Knock School District

KNOCK SCHOOL DISTRICT.
(Knock, Swordale and Aignish).
Population last Census, 845 (Males, 383: Females, 462).

THIS School District has given of its best in the defence of King and Country during the world war, which has happily come to a close by the signing of the Peace Treaty with Germany. Out of a total of 383 males at the last census, there were 202 men (or 52.7 per cent, of the male population) on active service on sea and land, and of these 44, or 21.7 per cent., laid down their lives in the cause of Righteousness and the freedom of mankind throughout the world.

They served in every theatre of war—from the plains of Flanders to the burning sands of Mesopotamia and Palestine. The patriotism and zeal for the defence of King and Country shown by the older men at the beginning of the war spread among the boys attending school, so that many who were then of school age, before completing their sixteenth year joined up for military or naval training, and before attaining their eighteenth year were beating back the German hosts on the battlefields of France and Flanders. It should also be put on record that, while the war went on and our young men were enduring hardships and facing dangers in the trenches, many of our young women were engaged as munition workers in the South. Those at home were also doing their utmost to help the different agencies at work for providing comforts for our men on active service. The toil of life has been distressingly severe, and the darkest cloud of all swept over the district on New Year's morning, 1919, which shall be remembered as long as the Atlantic waves beat on Lewis shores. On that morning over 200 of our gallant Navymen were launched into eternity on the Beasts of Holm within a stone-throw of the shore. Of the nine Navymen from this district on board the ill-fated Iolaire,
only one escaped from the lamentable and awful catastrophe. The mourning and gloom cast over the district was appalling. Many of our brightest and most promising young men, after enduring years of the burden and horrors of war, laid down their lives, and of these special mention may be made of:

1st Lieut. John Macleod, Seaforth Highlanders, Swordale;
2nd Lieut. John Munro, M.A., Seaforth Highlanders, Aignish ;
2nd Lieut. Donald Mackay, Seaforth Highlanders, Headmaster of Kilmaluag Public School, Skye, also from Aignish :
and R.N.R. Malcolm Maciver, Assistant Master of John Neilston Institution, Paisley, Aignish.

The following were promoted during the war:—
Major Donald M. Macrae, South African Medical Corps, Aignish Farm ;
Capt. Duncan M. Macrae, South African Medical Corps, Aignish Farm;
2nd Lieut. John Munro, M.A., Seaforths, Aignish ;
2nd Lieut. Donald Mackay, Seaforths, Aignish ;
2nd Lieut. Roderick Macleod. Seaforths. Aignish ;
1st Lieut. Donald Macleod, South African Rifles,
Sergeant Hector Macdonald, Seaforths, Aignish ,
2nd Lieut. Kenneth B. Macleod, R.G.A., The Manse, Knock;
Sergt. Murdo Macleod, Canadians, Knock;
Sergt. Alex. John Macleod, Canadians, Knock;
1st Lieut. Rev. Alex. Macdonald, South African Rifles, Swordale ;
1st Lieut. John Macleod, Seaforths, Swordale.

Decorated for meritorious work and distinguished conduct in the field: —
2nd Lieut. John Munro, M.C., Seaforths, Aignish;
Sergt. Murdo Macleod, M.M., Canadians, Knock;
Pte. Donald Crichton, M.M.. K O.S.B., Swordale.

Mentioned in despatches: —
Sergt. Alex. John Macleod, Canadians, 5 Knock;
Leading Seaman Donald Macdonald, R.N.R., 20 Knock.

For meritorious service in Mediterranean : —
Leading Seaman Malcolm Macleod, R.N.R., 5 Knock, received a £50 bonus for sinking a German submarine in the Mediterranean.

DONALD MORRISON.
The Schoolhouse, Knock.