Hector Martin, 43B Leurbost

Seaman HECTOR MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 43B Leurbost,
Son of Donald and Christina Martin, of 43, Leurbost
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Wallington
Service number: 12121/DA
Date of birth: 13 June 1898
Date of death: 1 July 1918 at the age of 21
Died of influenza
Interred: Crossbost Cemetery
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost

Hector appears in the 1901 census, aged 3, the son of Donald (50) and Christy (45) and brother of Murdo (15), Roderick (9) and Mary (7).

Stornoway Gazette, 12 July 1918
On Tuesday 2nd July 1918, the sad news reached Leurbost of the death of Hector Martin, HMT, 29 years of age), 43 Leurbost. Only a few days before, a letter had been received from deceased himself, with the information that he was in his usual health. It is understood that he contracted the mysterious disease meantime so prevalent in all parts of the kingdom, which later developed into pneumonia. The remains were brought to Stornoway and were interred in Crossbost Cemetery on Sunday 7 July. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents who have another son, Neil, in hospital for over a year, suffering from trench fever.

Malcolm Martin, 21 Balallan

Gunner MALCOLM MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 21 Balallan,
Son of Donald and Christina McAulay Martin, of 21, Balallan, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Service number: 12067/DA
Date of birth: 12 August 1880
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 38
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Laxay Cemetery, Lochs, in northwest part
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

Was engaged in Argentine and Patagonia sheep farming at outbreak of war. Applied for exemption from service as conscientious objector, but was refused.

Malcolm appears in the 1881 census, aged 1, the son of Donald (37) and Christina (28), as well as brother Roderick (3). In 1891, Malcolm is the eldest of four children, the others being Finlay (7), Maryann (4) and Murdo (2). In 1901, that list is extended to include Roderick J (9), Barbara (7), Marion (4) and Christina (2).

His brother Finlay served in the RAF, he was wounded Sep 1916 on the Somme; invalided home Dec 1916; first Lewisman to join Air Service; present at Loos and other engagements

John Martin, 1 Fivig, Bragar

Deckhand JOHN MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 1 Fivig, Bragar,
Son of Mrs. Mary Martin, of 1, Fevig Bragar, Lewis.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Vanessa II
Service number: 21431/DA
Date of birth: 9 August 1900
Date of death: 25 October 1918 at the age of 18
Died in Liverpool
Interred: Bragar Old Churchyard

John appears in the 1901 census, aged 8 months, at 1 Feevig, son of Donald (34) and Mary (32), grandson of Angus (60) and Ann Macaulay (57) and brother of Murdo (8), Donald (4) and Mary (2).

Stornoway Gazette, 22 November 1918 The remains of the late John Martin, seaman RNRT, arrived in Bragar on Tuesday of last week from an English seaport. Youn gMartin had only recently joined the service, caught the influenza and other complications followed, with the result that he succumbed after ten days' illness. He was a young man of excellent repute, cheerful and bright, and a great favourite with young and old. He was buried in Bragar Cemetery. Great sympathy is felt for his widowed mother, brothers and sisters in their sad bereavement.

Norman Martin, 30 Upper Shader

Private NORMAN MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 30 Upper Shader,
Service unit: Scots Guards
Date of death: 19 June 1916 at the age of 34
Killed in action in France
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

Norman appears in the 1891 census, aged 9, at 37 Upper Shader, the son of John (49) and Christina (46) and brother of Christina (19), Catherine (12), Isabella (7) and Roderick (6 months). 

His brother Roderick served in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and survived the war.

Norman was a regular soldier in the Scots Guards.  For some reason he left the regiment and rejoined later under another name.  John Macdonald (he may or may not have used the same address). He was wounded and died the following day in 1916.  He was a piper but not sure if he piped for the regiment [info courtesy Ness Historical Society].

Although a John Macdonald, serving in the Scots Guards (reg 11333) is listed as dying on 19 June 1916, his place of birth is quoted as Glasgow.

Alexander Martin, 33 Lower Shader

Seaman ALEXANDER MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 33 Lower Shader
Son of John and Mary Matheson Martin;
Husband of Mary Macleod Martin, of 33, Lower Shader
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Rugby
Service number: 3059/A
Date of birth: 10 July 1888
Date of death: 27 November 1918 at the age of 30
Died in an accident
Interred: Greenock Cemetery, grave F. Recess 41
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

Alexander appears in the 1891 census at Lower Shader, aged 2, with his parents John and Mary (aged 47) and elder siblings Angus (17), Peggie (16), Murdo (13), Mary (9), Donald (8), Katie Ann (7) and John (5).

Norman Martin, 8 Lower Shader

Seaman NORMAN MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 8 Lower Shader,
Son of John and Margaret Martin; husband of Annie Martin, of 8, Lower Shader, Barvas, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Victory
Service number: 3397/C
Date of birth: 17 March 1876
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 42
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Barvas Old Churchyard
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve
Was on service since 1914

John appears in the 1881 census, at 9 Lower Shader, aged 4, the son of John (44) and Margaret (40) and brother of Margaret (15), Roderick (12) and John (7). 

His brother Roderick was in the RNR but was invalided home. His brother John was likewise in the RNR and was at the Battle of the Falklands.

Donald Martin, 76 North Tolsta

Corporal DONALD MARTIN
Domhnall, Mac Iain Mhic Dhonnchaid Sealgair
Last address in Lewis: 76 North Tolsta,
(Only) son of John and Isa Martin, of 76, North Tolsta, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Cameron Highlanders
Service number: 3/5347
Enlisted at Inverness
Date of death: 9 July 1915 at the age of 21
Killed in action in France
Interred: Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, grave III. P. 3
Mentioned on family gravestone in North Tolsta Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: North Tolsta

Donald Martin, 59 Back

Image (c) Martin family (Canada)

Private DONALD MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 59 Back,
Son of Allan and Christina Martin, of 59, Back, Lewis, Scotland.
Service unit: 26th Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
Service number: 375
Date of death: 29 July 1916 at the age of 28
Killed in action
Memorial: Villers-Bretonneux Memorial,
Mentioned on family gravestone in Gress Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Back

Son of Allan Martin
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Dark
Occupation / trade: Sailor

Joined up at sea
Date of attestation: 14 April 1915
Age at attestation: 27 years

Donald is shown in the 1901 census aged 13, at 59 Back, with his parents Allan (42) and Christina (41) as well as his sibilngs Norman (12), Catherine (9), Malcolm (6) and Marion (2).

His brother Malcolm served in the Gordon Highlanders and survived the war.

Alexander Martin, 13 Portvoller

Sergeant ALEX MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 13 Portvoller,
Son of Malcolm and Catherine Martin
Service unit: C Coy, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 316888
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 23 October 1916 at the age of 22
Killed in action in France
Interred: Guards' Cemetery, Lesboeufs, grave VIII. D. 4.
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

The 1901 census shows Alick at his grandparents' house at 13 Portvoller. They were Alex (70) and Cathrine. His parents Malcolm (34) and Cathrine (35) are also present, as were young Alex's siblings John (8), Kate (4) and Malcolm (1).

His brother John served with the Ross Mountain Battery and survived the war.

Donald Martin, 11 Portvoller

Seaman DONALD MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 11 Portvoller,
Son of William and Annie Martin, of Portvoller, Point, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Service number: 6803/A
Date of birth: 1 March 1894
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 21
Drowned in sinking of ship
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 14
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)
Enlisted after outbreak of war and had just completed 3 months' service

Roll of Honour places him at 18 Portvoller. The 1901 census shows Donald as a 7-year old at 11 Portvoller with his parents William (37) and Annie (38) as well as his siblings Kate (9), William (3) and Annie (1).

His brother William served in the RNR and survived the war.

Norman Martin, 28 Knock, Point

Gunner NORMAN MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 28 Knock, Point
Son of Murdo and Christina Martin, of 28, Knock, Point, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, SS Camellia
Service number: 6347/A
Date of birth: 13 September 1894
Date of death: 8 December 1917 at the age of 22
Lost at sea
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 26
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)
Was transferred to a French warship

The 1901 census shows Norman as the 7-year old son of Murdo (39) and Christina (39). He is at 28 Knock with his sisters Catherine (14), Jessie (9), Mary Ann (3) and Christy (9 months)

Stornoway Gazette, 5 April 1918
Gnr Macdonald, RNR, 20 Knock; Gnr Norman Martin RNR, 28 Knock and Gnr Malcolm Macleod, RNR, 5 Knock have been lost. The sad news has cast quite a gloom over the whole district, and sincerest sympathy goes out to the bereaved families and friends. The loss of these three young lads within a fortnight of each other is a great blow to the district. They were kindly, manly fellows of sterling qualities , and of more than ordinary intelligence and ability, and most dutiful towards their parents and families.

We, in common with the rest of our island, are deprived of the best of our young and brave manhood, but let us contemplate what we owe to our gallant defenders, and to those who make the supreme sacrifice on our behalf [remainder of article illegible]

Donald Martin, Stornoway

Captain DONALD MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Regiment or division: Merchant Marine, SS Opal
Date of death: 18 December 1916
Ship sunk by U-80 off the Isle of Man
Memorial: Tower Hill