm (72) and Mary (6), uncle John (23) and mother Bella (26) as well as brother Angus (1).

In February 1912, he enlisted with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, and told the recruiting officer he was 17 years and 2 months. As James was born on 24 January 1897, he was in fact not much older than 15 years and 2 weeks. His height was 5 feet 3½ inches and only weighed 120 lbs, 54 kg.

Six years after joining the Argylls, James was killed in action near Ypres on 8 May 1918. His body was never recovered, but his name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot memorial at Zonnebeke, 6 miles northeast of Ypres.

His mother, Isabella, had moved to Stornoway by the time of the death of her son. When she gave birth, her occupation was marked as Domestic Servant. A few months after James had fallen, she wrote to the (Army) Records Office in Perth. The text of the letter is reproduced below. Part of it is illegible due to a hole in the paper, as shown in the scan.

"Mrs Bella McLeod
8 Mackenzie Street
Stornoway
16/8/1918

To Records Officer, Office Perth

Dear Sir,

Would you [...] me (his mother) of the late (killed in action (L/Cpl James Mcleod) 2 Bn Arg + Suth Hghns [Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders] Regt No S/43023 has any of his belongings come to hand. As far as I know, he had a wrist watch, Signet Ring, Pocket Folding mirror, Pocket Book or Wallet containing photos etc also a pocket knive [sic]. It would greatly oblige me if you could let me know at the earliest & how to  claim same.

I remain

Yours V. Truly
Mrs B. Mcleod"

The records do not relate whether the items, if any, were returned to Bella. She received a claims form, which was sent back to Perth, but that is were the records for James Macleod end. 

James Macritchie, 5 Swainbost

Private JAMES MACRITCHIE
Last address in Lewis: 5 Swainbost,
Son of Murdo Macritchie, of 49, Swainbost, Ness, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7288
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 31 May 1915 at the age of 18
Killed in action at La Bassee
Interred: St Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue, I. D. 9
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

James is shown in the 1901 census, aged 4, at the house of his grandparents Kenneth (61) and Mary (64) Maclean. Also present are his parents Murdo (35, fisherman) and Cathrine (34) as well as his sister Annie (2) and cousin Annie (7). 

James Beaton, 40 Coll

Private JAMES BEATON
Last address in Lewis: 40 Coll,
Son of James and Isabella Beaton.
Service unit: 43rd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 859871
Date of death: 17 April 1917 at the age of 22
Date of death in above image is incorrect
Killed in action
Barlin Communal Cemetery extension, grave I. A. 35
Local memorial: Back

His brother Alexander was lost in the Iolaire Disaster; his brother Murdo served in the RNR and survived the war.

Date of birth: 27 May 1894
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Sectionman
Current address: Gross Isle, Manitoba
Volunteered at Winnipeg on 29 March 1916
Had served in the South African war and joined the Canadians as a private

James Macrae, 49 Benside

Private JAMES MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 49 Benside,
Son of Colin Macrae
Service unit: 7th Seaforth Highlanders 
Service number: S/13263
Enlisted at Fort George, Inverness
Date of death: 12 October 1916 at the age of 42
Killed in action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15. C
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

James appears in the 1901 census at 48 Barvas Road, born at Shawbost, the son of Coline (sic), aged 53; and his siblings Roderick (25), Joseph (23), Colin (16), William (14) and Annie M (21).

His brothers Joseph and Roderick also served in the Army (in the Camerons and Seaforths respectively) but survived the war.

Joseph James Mair, 2 Shell Street, Stornoway

Private JOSEPH JAMES MAIR
Last address in Lewis: 2 Shell Street, Stornoway
Son of James Mair and his wife Margaret Murray, of 2 and 3, Shell St., Stornoway, Scotland.
Service unit: Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train
Service number: 404
Date of death: 28 February 1919 at the age of 32
Died in Melbourne, after being discharged due to non-service related injury in 1917.
Interred: Brighton General Cemetery, Victoria, Presb. N. Grave 88
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel

Height: 5 ft 8¾ in
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Black
Religious denomination: Presbyterian
Occupation / trade: Seaman

Joined up in Melbourne
Date of attestation: 26 July 1915
Age at attestation: 33 years

Brother of Hugh Murray Mair, who was killed in action in France in 1917.

The Mair family, who lived in the backhouse of 3 Shell Street, Stornoway comprised of 7 children in 1901. Elsie (15), Joseph J (14), Maggie (13), Williamena A (11), Hugh M (10), Victoria (7) and Eliza J G (5). Their parents were James (52), a fishcurer, originally from Portknockie, Banffshire; and Stornoway-born Maggie (45).

James Macdonald Macrae, 78 Keith Street, Stornoway

Private JAMES DONALD MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 78 Keith Street, Stornoway
Next of kin: Roderick Macrae, of 78 Keith Street
Military unit: 52nd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 439719
Date of death: 23 November 1917 at the age of 28
Died of wounds in Etaples, France
Interred: Etaples Military Cemetery, grave XXX. M. 19
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, right panel

Date of birth: 23 March 1889
Height: 5 ft 7½ in
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Blacksmith
Volunteered at Port Arthur on 8 September 1915
James Donald Macrae appears on the 1891 census as James S Macrae at Keith Street, living with his parents Roderick and Barbara. In 1901, the address is given as 80 Keith Street, and the 15-year old is a telegraph messenger. He was one of a large family. They are listed as John (34), Johanna (30), Colin (28), Annie Jane (26), Roderick (24), Peter (22), Charles (19), William (17), and Alexander (15).

James Stewart, 10 Bells Road, Stornoway

Private JAMES STEWART
Date of birth: 27 September 1890
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 8½ in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Dark brown
Hair: Black
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Teamster
Last address in Lewis: 10 Bells Road

Not married
Next of kin: Murdo Stewart, of Plantation Road

Military unit: 5th Canadian Infantry Battalion
Service number: 623154
Volunteered at Winnipeg on 4 June 1915

Date of death: 26 September 1917  at the age of 26
Cause of death: Killed in action
Memorial: Vimy Memorial
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, right panel


Stornoway Gazette
Mr Murdo Stewart, 3 Francis Street, has now been officially informed that his son , Pte James Stewart, Canadians, who was reported missing on 26th September, was killed in action on that date. This is Mr Stewart's second bereavement through the war, his son, Pte Donald Stewart, Seaforth Highlanders, having been killed in action in France on 16th October 1914. Both lads were 25 years of age at the time of their death. Another son, Neil, is serving in the Patrol Section, RNR, and is presently stationed in the Mediterranean. Mr Stewart has the sincere sympathy of the whole community in his sore trial.

The 1901 census shows James aged 10, son of Murdo (33, carter) and Mary (41) at 73 Keith Street in Stornoway. In 1891, they lived at 7 Stag Road, not far away from that end of Keith Street. James's siblings were Donald (11), Catherine Bell (9), Neil Murdo (7) and Maggie Mary (4).

James's older brother, Donald, is remembered on this page on this site.

James Wilson, Stornoway

Chief Engineer JAMES WILSON
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Service unit: Merchant Marine, SS St Ola
Date of death: 8 April 1918 at the age of 59
Died of natural causes at Stromness

James Parker Anderson, Stornoway

Second Lieutenant JAMES PARKER ANDERSON
Last address in Lewis: Glen House, Stornoway
Son of William Anderson and Mary Parker, married to Mary Glen Alexander
Service unit: 4th (Reserve) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 26 December 1918 at the age of 34
Died of illness at Edinburgh
Was a teacher
Interred: Perth (Wellshills) Cemetery, grave C (P2) 25
Memorial: Nicolson Institute WW1 memorial, left panel