R Mackenzie, 24 Point Street, Stornoway

Seaman R MACKENZIE
Last known address in Lewis: 24 Point Street, Stornoway
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Excellent
Service number: 4160/B
Date of death: 28 February 1919 at the age of 33
Interred: Crossbost Cemetery (known to be buried there)

Ernest Lewis Gillanders, 34 Francis Street, Stornoway

Private ERNEST LEWIS GILLANDERS
Last address in Lewis: 34 Francis Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 1st Scots Guards
Service number: 14042
Enlisted at Dundee
Date of death: 11 October 1918
Interred: Delsaux Farm Cemetery, Beugny, grave I. F. 23

Ernest is shown in the 1891 census at 34 Francis Street, Stornoway, aged 1, the son of William  and Jemima Gillanders, and brother of Wm Mackay (9), Rose (6), MacKenzie (3) and Everard Francis (1). His father William (41) was born at Nigg, and was an Acct & District Comlter Clerk [Accountant]. His mother Jemima (34, nee Mackenzie) was born at Stornoway. The couple are shown, without children, in the 1881 census at 18 Francis Street. They were married at Helensburgh on 24 March 1881, just ten days before the 1881 census.

Ernest Lewis was one of twins, the other being Everard Francis. They were born at 10.20 am at 18 Francis Street on 4 November 1889.  Their father reported the birth on 26 November.

Frederick Charles, 32 Keith Street, Stornoway

Private FREDERICK CHARLES
Last address in Lewis: 32 Keith Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 4th Royal Irish Fusiliers
Service number: 18635
Date of death: 9 September 1915 at the age of 45
Died of drowning in the River Clyde
Interred: Glasgow Eastern Necropolis, grave 12. 2057.

Frederick is shown in the 1881 census of Stornoway, aged 11, living at 32 Keith Street, Back Court. He is a scholar, the son of Margaret (32) and  Frederick (a seaman, not present at census time) and brother of Johanna (13).

In 1891, Frederick appears in the census at 6 Blackburn Street, Govan, Glasgow, aged 21. He is a baker, living with his mother Margaret (46) and siblings Johanna (23) and Donald (14).

By 1901, Frederick (31) is married to Isabella Charles (27), and has a baby son, Kenneth, aged 9 months. They live at 136 Nelson Street, Govan; Frederick is a journeyman baker.

Frederick drowned in the River Clyde opposite berth no 12, Broomielaw, Glasgow. He is quoted as living at 89 Oran Street. It is mentioned he was a private in the 4th Royal Irish Fusiliers. At the time of his death, both his parents were deceased.

His birth certificate shows he was born in Stornoway.

Hector Mackenzie, 34 Point Street, Stornoway

Lance Corporal HECTOR MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 34 Point Street, Stornoway
Son of Simon and Wilhelmina Mckenzie of "Glentin", Derby St, Kogarah, NSW, Australia. Born in Stornoway
Service unit: 1st Australian Infantry
Service number: 341
Date of death: 10 May 1915 at the age of 30
Killed in action at Gallipoli
Memorial: Lone Pine memorial, panel 13

Hector was an unmarried launch proprietor when he joined up on 24 August 1914
The address of his next of kin was given as 45 Elizabeth St, Ashfields
He is described as follows:

Height 5 ft 8½ in
Complexion and hair: fair
Eyes: bluey grey
Religion: presbyterian

After his death, a brown paper bag was handed back containing:
1 safety razor
1 infantry pocket book
letters, postcards
1 notebook
1 book on entrenchments
1 knife
1 purse

Reginald Fowler Greenhill, Bank Street, Stornoway

Captain REGINALD FOWLER GREENHILL
Only son of Mrs. and the late Dr. S. F. Greenhill, of 9, Bank St., Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Last address in Lewis: 9 Bank Street, Stornoway
Service unit: 15th Lancashire Fusiliers
Date of death: 1 January 1918 at the age of 22
Interred: Wimereux Communal Cemetery, grave IV. I. 3

John Forrest, Stornoway

Private JOHN FORREST
Last address in Lewis: Stornoway
Son of Mr. A. M. Forrest, of Beach House, South Beach St., Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Scots Guards
Service number: 9892
Born at Montrose
Enlisted at Paisley
Date of death: 28 September 1915
Died of wounds
Interred: Noeux-les-Mines Communal cemetery, grave I. D. 28.

John Macleod, 19 Ranish

Leading Seaman JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 19 Ranish,
Also quoted at 3 Matheson Court, Cromwell Street, Stornoway
Son of the late Malcolm McLeod, of 19, Ranish
Husband of Christy Smith McLeod.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, SS Kut Sang
Service number: 2068/C
Date of birth: August 1875
Date of death: 29 April 1918 at the age of 43
Ship sunk by UB-105 in Mediterranean
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 30,
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost

Murdo Mackenzie, 49 Balallan

Lance Corporal MURDO MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 49 Balallan
Son of Malcolm and Catherine Mackenzie,
Husband of Mary J Kennedy of Glasgow
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 204319, previously 6203 Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of birth: 4 May 1894
Date of death: 4 October 1917 at the age of 23
Killed in action
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 132 to 135 and 162A.
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay; Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, middle panel
Also quoted at Porter's Lodge, Stornoway

Murdo was the second son of Malcolm (1858) and Catherine (1852), the other  being Malcolm (1890); a third child died in infancy.

From the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders' war diary
The battalion is in action east of Ypres, conducting the battle of Broodseinde, the last battle of Passchendaele.

The Battalion formed up for attack by zero -1 hour on correct alignment in touch with 1st Hampshire on right and R Dublin Fusiliers on left. Coys were closed up to total depth of 120 yards to get clear of EAGLE trench which would have broken formations. Two leading platoons of each assaulting coy carried trench boards in cue of difficulty being found in crossing water and marsh between starting point and KANGAROO trench and LAUDETBEEK. Platoons were to advance in succession under cover of the creeping barrage at correct distances of 100yards between platoons and 150 yards between coys with moppers coy HQs 50 yards in rear of the platoon of each coy.

At zero hour (6 am) leading platoons advanced into barrage, but found great difficulty in keeping alignment owin to water forcing them to follow best ground or the marsh. This caused confusion and resulted in formation of assaulting coys being lost, especially on left where the leading wave walked into our own barrage. KANGAROO trench was reached without coys, platoons being able to disentangle themselves enemy who showed resistance being bayonetted and remainder being passed back. A total of about 25 men were taken prisoner on the front up to KANGAROO trench, including several men were killed by enemy barrage fire on their way back. The left assaulting coy came into some resistance and did not take many prisoners. Coy SM Bain killing 15 enemy to his own bayonet. As the advance proceeded coys endeavoured to regain formation but this was found to be impossible owing to confusion and the excited condition of the men. Up to BEEK STREET trench casualties were not heavy, but from that point onwards machine gun fire was encountered, from left flank generally and this fire caused considerable casualties, both coy commanders and 6 of their platoon commanders of the two left coys being put out of action. Continuing their advance towards their objective, the left coy captured the fortified houses and the right coy advance over 19 Metre Hill. The left coys were unable to advance further, where the remaining men established themselves in shell holes.

Stornoway Gazette 
Lance-Corporal Murdo Mackenzie, Seaforth Highlanders, only son of Mr and Mrs Mackenzie, Porter's Lodge, Stornoway, was killed in action in France on 4th October 1917. Lance-Corpl Mackenzie was in the Regular Army and some months before the outbreak of war had been "bought out" by his parents. He returned home and for a couple of years was on the Police Force in Stornoway. He enrolled under the Derby Scheme, but was rejected on medical grounds. In December 1915, he left Lewis and went to Glasgow, where he got married. In November 1914, he was called up, and drafted into the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, but was afterwards transferred to his old regiment, the Seaforths. He was a crack shot, and at Ripon was presented with a souvenir by his Commanding Officer for putting up the best score registered in the musketry practice carried on there since the war started. He was also an enthusiastic piper, and was a great favourite with all his companions. For his sorrowing parents, widow and child, sincere sympathy is felt. The Captain of his Company, writing to Mrs Mackenzie says:

"I am writing to give you the few details I knew about your husband who was killed on 4th October, 1917. The Battalion attacked in the morning of the 4th and gained all their objectives. Your husband was all right until the afternoon, when a German sniper saw him and shot him through the head. Death was instantaneous. He never moved again. I cannot say with absolute certainty where he was buried as the Battalion came out that night, and had only time to get the wounded back, but since then we have gained more ground and the spot where your husband fell is now well behind the firing line, so his body must have been recovered and buried by some other unit. It was just south of Poelskapelle, which itself is NE of Ypres. I cannot tell you how sorry I was to hear about your husband. He was such a good soldier and an extra-ordinarily charming man. His section worshipped him and would have done anything for him. I can understand only too well how deep your grief wmust be, for I knew what he was to his friends, and how much more he must have been to his wife. I am afraid there is very little I can say or do to help you in your great grief, but I feel sure that the thought that he died in the way that he himself would have chosen will in some small part soften the blow."

Alexander Macrae, 7 Point Street, Stornoway

Rifleman ALEXANDER MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 7 Point Street, Stornoway
Husband of Violet Angelina Macrae of Wellington
Service unit: 2nd Bn 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Service number: 24/2246
Date of death: 15 September 1916 at the age of 29
Memorial: Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial

Alexander was a cook and married to Violet Angelina before he joined the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. He lived at 7 Alfred Street, Wellington, c/o Mrs Simmons. He embarked at Wellington on 1 April 1916 on the Maunganui or the Tahiti bound for Suez, Egypt.

The 1891 census shows Alexander (3) at 7 Point Street, with his parents Murdo (40, cooper) and Christina (38) and siblings Jessie (9), John Murdo (6) and William (1) being his siblings. 

John Macleod, 7 Point Street, Stornoway

Private JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Point Street
Son of Donald and Christina McLeod, of 7, Point St., Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 317438
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 3 May 1917 at the age of 23
Killed in action
Memorial: Arras Memorial, bay 8

Murdo Murray, 8 Stag Road, Stornoway

Sergeant MURDO MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 8 Stag Road, Stornoway
Service unit: 7th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6663
Date of death: 12 October 1916 at the age of 28
Killed in action
Interred: Warlencourt British Cemetery, grave V. E. 2
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel

Hugh D Disher, 3 Stag Road, Stornoway

Private HUGH DOYLE DISHER
Last address in Lewis: 3 Stag Road, Stornoway
Grandson of James Disher
Service unit: 5th/ 6th Scottish Rifles
Service number: 41676
Date of death: 17 October 1917
Died of trench fever in hospital
Interred: Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, III. F. 27
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, left panel

Previously served with the Royal Scots, 2/1399.
Enlisted in Glasgow. A Hugh D Disher is shown in the Gorbals area on the 1891 census. A James Disher lives at 7 Stag Road, Stornoway in 1901 - he was an umbrella mender, born in Glasgow. Previous censuses show him as a hawker or pedler around Lewis and Harris.

Malcolm Macdonald, 2 Stag Road, Stornoway

Private MALCOLM MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 2 Stag Road, Stornoway
Son of John and Bella MacDonald, of Lower Bayble;
Husband of Isabella MacDonald, of 2, Stag Rd., Stornoway.
Service unit: B Coy. 4th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3135
Date of death: 4 February 1919 at the age of 34
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery, grave B. 45

In the 1891 census, Malcolm is shown as the 10-year old son of John (49, labourer) and Isabella Macdonald (46) at Lower Bayble. Their other sons were Donald (12), William (8) and Donald (4).

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.

William Kirk Wilson, Beach House, South Beach Street, Stornoway

Engine Room Artificer 4th Class WILLIAM KIRK WILSON
Last address in Lewis: Beach House, South Beach Street, Stornoway
Husband to Mary (at 13 Kenneth Street, Stornoway)
Born at Coatbridge on 27 August 1890
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Mistletoe
Service number: M/14184
Date of death: 1 January 1919
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire, was never found
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 32
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Peter Mackay Macrae, 13 South Beach Street, Stornoway

 
Image courtesy Clan Macrae Roll of Honour
Second Lieutenant PETER MACKAY MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 13 South Beach Street, Stornoway
Also quoted at Seaforth Head, Balallan.
Son of Farquhar and Annabel MacRae, of 13, South Beach, Stornoway.
Service unit: 7th Northampton Regiment, attached 129th Field Coy, Royal Engineers
Date of death: 24 December 1917 at the age of 30
Killed in action in France
Interred: Roisel Communal Cemetery extension, grave III. C. 2
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel
Was wounded in 1915 while a Sergeant in the Borders Regiment

Peter is shown in the 1891 census at an undisclosed address in the parish of Lochs. He is aged 4, the son of Farquhar (43, gamekeeper) and Annabella (29). His siblings include Mary (7), Margaret J (6), Williamina (2) and Jessie (3 months). In the decade that followed, Alexander, Duncan and Donald J were added to the family.

Apart John (not featured in the 1901 census) and Alexander, Duncan also served, as a lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade.

Stornoway Gazette
We regret to have to announce the death of Lieut. Peter Mackay Macrae, Northampton Regiment, eldest son of the late Mr Farquhar Macrae and Mrs Macpherson, Lewis Coffee House, Stornoway. Lieut. Macrae, with his brother, Lieut. Duncan Donald Macrae, joined the Border Regiment together immediately war broke out. They both rose to the rank of Sergeant in the Borderers, both were badly wounded in France, both were recommended otgether for commissions for services in the field and both were gazetted about a month ago. In a recent letter, Lieut. Peter says:
"I am quite in my element once more, as fighting agrees with me down to the ground".

Writing on 22nd December 1917 (two days before he was killed in action), he says:
"I am well; in the middle of a battle it's great sport."

Mrs Macpherson's second son, Alick, is a Sergeant in the Canadians, and was wounded, but is again in the firing line. A younger brother, John, came from London to join the Seaforths rather than go into an English regiment. A few weeks ago, he was awarded the Military Medal. Three of the Macrae sisters are at a munitions work in Woolwich Arsenal.

William Patrick Macleod, 9 South Beach Street, Stornoway

Corporal WILLIAM PATRICK MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 9 South Beach Street, Stornoway
Son of Murdo and Donaldina Macleod, of 9, South Beach, Stornoway.
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/3116
Enlisted at Edinburgh
Date of death: 5 November 1917 at the age of 31
Killed in action in Mesopotamia
Memorial: Basra Memorial, Iraq, Panel 37 and 64
Mentioned on family gravestone in Sandwick Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, middle panel

We find William (marked as William R. Macleod on the census transcription) at 4 Cromwell Street, Stornoway in the 1891 census return. He is a boy of 4, the son of Murdo (46, Banker & Chief Magistrate) and Donaldina (36). Other siblings include Kenneth A M (8), Margaret (6) and Catherina Jessie (3).

John Maclean, Shell Street, Stornoway

Captain JOHN MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: Shell Street, Stornoway
Service unit: Merchant Marine, SS Hector
Date of death: 14 November 1914
His ship disappeared in a storm in the Bay of Biscay on passage to San Sebastian
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Hugh Murray Mair, 2 Shell Street, Stornoway

Gunner HUGH MURRAY MAIR
Last address in Lewis: 2 Shell Street, Stornoway
Son of James Mair and his wife Margaret Murray, of 2 and 3, Shell St., Stornoway, Scotland.
Service unit: 12th Australian Field Artillery
Service number: 255 A
Date of death: 9 May 1917 at the age of 25
Killed in France
Memorial: Villers-Bretonneux Memorial,
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial
Crewed the first boat to land at Suvla Bay, and the last boat to evacuate Gallipoli
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel

Height: 5 ft 9 in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Black
Religious denomination: Presbyterian

Joined up in Melbourne
Age at attestation: 26 years

Brother of Joseph James Mair, who died at Melbourne in 1919. 
The Mair family, who lived in the backhouse of 3 Shell Street, Stornoway comprised of 7 children in 1901. Elsie (15), Joseph J (14), Maggie (13), Williamena A (11), Hugh M (10), Victoria (7) and Eliza J G (5). Their parents were James (52), a fishcurer, originally from Portknockie, Banffshire; and Stornoway-born Maggie (45).

Joseph James Mair, 2 Shell Street, Stornoway

Private JOSEPH JAMES MAIR
Last address in Lewis: 2 Shell Street, Stornoway
Son of James Mair and his wife Margaret Murray, of 2 and 3, Shell St., Stornoway, Scotland.
Service unit: Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train
Service number: 404
Date of death: 28 February 1919 at the age of 32
Died in Melbourne, after being discharged due to non-service related injury in 1917.
Interred: Brighton General Cemetery, Victoria, Presb. N. Grave 88
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson WW1 memorial, right panel

Height: 5 ft 8¾ in
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Black
Religious denomination: Presbyterian
Occupation / trade: Seaman

Joined up in Melbourne
Date of attestation: 26 July 1915
Age at attestation: 33 years

Brother of Hugh Murray Mair, who was killed in action in France in 1917.

The Mair family, who lived in the backhouse of 3 Shell Street, Stornoway comprised of 7 children in 1901. Elsie (15), Joseph J (14), Maggie (13), Williamena A (11), Hugh M (10), Victoria (7) and Eliza J G (5). Their parents were James (52), a fishcurer, originally from Portknockie, Banffshire; and Stornoway-born Maggie (45).