Neil Maclean, 14 Leurbost

Leading Seaman NEIL MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 14 Leurbost,
Son of Maggie MacLean, of 14, Leurbost, and the late Neil MacLean.
Service unit: Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve, HMCS Galiano
Service number: VR/5016
Date of death: 30 October 1918 at the age of 34
Lost at sea in shipwreck
Memorial: Victoria Memorial, Vancouver Island,
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost

Stornoway Gazette
In the Vancouver Daily Sun of 5 November 1918, among a list of 36 men missing from the patrol boat Galliano, which was wrecked off the coast of British Columbia, we observe the name of Neil Maclean, Stornoway, Scotland.

Neil Morrison, 9 Calbost

Seaman NEIL MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 9 Calbost,
Son of John and Marion Morrison
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Clan MacNaughton
Service number: 3878/A
Date of death: 3 February 1915 at the age of 22
Drowned in sinking of ship
Local memorial: Pairc, Kershader
Survived the sinking of the Hermes

Neil was one of the children of John (1855) and Marion (1859), the others being Angus (1895), Ann (1885), Catherine (1890), John Murdo (1898), Malcolm (1900), Margaret (1887) and an unnamed child.

His brother Angus was in the Cameron Highlanders, and  John in the RNR. Both survived the war.

Neil Macdonald, 14 Balallan

Second Lieutenant NEIL MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 14 Balallan,
Son of Murdo and Catherine MacDonald, of 14, Balallan, Stornoway.
Service unit: 263rd Siege Battery RGA (Special Reserve).
Date of birth: 27 October 1894
Date of death: 25 April 1918 at the age of 24
Killed in action in France
Interred: La Clytte Military Cemetery, grave V. A. 22
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay; Nicolson Institution WW1, left panel
Decoration(s): MC

Neil is one of the children of Murdo (1862) and Catherine (1867), the others being Catherine Ann (1908), Donald (1911, lost in WW2), Donald (1896), John (1903), Margaret (1898), Marion (1901) and Murdo John (1905).

His elder brother Donald served in the RNR and survived the war.

Tributes 
Roll of Honour
Was awared MC for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when forward observation officer of his battery. Finding his observation obstructed by long grass, he advanced about 200 yards into Nomansland, moving from shell hole to shell hole until he got a good view. He then returned for his wire and laid it out by himself, observing for his battery for 3 hours, during which he was constantly sniped and in great danger from his own shells. Had served with the Ross Mountain Battery throughout the Gallipoli campaign.

Stornoway Gazette, 17 May 1918
It is our painful duty to record the death in action of 2/Lieut Neil Macdonald, son of Mr Murdo Macdonald, 14 Balallan. The news that this gallant Lewisman had made the supreme sacrifice for King and Country plunged his native village into deepest gloom, as it weighted the hearts of a wider circle of friends who learned the sad intelligence through our columns.

Lieut Macdonald was a most promising student at the Nicolson Institute when war broke out in August 1914. He was at the time attached to the ROss Mountain Battery, went into training with them att Bedofrd, and thereafter served throughout the Gallipoli Campaign both at Cape Helles and Suvla Bay. His tact, daring and skill early marked him out for promotion and he was eventually gazetted 2/Lieut. Latterly he was transferred to the RGA and saw much fighting with the 263 Siege Battery in France.

In July 1917 he won the Military Cross for conspicuous bravery in the field [see above] and at the time of his death (caused by a shell on April 25th) he was on the eve of receiving promotion to 1st Lieut.'s rank. His superior officers and friends predicted a brilliant future for this young hero, and it is sad indeed to think that so promising a career has been prematurely closed.

Lieut-Col. H Kelsall, MA, in a letter dated 27th April writes:
It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, 2/Lieut N. Macdonald. On the morning of the 25th April the Battery position was very heavily shelled and the officers and men had to clear out or get into such trenches as were available. Your son could not be found that day or yesterday, and a further search was made this morning by two officers of the Battery, accompanied by Padre, the Rev (Capt) JD Burns, with the result that they found the body almost completely buried in a trench. It was identified by a Testament in the jacket pocket with the name in it. It was impossible to remove the body, which was buried where it lay. The spot is noted and can easily be identified. It may be some little comfort to you to know that your son was much loved by all, not only in the Battery, but by all the officers of my Brigade. He was a splendid boy, as brave as a lion and a thoroughly good officers, and he died as every good soldier would sih to do, at his post on the guns. The Major of the Battery and a good many men are still missing. I fear that all your son's personal belongings were burnt, as the farm house where the officers and me were lying was set on fire. I will get Capt Burns to send you the Testament that was found in your son's pocket. Please accept the sincerest sympathy of myself and my officers.

In a letter to Mr and Mrs Macdonald, the Chaplain says thei rson was killed outright along with two of his men by a shell hitting the trench in which they were sheltering during a heavy bombardment of the position. Owing to the fact that the place was being heavily shelled when the bodies were found on the 26th, they could not be removed and had to be buried where they lay.

Heartfelt sympathy is expressed to the bereaved parents, brothers and sisters.

A later tribute runs as follows:
"These are days of suddenoverwhelming griefs." When I penned these words a few days ago, I did not know with what awful swiftness I was to realise their truth, for the very "Gazette" that contained them informed me of the death of one of my "boys", 2/Lieut Neil Macdonald, 14 Balallan.
In the old days, quite a number of clever lads passed out from the village school, and none more brilliant than he. A steady determined worker, he brought to bear on all he did a concentration of purpose most unusual and I had looked forward to see him leave the "Nicolson" the first student of his year. But just then broke out the world-war that has blasted many a promising career, and broken many a mother's heart.
At that time just recovering from an accident that had almost cost me my life, I was in a somewhat despondent mood, and I can still remember the thrill it gave me to see the fine enthusiasm and the spirit of high adventure that characterised all those gallant lads. Though of failure or dsappointment never came to them. That Wednesday night, 5th August [1914], is one ever to be remembered in Lewis, for the grey old island gave ungrudgingly of her best and bravest.
Neither the hard discipline of trainig, nor yet the rigours of the Gallipoli campaign had any harmful effect, for he still remained the same light-heard, pleasant-tempered lad he had always been, ready for work or frolic as the case might be. I remember him showing me a photograph in which he and some of his chums were grouped round a gun, and knowing something of official rules and regulations asked him with some curiosity "How did you do that?" He looked at me with a quizzical smile and answered "That photograph cost me my dinner one day". But sometimes in little confidential bursts he would hint of dreadful doings, of that awful night when the 29th Division landed at Helles Bay, of that other night when a gun burst, stretching him and others out senseless and still later of the Suvla Bay adventure. In the end of 1915, he was invalided home, and on recovery was sent into training for promotion.
It was during that period we discussed his future, which of the professions he should adopt after the turmoil and fever or war was over. "What?" he cried, his face all aglow, "do you think I could come back to four musty walls after all that?" and the eloquent wave of his hand was indication enough of the longer vision that was his.
Of the few short months of his later life another pen has written. He has lived his young life to the full, taking from it all that it possessed and now that it is ended who dare say it was not the better, nobler life? He has passed on to the land of the ever-young, to us who remain are the dreary barren years.

"But this we know, dear lad, all's well,
With th eman who has done his best,
And whether he live, or whether he died,
He is sacred high in our memory-
And to God we can leave the rest"

FC

Brigadier G. B. Mackenzie, commanding the 9th Corps Heavy Artillery writes:
"It is with most sincere regret that I write to express my deep sympathy with you and yours in your sore bereavement. I think I first met your son in August or September 1917 and remember telling him that though  the Macdonald and Mackenzies had been traditional enemies, I was sure we should get on well together. For I had already been told of the extraordinary bravery he had exhibited in observing the fire of his battery on two occasions in No Man's Land at a distance of 150 yards from the target, when his battery was firing shells the fragments of which rendered his position extremely dangerous. For this he had been awarded the Military Cross. I was therefore proud to have him under my command for a time. His battery soon left me and I remember meeting one of his brothers subalterns and asking him to tell Neil where I had found a little clump of heather - for I also am a Highlanders. On 3 April, his Battery again came under my command. I always looked upon as a pleasure to see him when visiting his Battery, and if I had had a son I would have liked such a one as he... On 25th April, the Germans attacked heavily but after very hard fighting were repulsed. Neil's Battery was the most advanced of the heavy artillery and was subjected to a very heavy bombardment. Every gun was knocked out and the command post was destroyed. It was not for nearly two days that we knew what had become of Neil. He was found partly burned in a shelter trench and was identified by his name found written in the New Testament found in his pocket.
Deeply as I mourn his loss, I can think of no more glorious end for his short career than to fall at his post in the hottest of the fight, successfully resisting the attack of the enemies of the right and to be revealed by his name being found written in the Book of Life. 'How bright these glorious spirits shine'. I look forward to meeting him again some day.

Neil Donald Buchanan, 11 Brenish

Seaman NEIL DONALD BUCHANAN
Last address in Lewis: 11 Brenish,
Son of the late Neil Buchanan, of Braenish, Uig, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Ganges
Service number: 4442/A
Date of death: 22 March 1917 at the age of 27
Died at home
Interred: Ardroil Cemetery, Uig, grave XV. 23.
Local memorial: Uig, Timsgarry

His brother Malcolm John was killed in France in 1914, serving in the Cameron Highlanders.

Neil Macgregor, 12A Tolsta Chaolais

Image (c) Mairi M Macritchie

Private NEIL MACGREGOR
Last address in Lewis: 12A Tolsta Chaolais,
Son of Malcolm & Chirsty (Christina) Macgregor, 12A Tolsta Chaolais
Service unit: 29th Canadian Infantry (British Columbia Regiment)
Service number: 645059
Date of death: 21 August 1917 at the age of 35
Killed in action in Vimy Ridge
Memorial: Vimy
Local memorial: Tolsta Chaolais
Was a fisherman before emigrating to Canada 1910.

Date of birth: 20 April 1883
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 7½ in
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Dark brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Labourer
Current address: 512 21st Ave N Vancouver
Volunteered at Vancouver on 24 November 1915
 
Neil appears in the 1901 census aged 18 at home with his parents Malcolm (61) and Chirsty (52) and brother Malcolm (24) and sister Chirsty (3).

His brother John died in 1920 as a result of war wounds, having served with New Zealand forces.


Inscription for Neil at Vimy Memorial, image courtesy Peter Macgregor

Neil Morrison, 4 Dun Carloway

Sergeant NEIL MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 4 Dun Carloway,
Son of Angus and Annie Morrison, of 4, Doune Carloway, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 130
Enlisted at Ayr
Date of death: 22 February 1917 at the age of 36
Killed in action in Kut
Memorial: Basra Memorial, Iraq, Panel 37 and 64
Local memorial: Carloway

His brother Murdo served in the RNR, and John was in the Seaforth Highlanders. Both survived the war. 

Stornoway Gazette
Another falls on the Tigris
Mr Angus Morrison, Dun-Carloway, has been notified that his son, Pte Neil Morrison, was killed in Mesopotamia on 22nd February [1917]. Prior to the war, Pte Morrison was serving with the colours in India. Much sympathy is felt for Mr Morrison and family.

Neil Maclean, 17 Callanish

Lance Corporal NEIL MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 17 North Side Callanish,
Son of Neil and May MacLean.
Service unit: Seaforth Highlanders, Depot
Service number: S/8622
Enlisted at Edinburgh
Date of death: 5 September 1916 at the age of 30
Died of wounds
Interred: Glasgow (Riddrie Park) Cemetery, grave A. 103
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

Neil appears in the 1891 census at Callanish, aged 5, the son of Neil (52) and Catherine (50) and brothehr of George (14) and Christina (8).

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).

Neil Mackay, 36B Breasclete

Seaman NEIL MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 36B Breasclete,
Son of Murdo Mackay, of 36B, Breasclete
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Dalhousie
Service number: 4404/A
Date of birth: 16 September 1888
Date of death: 4 September 1917 at the age of 33
Died during airraid in Chatham
Interred: Gillingham (Woodlands) Cemetery, grave Naval 4. 201.
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

His brothers Finlay and Murdo served in the Seaforth Highlanders and survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette, 21 September 1917
We regret to announce that one of the victims of the recent airraid on Chatham Barracks was Neil Mackay, RNR, son of Murdo Mackay, 36 Breasclet. Deceased, who was aged 33, was mobilised with the RNR at the outbreak of hostilities and served on board one of HM ships in the Persian Gulf. He was ill for some time and sent home to an English hospital. In July 1916, he was sent to Chatham, where he became a member ofo the Naval Pipe Band. He was a fine you fellow and was much liked by all who knew him. To know Neil was to love him. Deep sympathy is felt for the sorrowing family. Mr Mackay has another son serving in the Seaforths in France at the moment.

Neil Maclean, 8B Breasclete

Private NEIL MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 8B Breasclete,
Son of Annie Maclean, of 8, Breasclete, Stornoway, and the late Murdo Maclean.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6904
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 9 May 1915 at the age of 23
Killed in action at Neuve Chapelle
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 38
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

Neil appears in the 1901 census of 8 Breasclete, aged 9, the son of Murdo (44) and Annie (42) and brother of John (17), Mary (15), Malcolm (13), Kenneth (11) and Maggie (5).

His brothers John and Malcolm served in the RNR, and Malcolm was discharged. Both survived the war. 

Neil Donald Maciver, 45 North Shawbost

Private NEIL DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 45 North Shawbost,
Son of Malcolm and Mary Anne Maciver of North Shawbost
Service unit: 6th Cameron Highlanders
Service number: S/43300
Enlisted at Kingussie, where he was living.
Date of death: 8 October 1916 at the age of 19
Killed in action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15B
Local memorial: West Side, Bragar; Nicolson Institute WW1, left panel


The 1901 census shows Neil Donald aged 3, at 45 North Shawbost, the son of Malcolm (33) and Mary (27) and brother of Malcolm (2) and Norman Ivor (9 months) as well as Catherine Ann (3).



His brother Malcolm M. served in the Highland Light Infantry and survived the war.

Neil Murray, 52 Lower Barvas

Private NEIL MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 52 Lower Barvas,
Son of John Murray, of 52, Lower Barvas, Stornoway, Scotland.
Service unit: 8th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment), Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Service number: 578
Date of death: 26 September 1916 at the age of 30
Killed in action in France
Interred: Vimy Memorial

Date of birth: 16 March 1886
Height: 5 ft 9¾ in
Complexion: Medium
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Carpenter
Volunteered at Ottawa on 20 August 1914 

Neil is shown in the 1901 census, aged 15, at home at 52 Lower Barvas, the son of John (52) and Chirsty (46), and brother of Donald (23), Catherine (17), Finlay (10), Chirsty Mary (7) and Ann (4½).

Neil Macdonald, 21 Ballantrushal

Seaman NEIL MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 21 Ballantrushal,
Son of Angus and Annie Macdonald, of 21, Ballantrushal.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, SS Arabis
Service number: 3335A
Date of death: 16 September 1917 at the age of 24
Ship sunk by U-54, 210 miles W of Ushant en route from Sfax to Falmouth
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 26
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

Neil is shown in the 1901 census at 21 Ballantrushal, aged 10, at home with his parents Angus (42) and Ann (40) as well as his siblings Margaret (16), Mary (14), Chirsty (7), Angus (4) and John (1). 

His brother Angus was killed in action in 1917, serving the Seaforths. John  served in the Trawler section of the RNR and survived the war. 

Stornoway Gazette

It is with deep regret that it was learned here last Friday (19 October 1917) that Neil Macdonald RNR, son of Angus Macdonald, 21 Ballantrushal, had lost his life at sea when his ship, the "Arabas", was lost on 16th September. Before being sent to sea as a gunner on a merchantman, Neil underwent a course of training in the gunnery school. Deceased was of a kindly disposition and spright character, a most dutiful son, and a general favourite with all his acquaintances. He will be greatly missed by a wide circle of friends. The sad intelligence was conveyed in a letter from Custom House, stating that Neil was missing from among the survivors of his veessel. This is the second severe blow that has fallen on Mr and Mrs Macdonald through the war, their son Angus having been killed in France last April. The youngest - and now only remaining - son is on patrol duty. Much sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Macdonald and other relatives, and the whole community mourns with them in their irrepairable loss.

John Neil Macrae, 25 Coll

Image courtesy Clan Macrae Roll of Honour
Private JOHN NEIL MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 25 Coll,
Service unit: 7th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7241
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 14 July 1916
Killed in action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15 C
Local memorial: Back

John Neil is shown in the 1901 census at 25 Coll, aged 3. Also present are his parents John and Mary (aged 41) as well as his siblings Isabella (14), Donald (11), Angus (6) and Kenneth (1).

His brother Donald was killed in action in 1918 whilst serving with the Canadian Army. His brother Angus also served with the Canadian Army, but survived the war. 

Neil Macqueen, Stag Road, Stornoway

Seaman NEIL MACQUEEN
Last address in Lewis: Stag Road, Stornoway
Brother of William Macqueen, 2 Coulregrein, Stornoway
Service unit: Royal Navy, HMS Surprise
Service number: 196893
Date of birth: 24 May 1881
Date of death: 23 December 1917
Drowned off Holland
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 21
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, middle panel

Neil Macqueen is shown in the 1901 census at Gibraltar, on board HMS Jupiter. In 1911, he is shown on board a RN ship at Gillingham, Kent. The 1881 census shows Neil as a 3 months old, with his mother Mary (26, pauper) and brother William M (3) in Stornoway.

Kenneth Neil Macdonald, 5 Plantation Road, Stornoway

Private KENNETH NEIL MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 5 Plantation Road
Next of kin: Dolina Mcdonald, Wife, of 19 Gravir
Military unit: 13th Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment)
Service number: 24329
Date of death: 14 March 1915 at the age of 35
Cause of death: Killed in action in France
Interred: Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, grave II. A. 42.
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Date of birth: 18 April 1878
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 6 ft 1½ in
Complexion: Ruddy
Eyes: Gray
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Stonecutter
Last address in Lewis: 5 Plantation Road

Marital status: Married
Volunteered at Valcartier on 23 September 1914
Kenneth Neil married Dolina and emigrated to the USA, later Canada, where they had their daughter, Nina. His parents were Neil and Henrietta Macdonald from 12 Breaclete, Great Bernera. His siblings were Henrietta, John, Maggie Ann and Murdo.

Neil Smith, 2 Maciver's Buildings, Stornoway

Private NEIL SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 2 Maciver's Buildings, Stornoway
Son of Alex Smith, of 2, Maciver's Buildings, Keith St., Stornoway.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6769
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 13 October 1914 at the age of 22
Killed in action in France
Interred: Meteren Military Cemetery, grave I. C. 99
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel
Was at the front since start of war

Neil Macrae, Stornoway

Bosun NEIL MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Service unit: Merchant Marine, SS Pomeranian
Date of death: 15 April 1918 at the age of 38
Memorial: Tower Hill

SS Pomeranian was a 4,241 GRT steamer, en route from London to Newfoundland when she was torpedoed by UC-77 near Portland Bill with the loss of 55 lives.