Colin Macdonald, 12 Sandwickhill

Private COLIN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 12 Sandwickhill,
Service unit: 8th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/18046
Enlisted at Fort George, Inverness
Date of death: 22 August 1917 at the age of 23
Killed in action
Interred: Potijze Chateau Lawn Cemetery, grave D. 17
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

John Macleod, 21 North Street, Sandwick

Private JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 21 North Street, Sandwick
Service unit: 24th Canadian Infantry (Quebec Regiment)
Service number: 65707
Date of death: 8 November 1917 at the age of 28
Died of wounds
Interred: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, grave XXII. AA. 14
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial
Had been previously wounded twice, and gassed once

Date of birth: 16 October 1893
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Dark brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Farmer
Next of kin: J Macleod, Father, of 20 N Str, Sandwick
Volunteered at Montreal on 2 November 1914 

His brother Norman also served in the Canadian Army.

Hector Macleod, 5 North Street, Sandwick

Seaman HECTOR MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 5 North Street, Sandwick
Husband of Annabella McLeod
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Heroic
Service number: 4612/B
Date of birth: 26 October 1896
Date of death: 28 June 1915 at the age of 28
Died of wounds, sustained 3 days previously. Buried at sea.
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 14,
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, middle panel

Finlay Maclean, 4 North Street, Sandwick

Name in portrait incorrect
Private FINLAY MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 4 North Street, Sandwick
Son of John and Henrietta Maclean
Husband to Catherine Ball, latter living at 48 Milton Street, Partick, Glasgow
Service unit: 10th Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Service number: 16895
Date of death: 5 May 1918 at the age of 27
Died of wounds in Ruchill Hospital Glasgow. Was wounded at Loos
Interred: Lambhill Cemetery, Glasgow, Sec. O. Grave 1482
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

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

Roderick Mackenzie, 25 East Street, Sandwick

Private RODERICK MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 25 East Street, Sandwick
Service unit: 2nd Gordon Highlanders
Service number: S/46304, previously S/16134 Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Enlisted at Glasgow
Date of death: 6 September 1916
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15B and 15C
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Roderick Macdonald, 23 East Street, Sandwick

Lance Corporal RODERICK MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 23 East Street, Sandwick
Service unit: 2nd South African Infantry
Service number: 13116
Date of death: 11 April 1918
Killed in action in France
Interred: Messines Ridge British Cemetery, grave V. C. 14
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

His brother Donald served with the Canadian Army;  his brother Kenneth was in the RNR. Both survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette
From the "Natal Mercury" of 1 May 1918, we cull the following:
"The death of Pte Roderick Macdonald, 2nd SAI [South African Infantry] will be regretted by a large circle of acquaintances. "Mac", although a married man with two sons, thought it his duty to go overseas a year ago and news has just been received that he made the supreme sacrifice on April 11th, 1918."
He was a native of Sandwick.  

Alex John Morrison, 13 East Street, Sandwick

Sergeant ALEX JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 13 East Street, Sandwick
Son of John and Catherine Morrison, of 13, East St., Sandwick, Stornoway, Scotland.
Service unit: 16th Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 77635
Date of death: 11 August 1918 at the age of 30
Killed in action in France
Interred: Rosieres Communal Cemetery extension, grave III. C. 18
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Date of birth: 14 January 1888
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Miner
Volunteered at Victoria on 5 November 1914 

His brother John served in the Highland Light Infantry; his brother Daniel was a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy.

Stornoway Gazette
Sergt Alex John Morrison, 16th Battalion, Canadian Scottish, son of John Morrison, 13 East Street, is officially reported killed in action on 11 August 1918. Sergt Morrison emigrated some 12 years ago and was in San Francisco when war was declared against Germany, and he immediately crossed into British Columbia and enlisted in the Dominion Forces at Victoria. He came over with the first contingent and went to France 3 years ago. He was wounded twice, and on the last occasion spent 9 months in hospital. He was 30 years old. Mr Morrison has 3 other sons on war service, namely John, who took part in the capture of Jerusalem in the HLI; Daniel, who has been in the Royal Navy for 16 years and Donald, on government work in Greenock. The news of Sgt Morrison's death caused widespread regret in the district and the deepest sympathy is extended to his sorrowing father, sisters and brothers.  

Donald Murdo Macdonald, 8 East Street, Sandwick

Steward DONALD MURDO MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 8 East Street, Sandwick
Son of Norman and Hannah Macdonald
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMHS Rohilla
Date of death: 30 October 1914 at the age of 18
Ship sank in a gale off Whitby
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, left panel

Alex John Macdonald, 6 East Street, Sandwick

Seaman ALEX JOHN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 6 East Street, Sandwick
Son of Angus and Mary Macdonald of Sandwickhill
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 4 November 1917 at the age of 18
Drowned at sea
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, left panel

Alexander John (aged 1) is shown in the 1901 census at 6 East Street in Sandwick at home with his parents Angus (43) and Mary (42) as well as his siblings Angus (13), Jessie (11), Kenneth (9), Helen B (7) and Philip (5).

His brothers Philip and Kenneth also served in the RNR and survived the war.

Donald Mckenzie, 27 Lower Sandwick

Name incorrect in photograph
Lance Corporal DONALD MCKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 27 Lower Sandwick
Son of Marion A. Miller (formerly McKenzie), of 2, Gilcomston Terrace, Aberdeen. Born at Stornoway.
Service unit: 3rd Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 315981
Date of death: 21 July 1915 at the age of 20
Died in hospital in Aberdeen
Interred: Aberdeen (Allenvale) Cemetery, grave K. 443
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial
This casualty is referred to as Donald Angus in the Roll of Honour 

His family history is summarised on the Pentland Road blog.

Donald Macdonald, 21 Lower Sandwick

Seaman DONALD MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 21 Lower Sandwick,
Son of  Alexander and Catherine Macdonald, 21 Lower Sandwick
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve
Date of death: 10 November 1916 at the age of 50
Died of a strain, taken on active service
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

John Macaskill, 12 Lower Sandwick

Seaman JOHN MACASKILL
Last address in Lewis: 12 Lower Sandwick,
Son of Kenneth and Mary Macaskill, of 12, Lower Sandwick, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Thomas Booth
Service number: 9635/A
Date of birth: 14 January 1895
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 24
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Sandwick Cemetery, North West, Old Ground, 234
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, left panel

The 1901 census shows John aged 12 at home with his parents Kenneth (49) and Mary (48) as well as his siblings Malcolm A (14) and Donaldina (12).

Malcolm served as a driver with the Canadian Army and survived the war.

Alexander Macaulay, 10 Lower Sandwick

Private ALEX MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 10 Lower Sandwick,
Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John MacAulay, of 10, Lower Sandwick, Stornoway, Scotland.
Service unit: 2nd Canadian Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
Service number: 442728
Date of death: 9 September 1916 at the age of 37
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Vimy Memorial,
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Date of birth: 1 May 1880
Height: 5 ft 3½ in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Dark brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Stonemason
Volunteered at Vernon Camp on 22 May 1915

His brother Murdo served as a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal Navy, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

Kenneth Mackenzie, 6 Lower Sandwick

Private KENNETH MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 6 Lower Sandwick,
Service unit: Seaforth Highlanders
Date of death: not known
Killed in action
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Had been in the regular army, was in merchant service on outbreak of war. On mobilisation joined his old battallion, 1st Seaforths, and was wounded once. 

His brother John served with the Canadians; his brother Robert was in the RNR. Both survived the war.

William John Macleod, 3 Lower Sandwick

Sergeant WILLIAM JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lower Sandwick,
Son of the late William and Isabella MacLeod, of 3, Lower Sandwick, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/15208, formerly 27703, H.L.I.
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 26 August 1918 at the age of 31
Killed in action in Baku
Memorial: Baku Memorial,
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, middle panel

William John is shown in the 1891 census as a 4-year old, at home with his parents William (50, crofter and fisherman) and Isabella (40) as well as his siblings Hector (16), Kenneth (6), Donald (2) and Katie (11 months).

His brother Donald served with the Canadians and was decorated with the Military Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1916. He survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette, 27 September 1918
An Appreciation by W. G. M

A wave of sorrow passed over the district of Back, when the news arrived on Tuesday last that Willie John Macleod had been killed in Baku, and there were many manifestations of sorrow over the death of one who had laboured so long and faithfully in their midst. Mr Macleod came to Back School in 1908, and was still on the staff when the great war started. When the call for volunteers came he promptly joined up under the Derby Scheme, but so keen was he to "do his bit" that he asked permission to go at once. This, although denied him, did not delay him long, and he left for Fort Geroge where he was enrolled in the HLI. He received his training at Nigg Camp and his varied experiences there were duly recorded in the Gazette, and were much appreciated by your readers.

His training completed, he paid a short visit to Stornoway and Back, and then left to do garrison duty in Salonika. A touch o fmalarial fever necessitated his removal to Malta, after which he rejoined his unit. At the close of last year, a call was made for vlunteers for what we shall call the "Russian mission". Mr Macleod, whose sense of duty was always of the highest, at once volunteered and though the undertaking was known to be a dangerous one he never flinched and entered on his new career with high hopes, with what fateful result we, alas, know. His journey to India, Basra, Bagdad and Persia, was full of interest and many thrilling experiences, which he related in letters from time to time, letters which lie before me as I write but which for military reasons could not then be published. On the 26th June he was then in sight of his journey's end and finally reached Baku, only to be killed on behalf of those who had so treacherously betrayed them.
Mr Macleod's quiet, modest, unassuming and genial disposition endeared him to all those who came into contact. Never could one adapt himself to his surroundings so well as he, never did we meet such an optimist, such a veritable "Mark Tapley". He was one of the few we ever met who could join heartily in a laugh against himself. The various letters from his pen which duly appeared in the "Gazette" showed that he had the gift of letter writing, nothing banal ever appearing in them.
His death is a distinctg loss to the profession, for he was a most enthusiastic, painstaking and successful teacher. The excellent work he did in Back School, will not soon be forgotten. Mr Macleod was always seen at his best and was never happier than which doing service to others, and in the days to come we will often see:

The vacant chair and think
How good how kind! and he is gone.