Walter Armstrong Bruce, Knockiandue Schoolhouse, Keose

Serjeant WALTER ARMSTRONG BRUCE
Last address in Lewis: Knockiandue Schoolhouse, Keose
Son of William and Agnes E (nee Armstrong)
Born at Langwell, Caithness
Service unit: 5th Black Watch
Service number: 2063
Enlisted at Montrose
Date of birth: 11 March 1889
Date of death: 19 June 1915
Killed in action
Interred: Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, grave D. 40.
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

Walter was born at Latheron, Caithness, and appears in the 1891 census, aged 2 at the Berriedale Estates, Inver Berriedale (north of Helmsdale). He is the grandson of John (56) and Estherina Armstrong (57), the son of Agnes E (26) and nephew of Charles Armstrong (30), Ellington (27), Janet (22), Ralph, Margaret A (19) and John A (16). 

A decade later, in 1901, Walter is an 12-year scholar at Nigg Public School in Ross & Cromarty. He lives with his parents William (38) and Agnes (30) and his younger siblings John (9), Christina (7) and Esterine (4). The family lived at Keose from 1892 until September 1894.

Roderick Smith, Post Office, Keose

Private RODERICK SMITH
Last address in Lewis: Post Office Keose,
Son of Angus and Alexanderina Smith
Service unit: 7th Cameron Highlanders
Service number: S/23900
Date of death: 28 July 1917 at the age of 24
Died of wounds at Ypres
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

Wounded in the right hand, necessitating the amputation of one finger. After recovered, engaged as a clerk behind the lines. Died in field ambulance on the way to hospital of wounds received in action around Ypres. Was engaged in the drapery trade in South Wales before joining up.

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.