Malcolm Macdonald, 25 Tobson, Great Bernera

Private MALCOLM MACDONALD
"Murchadh Chaluim Aonghais Duinn"
Known in his family as Murdo
Last address in Lewis: 25 Tobson, Great Bernera
Son of Malcolm and Mary Macdonald.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7383
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of birth: 12 October 1897
Date of death: 25 April 1915 at the age of 17
Killed in action
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 38,
Local memorial: Great Bernera

Malcolm was one of the 4 children of Malcolm and Mary, the others being Catherine (1894), John George (1900) and Donald (1903).

His brother John George was in the RNR; Angus in the Ross Mountain Battery. These three survived the war.

Battalion war diary, 25 April 1915
The battalion has moved from Bailleul in France to a position near Wieltje, northeast of Ypres in Belgium. Their involvement with the battle starts today.

Very wet indeed.
Moved into position for attack at 4 am.
Attack commences at 5.30 am. Brigades from left to right. R Warwickshire Reg - Seaforth Highlanders - R Dublin Fusiliers - R Irish Fusiliers.
Came under heavy fire when getting into position before attack commenced. Finally took up a position and dug in as well.
6.30 am Absolutely great except for a great deal of shelling on eastern flank. Line readjusted and altered after dark. Trenches improved.From right to left companies B C D
Very wet day till 8 am - fine afternoon. Weather was very hot and sunny. There was a great deal of shelling all the time.

Officers killed: 20
Killed: 61
Wounded: 239
Died of wounds: 12
Missing: 16

Kenneth Macdonald, 24A Tobson, Great Bernera

Private KENNETH MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 24A Tobson, Great Bernera
Son of Angus and Catherine MacDonald, of 24, Valsay, Bernera, Stornoway, Scotland.
Service unit: 3rd Battallion (Central Ontario) Toronto Regiment, Canadian Infantry
Service number: 9339
Date of death: 15 June 1915 at the age of 21
Died of wounds sustained the previous day,
Interred: Lillers Communal Cemetery, grave II. C. 33
Local memorial: Great Bernera

Kenneth was one of the seven children of Angus and Catherine, the others being Ann (1891), John (1895), Catherine (1897), Donald (1898), Angus (1900), Peter (1903), Chirsty Ann (1908),

His brother John was in the Royal Naval Division and POW in Germany from October 1914. His brothers Donald and Angus served in the RNR.

Date of birth: 20 November 1893
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 6½ in
Complexion: Fair
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Fair
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Meter inspector
Volunteered at Valcartier on 22 September 1914

Donald Macdonald, 13 Tobson, Great Bernera

Leading Seaman DONALD MACDONALD
"Domhnall Aonghais Thormoid", "Domhnall Ruadh".
Last address in Lewis: 13 Tobson, Great Bernera
Son of Angus and Mary Macdonald, was married
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Ganges
Service number: 2688/B
Date of birth: 14 October 1882
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 36
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire, was never found
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 32

Donald was one of the 5 children of Angus and Mary, the others being Angus (1888), twins Angus and Catherine (1894), Ann (1876, died aged 7 months) and Ann (1878).

Donald married in 1910 and had two children, Peggy Ann (1911) and Angus (1912).

His brother Norman was in the RNR and was torpedoed on HMS Otway; Angus was in the Royal Naval Division and interned in Holland; another Angus was in the Scottish Rifles and injured twice.

Donald Bannerman Macdonald, 13 Tobson, Great Bernera

Signaller DONALD BANNERMAN MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 13 Tobson, Great Bernera
Son of Malcolm and Margaret Bannerman Macdonald, of 106, Roslea Drive, Dennistoun, Glasgow.
Service unit: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, HMS Brisk
Service number: Clyde Z/8157
Date of death: 2 October 1917 at the age of 19
Died in accident in the Mediterranean
Memorial: Portsmouth Naval Memorial, panel 28
Local memorial: Great Bernera

Educated at Allen Glen School, where he was Head Master's Secretary during his last year.

Angus Macdonald, 7 Tobson, Great Bernera

Seaman ANGUS MACDONALD
"Aonghas Thormoid Aonghais"
Last address in Lewis: 7 Tobson, Great Bernera
Son of Norman and Mary Macdonald, of 7, Tobson, Bernera,
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Laurentic
Service number: 3467A
Date of birth: 24 July 1890
Date of death: 25 January 1917 at the age of 28
Ship sunk by U-80 off Malin Head
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 26
Local memorial: Great Bernera
Decoration(s):1915 Star

Served in the Howe Battalion from 19 September until 27 October, and was discharged to RN Barracks Portsmouth.

Angus was one of the nine children of Norman and Mary, the others being Catherine (1882), Margaret (1884), John (1886), Donald (1888), Norman (1893), Johnny (1895-1897), John (1897) and Malcolm (1902).

Four of his brothers also served in the RNR, of whom Donald was discharged due to ill health in 1917. John senior, John junior and Norman were the others, who all survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette
Seaman Angus Macdonald, 7 Tobson [whose] loss, in the sinking of the Laurentic, is deeply deplored. Angus joined at the age of 19 and was for seven years in the service. He was of a quiet disposition and was an excellent son and brother. He has three other brothers in the Navy, two being on HMS Orama and the other on another auxiliary cruiser. Much sympathy is felt for his father and mother, as both are in very indifferent health.