Donald Macdonald, 16 Knockaird

Private DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 16B Knockaird,
Son of Donald and Annie Macdonald, of 16B Knockaird, Ness, Stornoway.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7105
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 5 May 1915 at the age of 23
Died of gas poisoning
Interred: Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, grave II. D. 15
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Donald is shown in the 1901 census at 16 Knockaird aged 6 with his parents Donald (48), Annie (43) and siblings John (15), Margaret (13), Mary (11), Angus (8), Alexander (4) and Annie (6 months).

His brother Alex served in the RNR but survived the war. 

John Morrison, 12 Knockaird

Leading Seaman JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 12 Knockaird,
Son of Norman and Margaret Morrison, of 12, Knockaird, Ness, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMT David Conn
Service number: 21746/DA
Date of birth: 12 June 1900
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 18
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Old Ness Cemetery
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

His brother Angus also served in the RNR, but survived the war.

Angus Morrison, 7 Knockaird

Petty Officer ANGUS MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 7 Knockaird,
Son of Donald and Jessie Morrison
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Vivid
Service number: 5306/A
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 32
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire, was never found
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

His brothers John and Donald also served in the RNR, but survived the war. Donald clung to mast of the wrecked Iolaire for 8 hours until he was rescued.

Angus appears in the 1901 census aged 15 at 7 Knockaird, with his parents Donald (47) and Jessie (40) as well as siblings Henrietta (17), John (11), Gormellia (8), Annie (5) and Donald (2).

John Gunn, 5 Knockaird

Private JOHN GUNN
Last address in Lewis: 5 Knockaird,
Son of Murdo and Annie Gunn, of 5, Knockaird, Port-of-Ness, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7035
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 9 May 1915 at the age of 21
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Le Touret, panel 38 and 39
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

John is shown in the 1901 census of 6 Knockaird, where he is at the house of his mother's parents, Kenneth (73) and Margaret (70) Mcleod. Also present are his uncle Norman Mcleod and aunt Christina Mcleod. His parents are Murdo (37) and Annie (37) Gunn, and their children (apart from Donald) are Donald (6), John (5), Isabella (4) and Colin (2).

His brother Donald was killed in action in May 1917.

Donald Gunn, 5 Knockaird

Private DONALD GUNN
Last address in Lewis: 5 Knockaird,
Son of Murdo and Annie Gunn
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/7070
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 22 February 1917 at the age of 23
Memorial: Basra, panel 37 and 64
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Donald is shown in the 1901 census of 6 Knockaird, where he is at the house of his mother's parents, Kenneth (73) and Margaret (70) Mcleod. Also present are his uncle Norman Mcleod and aunt Christina Mcleod. His parents are Murdo (37) and Annie (37) Gunn, and their children (apart from Donald) are John (7), John (5), Isabella (4) and Colin (2). 

His older brother John was killed in action in May 1915.

Murdo Mackenzie, 3 Knockaird

Private MURDO MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 3 Knockaird,
Son of Henrietta and the late Donald MacKenzie, of 3, Knockaird, Port of Ness, Stornoway.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7286
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 10 May 1917 at the age of 22
Died of wounds at Etaples
Interred: Etaples Military Cemetery, grave XVIII. L. 11
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross


His brother Donald was killed in action in April 1915. 

Stornoway Gazette
The sad news has been received by telegraph that Pte Murdo Mackenzie, Seaforths, of 3 Knockaird, died of wounds at the 1st Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, on the 10th inst. He was in France since mobilisation and came through it all without a scratch until his death. His father died several years ago and his mother died last year shortly after receiving news of the death of her eldest son, Pte Donald Mackenzie, who was killed in action on 25 April 1915. The sole surviving member of the family is now the one and only sister, Dolina, for whom the greatest sympathy is felt in her sorrow in losing her mother and two brothers, all within two years, and also for the other relatives of deceased. It may be mentioned that the grandmother is still living. She has gone through sad experiences which seldom fall to the lot of anyone person in a lifetime. She has been widowed twice, buried five sons (all of whom had come to manhood), a son-in-law, and a daughter (the mother of those lads lost in France and of Dolina). She has met all these bereavements with a quiet and marvellous fortitude and Christian resignation. The township of Knockaird turned out and completed the croft work for the bereaved family, thus showing their sympathy in a practical manner.

Donald Mackenzie, 3 Knockaird

Private DONALD MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 3 Knockaird,
Son of the late Donald and Henrietta McKenzie.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6923
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 25 April 1915 at the age of 23
Killed in action at Hill 60
Interred: Seaforth Cemetery, Cheddar Villa, grave B.1. (Headstone "A" 41)
Local memorial: North Lewis (Ness)

His brother Murdo also served in the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders but died of wounds in hospital at Etaples in May 1917.

From the battalion's war diary
 The battalion has moved from Bailleul in France to a position near Wieltje, northeast of Ypres in Belgium. Their involvement with the battle starts today.

Very wet indeed.
Moved into position for attack at 4 am.
Attack commences at 5.30 am. Brigades from left to right. R Warwickshire Reg - Seaforth Highlanders - R Dublin Fusiliers - R Irish Fusiliers.
Came under heavy fire when getting into position before attack commenced. Finally took up a position and dug in as well.
6.30 am Absolutely great except for a great deal of shelling on eastern flank. Line readjusted and altered after dark. Trenches improved.From right to left companies B C D
Very wet day till 8 am - fine afternoon. Weather was very hot and sunny. There was a great deal of shelling all the time.

Officers killed: 20
Killed: 61
Wounded: 239
Died of wounds: 12
Missing: 16