Burgh of Stornoway

William Grant (Stornoway Gazette),
Editor, Loyal Lewis, Roll of Honour

THE BURGH OF STORNOWAY.

Population last Census, 3980: (Males, 1759; Females, 2221).

THE Burgh of Stornoway contributed in no small degree to the magnificent record of the Island of Lewis as a whole, and we have had our full share of the sorrows as well as of the honours of war. Stornoway boys flocked to the colours from all quarters of the globe. In the land forces they fought on every front ; on the sea, the old town was represented in every important battle and in many minor engagements and exploits.

Quite a number of our men were mobilised with the 3rd Battalions of the Seaforths, Camerons. and Gordons, and were sent to Flanders in the vanguard of the Expeditionary Force. The first of them to fall was Neil Smith, Keith Street, on 13th October, 1914. Three days later Donald Stewart, Bells Road, was killed, and in quick succession came news of the death of Malcolm Crockett, Bayhead ; Malcolm Mackay, Newton ; and Donald Kennedy, Keith Street. Of the gallant band of our Militia boys who were with the "Old Contemptibles" but few, alas, escaped with their lives. All honour to the men who first met and outfought the Hun when he was immensely superior in numbers and munitions ! Upwards of 70 town lads were mobilised with the Ross Mountain Battery, and interest in the attempt to force the Dardanelles was immeasurably heightened for the community when it became known that the Battery was detailed for service in the land operations there. We were particularly proud of the fact that they were the only Territorial artillery unit selected to serve with the 29th Division in that desperate undertaking. How they took their baptism of fire with a gallantry unsurpassed by the seasoned troops with whom they co-operated, and how they played their part on the Peninsula, and in other theatres of the war, is described elsewhere in these pages by the graphic pen of Sergt. A. J. Macleod, of the Battery (afterwards Lieut., R.G.A.).

In New Zealand. Australia, Africa, the Argentine, Chili, as well as in Canada, the call of the Mother Country met with a ready response from Stornoway men. The spirit that animated these dauntless fellows may be symbolised by the case of Donald Macrae, New Street, who formed one of a little band of seven who travelled from Fort Nelson a thousand miles to Winnipeg in order to enlist. Two hundred and fifty miles of it was done on foot through swamps. They had rivers to cross and had to hire Indians to ferry them in their canoes. Often their clothes were frozen on them, and they had to stop to light a fire to thaw themselves. The officer who enrolled them at Winnipeg said he heard of their coming from Nelson, and wanted to get the bunch, as, said he, any man who came over the Nelson trail can come through anything. Unfortunately, like many another Lewis Colonial, Macrae found a hero's grave in France, where he died of wounds in July, 1916.

Altogether 116 Stornoway men gave their lives in the war, representing over 16 per cent, of the number serving. No less than 12 families suffered double losses, namely, that of the late Mr John Macfarlane, Inspector of Poor; Mr James Mair, fishcurer ; Mr Donald Macleod, 38 Point Street; Mr Murdo Stewart, Bells Road; Mrs Mackinnon, 8 Newton Street; the late Mr Alexander Stewart, cooper, Scotland Street . Mr Neil Murray, tailor, Church Street ; the late Captain Macdonald, 37 Keith Street: Mr Alexander Smith, 2 Maciver's Buildings; the late Mr Donald Macleod, contractor, Keith Street; Mr Angus Murray, 6 Maciver's Buildings: and Mr George Macdonald, 52 Bayhead Street, who was himself on service, along with his six sons and two sons-in-law. One family, that of the late Mr Robert Nicolson, Plantation Road, lost three sons.

The list of war honours shows that Stornoway men and women distinguished themselves ashore and afloat. Sister M. B. Martin, Cromwell Street, and Sister Annie Buchanan, Marybank, were awarded the Royal Red Cross decoration. Sergt. Hector Mackenzie, Bells Road, won the D.C.M. with bar, and also received the Order of St Stanislaus from the Russian Government. The Croix de Guerre was awarded to Major Alfred L. Robertson, O.B.E., R.A.M.C, and Major J. N. Anderson, R.F.A. Captain Charles P. Anderson, R.F.A., won the Military Cross, as did also Lieut. Kenneth Maciver, R.F.A. , and Lieut. Murdo Maclean, R.F.A. Captain Lawrence W. Bain, R.A.M.C, and his brother, Lieut. Angus A. Bain, were both awarded the Military Cross. Quite a number received the Military Medal. Sergt. Donald Macfarquhar, South African Expeditionary Force, was twice mentioned in despatches, and received the Belgian Medal Militaire. James Sutherland, 63 Bayhead, was awarded the Croix de Chevalier Legion of Honour, for his services as special guide to the Lake Nyassa Field Force. Lieut. Alex. M. Murray, R.E., received the Order of St Stanislaus for his services with the White Sea expedition. Of the sea awards the most notable was the Distinguished Service Cross awarded to Lieut. Alexander J. Mackenzie, R.N.V.R., commanding officer of the "Marguerite," O. 154, for a successful fight with enemy submarines. The lists for Stornoway which follow will be found arranged on the following plan: —Newton, James Street, South Beach, North Beach (including Point Street and the small cross streets), Cromwell Street, Bayhead; streets running East and West (commencing with Scotland Street), streets running North and South (commencing with Kenneth Street), ending with Matheson Road and the Castle Policies.

WILLIAM GRANT.