Malcolm Maciver, 28 Aignish

Deckhand MALCOLM MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 28 Aignish
Son of Malcolm Maciver
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Vigorous
Service number: 10235/DA
Date of birth: 20 December 1881
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 37
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Aignish / Eye Cemetery, E. 3. 12.
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Malcolm appears in the 1891 census, aged 9, the son of Malcolm (48) and Catherine (45), and brother of Catherine (16), Christina (13) and Colin F (7).

His brother Colin also served in the RNR but survived the war.

Donald Maciver, 26C Leurbost

Seaman DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 26C Leurbost,
Son of Murdo and Mary Maciver, of 26, Lurebost, Lochs, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Recepto
Service number: 3242/B
Date of birth: 20 November 1878
Date of death: 24 February 1917 at the age of 38
Died of pneumonia after being rescued from mined ship
Interred: Crossbost Cemetery
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost

Donald appears in the censuses of 1881, 1891 and 1901. In 1881, he is aged 3, the son of Murdo (38) and Mary (35), and has Mary (6) and Chirsty (1) as siblings.

Alexander Maciver, 26 Leurbost

Seaman ALEX MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 26 Leurbost,
Son of Donald and Margaret Maciver, of 26, Luerbost.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Viknor
Service number: 2523A
Date of birth: 2 June 1889
Date of death: 13 January 1915 at the age of 24
Ship sunk by mine
Mentioned on family gravestone in Crossbost Cemetery, Lewis
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 14

Alexander appears in the 1889 census, aged 1, the son of Donald (45) and Margaret (34), and grandson of Roderick (81) and Ann (74), at Trantom Cottage. Also present are his siblings Mary (10), Isabella (5) and Ann (4). A decade later, Johanna (8), Murdo (6), Roderick (5), George (2) and Donald (6 months) have joined the family; grandfather Roderick is aged 90 by that time.

His brother Roderick served in the Gordon Highlanders, and Murdo was in the RNR. These two survived the war. 

Donald Maciver, 12 Laxay

Corporal DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 12 Laxay,
Son of Murdo and Catherine Maciver
Service unit: 1st Scottish Rifles
Service number: 41042
Enlisted at Glasgow
Date of death: 23 September 1918 at the age of 27
Died of wounds in France
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

During an enemy attack he observed a party of the enemy advancing on a farmhouse which commanded the posts held by his Company. He at once moved his Section forward to a position covering the entrances to the house. He beat back several enemy attacks by the well-controlled fire of his Section, and his prompt action and initiative materially assisted his Company in holding their ground. For this he was awarded the DCM.

Donald was one of the children of Murdo (1843) and Catherine (1847), the others being  Alex (1884), Catherine (1876), Christina (1889), Colin (1886), John (1880) and Roderick (1879).

His brother Roderick served in the RNR, and Colin was in the Canadians; both survived the war.

Angus Maciver, 9A Laxay

Corporal ANGUS MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 9A Laxay,
Son of Angus and Mary MacIver, of Laxay
Husband of Jessie MacIver, of 2145, 10th Avenue West, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Service unit: 12th Field Coy Canadian Engineers
Service number: 504660
Date of death: 25 August 1916 at the age of 35
Killed in action
Interred: Spoilbank Cemetery, grave I. K. I.
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

Shot through the heart and killed instantly while giving an order in the trenches in France

Date of birth: 17 September 1881
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Fair
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Stonemason & bricklayer
Last address in Lewis: 9A Laxay
Marital status: Married
Next of kin: Mrs J Maciver, Wife, of 54, 5th Ave E, Vancouver
Volunteered at Vancouver on 21 January 1916
 
He had been a Director of the Gaelic Society in Vancouver and Financial Secretary and later Chief of the Clan Maclean Society.


Angus was one of the children of Angus (1843) and Mary (1847), the others being Alexander (1884), Donald (1879), Effie (1871), George (1885), John (1875), Kenneth (1877), Kenneth (1891) and Margaret (1873). 

Norman Maciver, 25 Valtos

Seaman NORMAN MACIVER
Tormod Thormoid Mhoir  
Tormod Thormoid Mhurchaidh
Last address in Lewis: 25 Valtos,
Son of Norman and Mary Maciver, of 25, Valtos Uig, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Inconstant
Service number: 3817A
Date of birth: 27 December 1886
Date of death: 6 February 1915 at the age of 28
Drowned after he was washed overboard
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 14
Local memorial: Uig, Timsgarry

Norman was one of the children of Norman (1853) and Mary (1857), the others being Alexander (1893), Barbara, Christina (1883), Donald (1885), Duncan, Mary Barbara (1897), Murdanie (1895) and Murdo (1888).

His brother Murdo was killed in 1916, serving with the Canadians; his brother Alexander was in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary service and Murdanie in the RNR. The latter two survived the war.

Murdo Maciver, 25 Valtos

Private MURDO MACIVER
Murchadh Thormoid Mhoir 
Murchadh Thormoid Mhurchaidh
Last address in Lewis: 25 Valtos,
Son of Norman and Mary Maciver, of 25, Valtos
Service unit: 13th Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment)
Service number: 132654
Date of birth: 7 August 1888
Date of death: 8 October 1916 at the age of 28
Killed in action in France
Interred: Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, grave V. D. 30. 
Local memorial: Uig, Timsgarry

Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Complexion: Light
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Light brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Helper
Volunteered at Montreal on 21 September 1915
 
Murdo was one of the children of Norman (1853) and Mary (1857), the others being Alexander (1893), Barbara, Christina (1883), Donald (1885), Duncan, Mary Barbara (1897), Murdanie (1895) and Norman (1886).

His brother Norman drowned in 1916, serving in the RNR; his brother Alexander was in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary service and Murdanie in the RNR. The latter two survived the war.

Angus Maciver, 4 Geshader

Seaman ANGUS MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 4 Geshader,
Son of Murdo and Marion MacIver, of 4, Geshader, Uig, Stornoway.
Service unit: Merchant Marine, SS Tagona
Date of birth: 7 January 1887
Date of death: 16 May 1918 at the age of 32
Ship sunk by U-55, 5 miles WSW of Trevose Head
Interred: St Minver / St Minifrida Cemetery
Local memorial: Uig, Timsgarry
Had previously been torpedoed in the Mediterranean

Angus was one of the children of Murdo (1847) and Marion (1848), the others being Ann (1881), Finlay (1879), Isabella (1883), Kenneth (1888), Kirsty (1877), Margaret (1884) and Marion (1892)

His brother Kenneth served in the RNR, but survived the war. 

Stornoway Gazette, 7 June 1918
Quite a gloom was cast over the whole district when the mail last Thursday morning brought intelligence to Murdo Maciver, 4 Geshader, that his son Angus had lost hid life on the 16th May through Hun barbarity, his ship being torpedoed somewhere between the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel. The steamer, which was sunk without warning, broke in two and floundered in forty seconds, it being impossible to lower any boats in such a short time. Unfortunately, eight members of the crew lost their lives, including the master, the second mate, chief and third engineer, Angus, another A.P., and two firemen. Angus was a general favourite with old and young. In his youth, he served as a monitor in Lochcroistean School with the utmost satisfaction to all concerned. He had been following a seafaring life for the past two or three years and had been torpedoed once before. The steamer he was serving on had been torpedoed in the Med off the Aegean Coast in August last year. Angus was on look-out at the time but saw the torpedo coming and escaped being thrown overboard. His crew at that time were picked up and landed by a French destroyer. The sympathy of the whole community goes out to the aged parents, brother and sisters in their bereavement

Donald Maciver, 9 Aird Uig

Seaman DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 9 Aird Uig,
Son of Norman and Annie McIver, of 9, Aird Uig, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Sarnia
Service number: 3821/A
Year of birth: 1890
Date of death: 12 September 1918 at the age of 28
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 30,
Local memorial: Uig, Timsgarry

Donald was one of the children of Norman and Anne, the others being Catherine (1882), Duncan (1893), John (1887), Margaret and Mary (1886).

His brothers Duncan and John were both gassed and wounded whilst serving; Duncan was in the Seaforth Highlanders, and John in the Australian forces.

Stornoway Gazette, 11 October 1918
Mr Norman Maciver, 9 Aird Uig, received the sad news that his son Donald was lost at sea on 12 September 1918. His ship was torpedoed in the Mediterranean on that day, and 57 other lives were lost, and 150 saved. Donald was an exceptionally fine character and his death was a very severe blow to his parents, to whom and to his brothers and sisters and other relatives the heartfelt sympathy of the community is extended. It is a great comfort to them that one of his brothers, Sergt Duncan Maciver, Seaforths, is at home with them now.

Additional note by DJ Macleod
Donald's father received notification of his son's death on HMS Sarnia on 12 September 1918. Some time later his mother received a letter written by Donald and also dated 12 September 1918. This raised hopes that he had survived the sinking of the vessel, but this was not the case. The letters from the Sarnia had obviously been collected shortly before the ship sank.

John Maciver, 21 Kirkibost, Great Bernera

Private JOHN MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 21 Kirkibost, Great Bernera
Son of Murdo and Ann Maciver
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of birth: 28 January 1893
Date of death: September 1918 at the age of 26
Killed in France
Local memorial: Great Bernera
Went to France in 1914. He had previously been wounded twice



John is one of the four children of Murdo and Ann, the others being Angus (1891), Alexander (1895) and Christina (1899).

His brother Alexander also served in the Seaforths, but was discharged in December 1914. His brother Angus served in the RNR.

Norman Maciver, 4 Breaclet, Great Bernera

Wireless Operator NORMAN MACIVER
Tormod Thormoid Bhig"
Last address in Lewis: 4 Breaclet, Great Bernera
Son of Norman and Mary Maciver
Service unit: Merchant Marine, SS Ben Lomond (aka Turnbridge)
Date of birth: 25 December 1897
Date of death: 7 July 1918 at the age of 21
Ship sunk by U-92, 30 miles SE of Daunts Rock, en route from Seville to Ardrossan
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial,
Mentioned on family gravestone in Bosta Cemetery, Great Bernera
Local memorial: Great Bernera

Had gone south to Glasgow at age 18 to study wireless telegraphy, and obtained a first-class certificate.
His brother John served in the Seaforth Highlanders, but was discharged wounded in 1917.

Norman appears in the 1901 census aged 3, at home with his parents Norman (35) and Mary (34) as well as siblings John (5) and Ann (1). He was the second of eight children, the others (born after April 1901) were Katie Mary (1901), Malcolm (1903), Donald Murdo (1905), Norman (1908) and Mary (1911).

Stornoway Gazette
It is presumed that Mr Norman Maciver, son of Mr and Mrs N Maciver, 4 Breaclet, lost his life on the 7th July, when the ship on which he was wireless operator, was unk off the Irish coast. It is sad beyond words to think that such a young life has been suddenly cut off at the outset of a career so full of happy prospects of usefulness and success, and with the sorrowing parents, brothers and sisters, his many friends mourn the loss of a young man, whose charming personality was a joy to all who knew him. In his boyhood Norman Maciver was most popular with his companions by whom, as well as by his teachers, he was held in affectionate esteem. He was a lad of parts and having made up his mind to continue his education, he was much disappointed when circumstances prevented his entering the Nicolson Institute. His disappointment made him all the more determined to get on through some other avenue, as later events proved. For a time after leaving school he was on the staff of the local post-office. Here his civility to the public, his genial courtesy and kindliness of disposition, won for him the respect and confidence of all classes in the community. In August 1916, he entered the Glasgow Institute of the North British Wireless Schools and in April of the following year he passed the Postmaster-General's examination and was awarded a first-class certificate. He then joined the Marconi Company's service.

To the parents, brothers and sisters the utmost sympathy is extended in the loss of a most dutiful and devoted son and brother of whom not only they but the whole district had reason to be proud.

Norman Maciver, 27 Garenin

Private NORMAN MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 27 Garenin,
Son of Mrs. Christina MacIver, of 27, Garenin, Carloway, Stornoway.
Service unit: 5th Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 3/5397
Enlisted at Inverness
Date of death: 12 October 1917 at the age of 26
Killed in action at Ypres
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 136 to 138
Local memorials: Carloway and Tolsta Chaolais

Donald Maciver, 25 Carloway

Private DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 25 Carloway
Son of Donald Maciver and Ann Macleod, of 25, Upper Carloway
Service unit: Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 64580
Date of death: 8 August 1921 at the age of 31
Died of tuberculosis at home
Interred: Dalmore Cemetery
Local memorial: Carloway

Donald appears in the 1901 census, aged 10, the son of Donald (43) and Annie (40), and brother of John (16), Mary (4), Murdo (8), Kenneth (5) and Angus (3).

His brothers Murdo and Angus served in the Seaforth Highlanders, and Kenneth was in the RNR. These three all survived the war.

Donald Maciver, 2 Carloway

Private DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 2 Carloway,
Service unit: 1st Cameron Highlanders
Service  number: 3/5611
Enlisted at Inverness
Date of death: 12 May 1915 at the age of 19
Killed in action at La Bassee
Interred: Bethune Town Cemetery, grave III. C. 56
Local memorial: Carloway
Had been at front since October 1914

Donald appears in the 1901 census at Carloway, aged 5, the son of Norman and Mary (both aged 40), and brother of Malcolm (13), Angus (11), Margaret (10) and Norman (1)

Malcolm Maciver, 14B Callanish

Private MALCOLM MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 14B Callanish,
Son of Donald and Margaret Maciver
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: 9 May 1915 at the age of 34
Killed in action at Ypres
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

Malcolm appears in the 1881 census aged 3, son of Donald (46) and Peggy [Margaret] (41), brother of Angus (10), John (8) and Mary (5).   A decade later, Malcolm (12) is marked as living at Callanish.

Donald John Maciver, 8 Callanish

Second Lieutenant DONALD JOHN MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 8 Callanish,
Service unit: 4th Cameron Highlanders
Date of death: 14 October 1915 at the age of 24
Interred: Le Treport Military Cemetery, plot 2, row O, grave 27
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish; Nicolson Institute WW1, left panel
Had been studying for the ministry at Edinburgh prior to enlisting

Donald John appears in the 1901 census, aged 9, the son of Christina (a shoemaker's wife) and brother of Neil (8), Maggie (6), Johanna (3) and John (1).



His brother Neil was in the Canadians and was wounded; his brother John served in the Ayrshire Yeomanry. Both these survived the war.

Malcolm Maciver, 40 Breasclete

Seaman MALCOLM MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 40 Breasclete,
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Victory
Service number: 2778/A
Date of birth: 19 January 1889
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 35
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Dalmore Cemetery
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

His brother Neil died of gas poisoning in 1915, having served in the Seaforth Highlanders; his brother John was in the RNR, but survived.  

Malcolm appears in the 1901 census at 40A Breasclete, aged 17, the son of Neil (55) and Christy (52) and brother of Malcolm (17), Mary (15), John (13) and Neil (10).

Neil Maciver, 40 Breasclete

Sergeant NEIL MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 40 Breasclete,
Son of Neil MacIver, of 40, Breasclete, Stornoway, Lewis.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6713
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 5 May 1915 at the age of 22
Died of gas poisoning
Interred: Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, grave Div. 19. C. 5.
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

His brother Malcolm was lost in the Iolaire in 1919, having served in the RNR; his brother John too was in the RNR, but survived.  

Neil appears in the 1901 census at 40A Breasclete, aged 10, the son of Neil (55) and Christy (52) and brother of Malcolm (17), Mary (15) and John (13).

John Maciver, 31A Breasclete

Lance Corporal JOHN MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 31A Breasclete,
Son of John Maciver, of 31, Breasclete, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7098
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 22 April 1916 at the age of 21
Killed in action in Mesopotamia
Memorial: Basra Memorial, Iraq, Panel 37 and 64
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

John appears in the 1901 census, aged 6, at 31A Breasclete, the youngest son of John (48) and Mary (46), and brother of Flora (19), Donald (15), Marion (12) and Maggie (9). 

His brother Donald also served in the Seaforth Highlanders, but was discharged due to wounds in 1917. 

Malcolm Maciver, 18 Breasclete

Private MALCOLM MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 18 Breasclete,
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/8180
Enlisted at Airdrie
Date of death: 28 April 1915 at the age of 29
Died of wounds in France
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate), panel 38,
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

His brother Charles served in the same unit, but was discharged due to wounds. His brother Murdo   was in the RNR but survived the war.

Battalion war diary for 28 April 1915
The battalion is involved in the 2nd battle of Ypres, in trenches to the northeast of Ypres
Being shelled by German aeroplane, brought down by R Irish Fusiliers on our right.