Sandwick School District

SANDWICK SCHOOL DISTRICT.
(Sandwickhill, Lower Sandwick, Holm, Stenish, Melbost, Branahuie and Battery Park.)

Population last Census, 891; [Males, 422 ; Females, 469].

EVEN before the trumpet of war sounded through the British Isles the Sabbath peace of our Township was disturbed by a notice issued by the Admiralty, calling upon all reservists to report for duty. This unexpected summons caused a profound sensation and filled every heart with uncomfortable forebodings which were more than fulfilled by the struggle that followed. Four reservists who were at home at the time—
Neil Macdonald, Alex. Macdonald, Robt. Mackenzie, and Murdo Matheson left immediately by the "Sheila"—the first to leave the island. Mackenzie served in M.S. "Glasgow," and took part in the memorable battle of the Falklands. The whole four came through the war unscathed. Although the inhabitants of this district are to a certain extent seafaring, they contributed more to the Army than to the Navy. Out of a total of 217 men called up, 98 served in the Navy as against 219 in the land forces. Of this total 30 made the supreme sacrifice.

There were several distressing cases of double bereavement: —
Mr Alex. Macdonald, Holm, lost two sons—Donald, Lt.-Commander of the "Ascot." who was drowned when his ship was mined the day before the Armistice was signed : also John, drowned in the wreck of the "Iolaire."

Mr John Macleod, 1 Holm, also lost two sons—John, a Sergeant in the H.L.I., and Donald, a private in the same regiment.

The late Mr James Macleod, Stenish, lost two sons: Malcolm, killed in the Spring offensive of 1918, and Thomas died in hospital from illness brought on by being gassed.

Mr Angus Macdonaid, Stenish, had six sons in the Service, two of whom laid down their lives. Alexander, died in Fiance, and Malcolm, a sergeant in the Canadians, killed while attempting to rescue a wounded comrade.

The most distinguished soldier from this district is Lieut.-Colonel John Macrae, a native of Branahuie. When war broke out he held the rank of Lieutenant, and was rapidly promoted until he finally attained the rank of Lieut.-Colonel. He was awarded the D.S.O. with bar for conspicuous bravery on the field. He was dangerously wounded in Mesopotamia, but made a good recovery. He had three brothers and two sons in the Service. His eldest son John, a most promising youth, was killed in action.

Sergt. Donald Macleod, Sandwick, was awarded the Military Medal and also the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Colour-Sergeant A. J. Thompson, Battery Park, the Distinguished Conduct Medal. C.P.O. Murdo Macaulay, Distinguished Service Medal, and Engineer Philip Morrison, Sandwick, Distinguished Service Medal.

WM. FRASER.
The Schoolhouse, Sandwickhill.