Kenneth Mackenzie, 4 Shader, Point, Newlands

Seaman KENNETH MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 4 Shader, Point, Newlands
Son of Donald and Isabella Mackenzie, of 4, Shader, Point, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve
Service number: 3046/A
Date of birth: 29 May 1892
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 27
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery, grave B. 2. 19
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

His brother John served in the Australian Navy; his brother Donald served in the Royal Navy and his brother Murdo was in the RNR. These three all survived the war.

Angus Mackay, 22 Shader, Point

Second Hand ANGUS MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 22 Shader, Point, Hillside
Son of Murdo Mackay;
Husband of Annie Mackay, of Shader, Point, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMY Iolaire
Service number: 2258/D
Date of birth: May 1875
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 41
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery, grave D. 1. 21
Decoration(s):DSM

On HMS Orama; was involved in Falklands Battle and the destruction of the Dresden.

Alexander Maciver, 19 Shader, Point

Second Hand ALEXANDER MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 19 Shader, Point,
Son of Angus Maciver, of 19, Shader, Point
Husband of Mary Macdonald Maciver, of 43, Lower Garrabost, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve
Service number: 1691/C
Date of birth: February 1876
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 42
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery, grave B. 3. 27
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)
Decoration(s):DSM

Served on HMS Orama at the Battle of the Falklands and in destruction of the Dresden.
Fired the distress flares on HMY Iolaire after she ran aground.

The 1881 census shows Alexander as a 5-year old at home with his parents Angus (48) and  Mary (39) as well as his siblings Chirstina (14), Murdo (12), John (10), Donald (7), Norman (2) and Cathrine (5 months).

His brother Norman served in the RNR as well, but survived the war.

Angus Macdonald, 15 Shader, Point

Leading Seaman ANGUS MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 15 Shader, Point,
Son of Angus and Mary Macdonald, of 15, Shulishadder Point, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, SS Bronwen
Service number: 3091A
Date of birth: 15 January 1890
Date of death: 29 November 1918 at the age of 29
Died in France, on his way home from POW camp in Austria
Interred: Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, grave Div. 62. IV. I. 6
Decoration(s):1914 Star

Angus is shown in the 1901 census as an 11-year old at home with his parents Angus (55) and Mary (50) as well as his siblings Donald (18), Dolina (25), John (16) and Donald (8).

His brothers Donald and Donald A also served in the war but survived.

Private communication
The SS Bronwen was sunk on the 24 Sep 1916 by the German submarine U-35 (Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière), 25 miles NxE of Dragonera Island. The Bronwen was carrying a load of coal from Barry to Marseilles. He was taken as a POW to POW station Salzerbad, Austria. He developed TB and following his release at the end of the war and was hospitalized in Le Havre where he died 27 Nov 1918.

Donald Macaskill, 14 Shader, Point

Seaman DONALD MACASKILL
Last address in Lewis: 14 Shader, Point,
Son of Donald Macaskill
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Sigismund
Service number: 7041/A
Date of birth: September 1896
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 20
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire, was never found
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

The 1901 census shows Donald as a 2-year old at home with his parents Donald (40) and Margaret (37) as well as Donald Senior's mother Cathrine (67) and sister Cathrine (28). Donald and Margaret have 8 of a family at this point, namely: John (15), Margaret (13), Duncan (11), Chirstian (9), Mary (7), Angus (5), Donald (2) and Murdo (4 months).

Apart from Donald, three other sons also served in the war but survived. Hugh was in the Ross Mountain Battery, Angus in the RNR and Duncan in the Canadian Army. Hugh is not found in any of the censuses.

Kenneth Murray, 7 Shader, Point

Leading Seaman KENNETH MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 7 Shader, Point,
Son of Malcolm and Catherine Murray, of 7, Shader Point, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMD City of Liverpool
Service number: 3304/A
Date of birth: 10 July 1891
Date of death: 1 August 1918 at the age of 27
Ship sunk by mine laid by UC-71 at the Downs, off South Foreland
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 30
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

The 1901 census shows Kenneth as a 9-year old with his parents Malcolm (57) and Catherine (50) as well as siblings Mary (26), Henretta (21), Alexander (16), Isabella (12). Also present were Mary's husband John Mackay (29) and their 1-month old daughter Isabella.

Kenneth's brother Alexander served with the Canadian Army, but survived the war.
Kenneth's brother-in-law John Mackay served with the RNR and was saved from the sinking of HMY Iolaire.

Stornoway Gazette, 23 August 1918
Official notice has been received that Kenneth Murray, RNR, son of the late Mr Malcolm Murray, 7 Shader, Point, has been killed, the trawler on which he served having been blown up by a mine, when all on board perishing. The news came with startling suddenness, as only a fortnight previously he was home on leave. The deceased, who was 27 years of age, was in Canada when war broke out and at his own expense he crossed the Atlantic to help in the defence of his native land. He was a dutiful son, and his amiable disposition and upright character made him a general favourite. His brother Alick is serving with the Canadians. Much sympathy is felt for his bereaved mother, brother and sisters. 

Angus Maclean, 3 Shader, Point

Private ANGUS MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 3 Shader, Point,
Son of Malcolm Maclean, 3 Shader, Point
Service unit: 28th Canadian Infantry (Saskatchewan Regiment)
Service number: 73483
Date of death: 6 June 1916 at the age of 31
Killed in France
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 18 - 26 - 28
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Date of birth: 9 September 1888
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Complexion: Light
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Light brown
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Millhand
Next of kin: Mrs Malcolm Maclean, Mother, of 3 Shader

Volunteered at Prince Albert on 26 October 1914
 
His brothers John and Donald also served with the Canadian Army, but survived the war.

Murdo Macaulay, 16 Shader, Point

Private MURDO MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 16 Shader, Point,
Son of John Macaulay
Service unit: 43rd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 859583
Date of death: 13 November 1917 at the age of 29
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 24 - 26 - 28 - 30

Date of birth: 10 August 1889
Height: 5 ft 8 in
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Fair
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Elevatorman
Current address: 324 Mark St N, Fort William
Volunteered at Winnipeg on 10 January 1916 

Murdo is shown on the census of 1891, aged 2, with his parents John (45) and Annie (38) as well as his siblings Chirstina (13), Donald (11), Peggie (6) and Ann (4).

His brother Donald was lost in the Iolaire Disaster of 1919.

Stornoway Gazette
Mr John Macaulay, 16 Shader, Point, has received official notice that his son, Pte Murdo Macaulay, Canadians, was killed in action on 11th November 1917. The deceased soldier, who was 29 years of age, emigrated to Canada six years ago, arrived in Britain in August 1916, and two months later crossed in France. What adds to his parents' distress is the fact that a few days before his death, he had received a pass for home, but owing to an official mistake it had to be returned to headquarters for correction. In the interval the fatal engagement took place. His brother Donald is serving with the Naval forces. The deep sympathy of the whole community goes out to the bereaved parents, who have lost a most dutiful son. His cousin, Malcolm Macaulay, Canadians, writing the bereaved parents, says: "It grieves me beyond expression to have to write you concerning my dear cousin, your son Murdo. No doubt by this time you have been notified by the War Office that he was killed in action on the 11th November. As soon as I heard the sad news I made my way to the vicinity and found that he and three of his comrades had unfortunately been killed by shrapnel. I, along with some other comrades, buried them with full honours, thus rendering our last assistence on earth. He was dearly loved by all that knew him and his death is regretted by all in his company. He was always mentioned as cool and courageous to face the foe. I know, dear aunt, that this is a terrible blow, and anything I can say or do will seem as a drop in the bucket during this, your time of sorrow. I can only commend you to Him who healeth all wounded hearts and strengthens us to bear with our burdens. We believe that we are fighting for a just cause. Therefore we claim the blessed promise. "He that loseth his life for My sake shall find it".

Private communication
Donald Smith and Murdo Macaulay grew up in the same area in Lewis. Donald was from Portnaguran and Murdo was from Shader just about a mile away. They both travelled to Fort William Ontario where Donald - "Dairy" - was a teamster living at 301 Ogden Street and would have had a team of horses for milk delivery. Murdo lived at 324 North Marks Street. At the outbreak of WWI they travelled together to Winnipeg and on the 10th of January 1916 they stood together in line to sign up with the 179th Battalion of the Cameron Highlanders of Canada. Donald was ahead in the line as the Regiment Number given to him was 859582. John signed up next with Regiment Number 859583. They trained and served in the same unit for the duration of the war. Donald survived and returned to Canada following the war with Kate Martin of Back. They were married in Fort William on the 17th of August 1921 and raised their family. His freind Murdo did not survive. He was killed in action on the 26th of August 1918 and is remembered on the Lewis Roll of Honor:  

Donald Macaulay, 16 Shader, Point

Seaman DONALD MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 16 Shader, Point,
Son of John and Annie MacAulay, of Shader Point, Stornoway
Husband of Rachel MacAulay, of 1, Shader Point, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Emperor of India
Service number: 2065C
Date of birth: 24 December 1880
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 38
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire, was never found
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 32
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Donald is shown on the census of 1891 with his parents John (45) and Annie (38) as well as his siblings Chirstina (13), Peggie (6), Ann (4) and Murdo (2).

His brother Murdo was killed in action in 1917 whilst serving with the Canadian Army.