John Stewart, 50 Vatisker

Seaman JOHN STEWART
Last address in Lewis: 50 Vatisker
Son of Kenneth Stewart, of 50, Vatisker, Back, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Navy, HMS Pembroke
Service number: 3131/A
Date of death: 13 January 1917 at the age of 27
Died of illness
Interred: Gress Cemetery
Local memorial: Back

John is shown in the 1901 census aged 11, at home with his parents Kenneth (42) and Christina (32) as well as his siblings Kenneth (8), Catherine (6) and Neil (2).

His brothers Neil and Kenneth also served in the RNR, but survived the war.

John Ferguson, 32 Vatisker

Private JOHN FERGUSON
Last address in Lewis: 32 Vatisker,
Son of Evander Ferguson
Service unit: 5th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 242138
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 9 April 1917
Killed in action
Memorial: Arras Memorial, bay 8.
Local memorial: Back

John is shown in the 1901 census aged 7 at home with his parents Evander (54) and Margaret (44) as well as his siblings Jessie (8), Mary (4) and Donald (3 months). 

John Morrison, 30 Vatisker

Seaman JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 30 Vatisker
Son of Roderick Morrison
Service unit: Royal Navy, HMS Pembroke
Service number: 2409/C
Date of death: 5 November 1917
Was invalided home and died there of illness.
Interred: Gress Cemetery
Local memorial: Back

John died of a cerebral tumour. He was married to Margaret (nee Murray). His brother James registered the death.

John Macleod, 29 Vatisker

Seaman JOHN MACLEOD
Son of Alexander and Ann MacLeod, of 40; Coll, Stornoway;
Husband of the late Christina Maciver MacLeod.
Last address in Lewis: 29 Vatisker,
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMY Iolaire
Service number: RV/2/2628/SA
Date of death: 23 October 1918 at the age of 33
Invalided home, died of illness
Interred: Gress Cemetery
Local memorial: Back


John is shown in the 1901 census aged 15, at 29 Vatisker with his parents Alexander (51) and Ann (50) as well as his sisters Ann (24) and Jane (17). Also present is a woman named Catherine (22), who is a fishworker and a visitng crofter, Jane Murray (50).

His brother William also served in the RNR but survived the war.

Stornoway Gazette, 1 November 1918
We deeply regret to record the death of Second Hand John Macleod, Brevick, Back. John was a very successful fisherman and joined up when the call came. While on patrol duty, he contracted a chill, which he nevere completely shook off and was in consequence discharged. He was held in high respect which was evident from the unusually high turn-out at his funeral. Much sympathy is felt for the widow who already lost a brother, Lance-Corpl Murdo Maciver, in the war.

George Maciver, 24 Vatisker

Lance Corporal GEORGE MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 24 Vatisker,
Son of John Maciver
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7197
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 23 February 1917
Killed in action
Interred: Amara War Cemetery, grave XXI. A. 13
Local memorial: Back

George is shown in the 1901 census aged 4, the son of John (37) and Mary (36) in Vatisker, and brother to Catherine (15), Alexina (12) and Alexander (2). 

His brother Alex M. also served with the Seaforths, but survived the war.

Alexander Beaton, 15 Vatisker

Private ALEX BEATON
Last address in Lewis: 15 Vatisker,
Son of Annie Beaton
Service unit: 43rd Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment)
Service number: 859742
Date of death: 6 May 1917 at the age of 29
Killed in action
Interred: Petit Vimy, British Cemetery, grave A. 9
Local memorial: Back

Date of birth: 13 August 1887
Place of birth: Isle of Lewis
Height: 5 ft 9½ in
Complexion: Dark
Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Dark
Religion: Presbyterian
Trade / occupation: Farmer
Current address: Fort William, ON
Volunteered at Winnipeg on 9 March 1916 


His brothers Alexander D and Murdo served in the RNR, whilst Angus was in the Canadian Army.

Stornoway Gazette
Alexander Beaton, Canadian Contingent, [...] was killed in France on 6th May 1917. Pte Beaton was a son of Widow Norman Beaton, Vatisker, and he was the mainstay of the family. Mrs Beaton received the following letter from Capt. Chaplain R. W. Ridgeway, Canadian Contingent:
"The sad news of your son's death will have reached you by the time you get this letter. He was killed in action on May 6th. I had just come out of the line a few hours, so Capt Kilpatrick took the funeral. Your son is buried with some of his companions on a quiet spot on the slope of Vimy Ridge. This spot is to be made into a proper cemetery and fenced. A proper cross will be erected over his grave. God comfort you and strengthen you to hear this great trial. May we all be so inspired by these sacrifices that we may be true Christians and better soldiers. It is hard to see our boys go, but do let us remember that the lad who had given his life for God's cause - the cause of right and freedom - has done the grandest deed a man can perform in the world. Your lad is not dead; there is no death for those who follow Christ and give their best as he gave. Your son serves today in higher ways a greater King, in that new sphere of life to which he has gone. Our hearts are lonely, but we are glad and proud for their sakes, because they have done the grand thing and chosen the harder way - the way of Christ and the Cross. 

Norman Macleod, 14 Vatisker

Lance Corporal NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 14 Vatisker,
Son of Norman Macleod
Service unit: 8th / 10th Gordon Highlanders
Service number: S/5650
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 11 April 1917 at the age of 24
Killed in action
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 8 and 9
Local memorial: Back
Thrice wounded

Norman is shown on the 1901 census aged 6, with his parents Norman (44) and Catherine (45) at home with his siblings Margaret (18), Angus (9), Norman (6) and Donald (3).

Donald Maciver, 13 Vatisker

Private DONALD MACIVER
Last address in Lewis: 13 Vatisker,
Son of Kenneth Maciver
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7218
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 26 April 1915
Killed in action at Hill 60
Interred: Seaforth Cemetery, Cheddar Villa, B. 1. (Headstone "A" 29).
Local memorial: Back

The 1901 census shows Donald, aged 4, at 13 Vatisker, living with his parents Kenneth (30) and Isabella (28) as well as his siblings John (6), William (3) and George (1 month). The family share the house with Isabella's parents Angus and Isabella Macleod, both aged 60.

Donald's brother William served in the RNR, and his brother John was a corporal in the Seaforth Highlanders. 

Alexander Campbell, 8 Vatisker

Seaman ALEX CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 8 Vatisker,
Son of Norman Campbell
Husband of Jessie Campbell, 8 Vatisker Park
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Victory
Service number: 2999/C
Date of birth: 20 January 1878
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 40
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire, was never found
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 32
Local memorial: Back

Murdo Murray, 7 Vatisker

Private MURDO MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 7 Vatisker,
Son of Neil Murray, of 7, Valisker, Back, Stornoway.
Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/7334
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 15 May 1917
Killed in action
Interred: Etaples Military Cemetery, grave XVIII. N. 13
Local memorial: Back

Although Murdo is not shown on the 1901 census, the family is visible at 7 Vatisker. Neil (48) and Margaret (44) as well as their children Kenneth (11) and Katie Ann (7). Murdo appears in the 1891 census, aged 4, when Kenneth is aged 1.

Kenneth served in the US Army and survived the war.

Murdo Macleod, 6 Vatisker

Private MURDO MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 6 Vatisker,
Son of Murdo MacLeod, of 6, Vatisker, Back, Stornoway.
Service unit: 10th Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 316207
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 21 March 1917 at the age of 23
Killed in action
Interred: Gress Cemetery
Local memorial: Back

Murdo is shown in the 1901 census as the youngest child (aged 4), the son of Murdo and Marion (both aged 44). Their other children were, at the time, Allan (18), Alexander (14), Ann (15), Rachel (12), Catherine (9) and Isabella (6).

Stornoway Gazette
Death of a Soldier
The sad news reached here during the Communion week that Pte Murdo Macleod, Vatisker, had died in hospital in London at the early age of 20 years. Murdo was in the Gordon Highlanders and joined up in August 1914. He was one year in France, and the cold of the trenches told on a constitution never too robust, and he was invalided home. His trouble developed into pleurisy, and thought he sometimes rallied, he was too run down to fight the attack, and he passed peacefully away. His remains were taken home and interred in Gress Churchyard. The sympathy of the district is extended to his parents and sisters.

Norman Maclean, 5 Vatisker

Gunner NORMAN MACLEAN
Last address in Lewis: 5 Vatisker,
Son of Donald Maclean, of 5, Vatisker Back, Stornoway.
Service unit: 4th Highland Mountain Bde, Royal Garrison Artillery
Service number: 4335
Enlisted at Stornoway
Date of death: 18 May 1915 at the age of 22
Died in Egypt
Interred: Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, grave L. 194
Mentioned on family gravestone in Gress Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Back; Nicolson Institute WW1, middle panel

Norman was 19 years and 6 months old when he enlisted on 29 April 1912. He was sent to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 19 March 1915. He arrived at Alexandria, Egypt on 2 April, and proceeded to Gallipoli on April 8th. On 7 May 1915, he was admitted to hospital in Gallipoli for a nervous breakdown. His death, according to official records, was caused by acute religious mania.

Norman is shown on the 1901 census aged 8, the son of Donald (56) and Ann (50) and brother to Catherine (25), Mary (17), Kenneth (13) and Alexander (11). By the time Norman died in Egypt, his parents had both passed away within days of each other in 1907, and his brother Alexander had drowned a few weeks after the death of his parents. Although pre-dating the birth of Norman in 1893, the 1891 census also reveals two elder sisters, Henrietta (11) and Ann (9).

His brother Kenneth served in the RNR and survived the war.

Donald Campbell, 3 Vatisker

Leading Seaman DONALD CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 3 Vatisker,
Husband of Catherine Campbell, of 3, Vatisker, Back, Stornoway.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Service number: 2058/C
Date of birth: October 1887
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 50
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Gress Cemetery
Local memorial: Back