Airidhantuim School District

AIRIDHANTUIM SCHOOL DISTRICT.
(Lower Shader, Upper Shader, Ballantrushal, Borve and Mid Borve.)
Population last Census, 1153 (Males, 530 : Females, 623).

THIS District embraces the scattered villages of Ballantrushal, Upper and Lower Shader, Borve and Mid-Borve. The advent of the Great War in August, 1914, summoned the men of these villages to take their stand in the Empire's defence, and they all loyally responded. Young and old were to be seen in the throng—men who had seen active service in many parts of the world, and mere striplings who had hardly ever heard the shot of a gun in their lives before.

Close upon 200 men from the district were at the post of duty by the end of the first week, and the number steadily increased as the days and weeks went by. Many "went down to the sea in ships," but the greater part by far were militiamen, and their lot was cast amidst the greater scenes of horror and destruction on the bloody fields of France and Flanders. Before the end of August many of the brave lads had taken their part in helping to stem the onrush of the Hun, and in this connection it may be
interesting to note that Roderick Macleay, 14 Ballantrushal, was among the first draft of the infantry that crossed to France Draft after draft followed, each containing its quota of the district's lads,
until, by the end of September, all who were of military age found themselves in the trenches. There were several instances, however, in which the soldier was only about 16 years of age. One interesting case may be quoted. John Macdonald, 6 Mid Borve, joined the Militia while still of school age : in fact, he was only about 13 years old. He was called up at the outbreak of war and sent to France when he was just 15. He stoutly and persistently refused to be recalled home as being under age, and in
clue time he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and awarded the Military Medal, the true reward of so brave a soldier.

The old folk left at home, who had, naturally, at first been thrown into confusion, began now to take a keen interest in the various phases of the war. The glorious and memorable action off Trinidad between the "Carmania" and the "Cap Trafalgar" first brought home in a real sense the fact that we were at war with an enemy as cruel and remorseless as ever drew the sword, for among the casualties on that occasion was Donald Macleay, 14 Upper Shader, a man with many years in the Naval Reserve to his credit. He was so grievously wounded that both his right arm and right leg had to be amputated. His life was for long despaired of, and his recovery has been a marvel to the surgeons and nurses who tended him in his illness.

The first man to fall in battle was Lance-Corpl. Charles Macleod, Gordon Highlanders, son of Mr John Macleod, 11 Ballantrusbal, who fell at Ypres on the 11th October, 1914, at the age of 19. He was a lad who typified in a wonderful degree the extraordinarily fine characteristics that distinguish the British soldier. He was so strong, so brave, so fearless, and withal so modest. The sacrifice of his beautiful life in defence of his King and country, and of the old folk at home, created a deep and abiding impression.

Those left, however, continued to fight with magnificent dash and valour, and this was exemplified by the award to them of numerous war decorations. In addition to quite an exceptional number of 1914 Stars, the district can boast of one D.C.M., awarded to Corpl. Norman Mackenzie, Seaforths, 10 Mid-Borve; a D.S.M. to Alexander Macdonald, R.N.R., 1 Park. Borve; a Meritorious Service Medal to Sergt. -Major John Maclean, Seaforths, 5 Ballantrusbal, and Military Medals to Corpl John Macdonald, Camerons, 22 Ballantrushal; Norman Macleay, Canadians, 10 Ballantrusbal; Wm. Smith, Gordons, 29 Lower Shader ; Sergt. John Macdonald, Gordons, 6 Mid Borve; and to the late Sergt. -Major Alexander Smith, Seaforths, 15 Ballantrushal, and the late Sergt. Malcolm Mackenzie, Camerons, 1 Mid Borve. Two men from the district held commissions in the R.F.A., while another was a Lieutenant and Quartermaster in the Seaforths. Still another, the Rev. Dr Isaac Macdonald, was a chaplain to the Canadians with the rank of Captain.

When all the families in the district did so well it would perhaps be invidious to make mention of individual households. There are one or two outstanding cases, however, worthy of note. Of the family of the late Mr John Martin, 33 Lower Shader, six sons took their share in the Empire's defence, and one of them died on service in December, 1918. Five sons of Mr Murdo Smith, 29 Lower Shader, responded to the call, and two of them made the; supreme sacrifice in France, while another was seriously wounded and awarded the Military Medal. Of thosei of our lads who had the misfortune to fall as prisoners into the hands of the Huns little can be said save that they were treated with the same system of wanton brutality as was usually the lot of those in their position. They themselves are rather reticent about their experiences, but their emaciated bodies tell the tale. Three men from the district who formed part of the Naval Brigade sent to the relief of Antwerp in 1914 were captured during the retreat, while several others had the same misfortune in France during the following years.

Alas ! that with this splendid record of military glory and enterprise, the toll of life from this district has been exceedingly heavy. In every theatre in which the forces of Britain were engaged in the conflict many of our boys bravely scaled "the toppling crags of duty," only to meet on the top the shadow that sits and waits for all. And all the seven seas increased the toll. Of 52 men on service from Ballantrushal, 15 (or 29 per cent.) gave their lives. 58 men from Upper Shader were on service, and 12 (or 21 per cent.) laid down their lives. 71 men from Lower Shader were engaged, and 17 (or 24 per cent-) made the supreme sacrifice. Of 65 men from Borve, 16 (or 25 per cent.) did not return. In the case of Mid Borve, 18 men were on service, and three fell in France, making a percentage of 17. Four families in Ballantrushal each lost two sons. In Lower Shader there were also four similar cases. In Borve there were three families which each gave two sons.

With the cessation of hostilities in November, people breathed a sigh of relief. No more would the cold official notice conveying the details of the death of someone near and clear come to the district. Already the Borve and Shader losses had been distressingly heavy, but the blow dealt by the loss of the "Iolaire" on the black and never-to-be-forgotten morning of January 1st put all the* previous losses in the shade. The utter prostration and stupefaction that benumbed people on this occasion was incredible. From the Airidhantuim district six men perished that night. Peculiarly pathetic and worthy of special mention was the death of Gunner Malcolm Matheson, R.N.R.T., 10 Upper Shader. As a special reservist in the Seaforth Highlanders he was called to the colours on the outbreak of war, and sent to France towards the end of 1914. There he fought valiantly through all the hot battles of 1915, and, for his gallant conduct at Ypres, was mentioned in Sir John French's despatches. Towards the end of 1915, he was transferred to Mesopotamia, where he suffered all the horrors incidental to that dread climate. In 1916 he was seriously wounded—so seriously that he was temporarily discharged. Anxious to do his bit again, he re-enlisted in the Trawler Section of the R.N.R., and after successfully passing through a course of gunnery at Chatham, was sent to sea as a Gunner on ELM. Trawler "Iceland." Here once again he gave a good account of himself. While patrolling in the North Sea one day, two German Zeppelins were observed making for the English Coast. Matheson at once engaged them, and after a protracted fight eventually succeeded in bringing them both down, whereupon their crews were made prisoners. The fact that he perished within a few yards of his beloved Island made the circumstances of his death all the more poignant. But he died as indeed he lived, faithful and loyal—one of Nature's gentlemen.

Let us always hold in the deepest veneration and ever keep green the memory of "the brave that are no more." By their sacrifices they made possible the triumph of Right over Might, and the establishment of Righteousness, justice and peace amongst the nations of the world. Who can forget their lovable personalities, their sterling worth and their steadfastness of purpose ? Fighting for the emancipation of the world, gladly they toiled, gladly they suffered, and gladly they made the last great sacrifice of all, that "the thousand wars of old may give place to the thousand years of peace."

JOHN MACKENZIE.
(Formerly Schoolhouse, Airidhantuim)