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| Angus Macdonald Balallan School |
Population last Census, 560 (Males, 263 ; Females, 297).
AS almost three years of the Great War had elapsed before the writer was transferred to this School District it is feared full justice can hardly be given to all noteworthy cases. But what has been gleaned from local sources is herein set forth : —
Out of a population of 560 the number who saw service in the different theatres of war from this School District was 70, or 26.6 per cent, of males. 16 men fell, or 22.8 per cent, of those engaged. The first to fall was Pte. George Mackenzie, 46 Balallan, who was killed in action on 11th November, 1914.
Of the heroes who paid the supreme sacrifice perhaps one case stands out prominently amongst the others, in virtue of his comparative youth—that of Donald Sneddon, reared by his grandmother (Widow Marion Macleod, No. 39a) who was in the trenches at the astonishingly early age of 14 years ! and paid the supreme sacrifice shortly after his fifteenth birthday !
Perhaps of all the district's cases of crushing losses (in point of number) that of the above Widow Marion Macleod, No. 39a, is pre-eminent—three sons and above grandson having fallen. It may be mentioned
that on the last (and fourth) son joining the Colours the aged widow—totally blind—was left alone in the house.
In common with those of other districts several natives answered the "Call to Arms" from foreign lands— from Canada, South America, and New Zealand. One man, John Macdonald, son of Mr William Macdonald, No. 19, who was second manager of a farm in Rio Gallegos, is known to have sailed home in February, 1917 (in the s.s. "Vine Branch" of Sunderland), at his own expense, purposely to defend his
Country, but unfortunately the ship went down in the Bay of Biscay on 11th April, 1917. He did his bit !
Of the medical profession 1 joined up—Dr K. Mackinnon, son of Mr Kenneth Mackinnon, Halfway House. Of the teaching profession 3 joined up—Lance-Corpl. Norman Mackinnon, Halfway House; Lieut. Malcolm A. Mackinnon, son of Mr Donald Mackinnon, No. 43, and Pte. Aulay Macleod, son of Mr John Macleod, No. 50. One teacher fell—Lce. -Corpl . Norman Mackinnon.
There were three cases of exceptional hardship : —
(1) Widow Marion Macleod (already mentioned) ;
(2) Mr Donald Mackinnon, 43 Balallan, left alone — all three sons serving ;
(3) Pte. James Smith, 44 Balallan ; had to leave house, property, cattle and sheep stock to the four winds of heaven.
To read the daily "war telegrams" was part of everybody's daily programme, and old and young alike got familiar with distant geographical names. The signing of the Armistice on 11th November, 1918, was a great relief. The villagers and school children contributed various sums of money to war charities. The Peace
Celebrations (19th July, 1919), and the complete suspension of all our normal activities for the space of two minutes on 11th November, 1919, at 11 a.m.—with all that this involved—must have made a lasting impression on school children's minds.
Officers from this School District included 2 Lieutenants ; 3 Q.M.S.'s. Decorations— 1 M.C. (Lieut. Neil Macdonald, 14 Balallan) , 2 M.M.'s (Corpl. Angus Mackinnon, Halfway House; and C.S.M. Malcolm A. Mackinnon, 43 Balallan).
The following were awarded the Mons Star : —
Kenneth Macleod, 10 Balallan ; Donald Kennedy, 29 do. ; Angus Morrison, 41 do. , Donald Macaulay, 60 do. : John Mackenzie, 60 (died a prisoner—sent to next-of-kin) ; George Mackenzie (killed —sent to next-of-kin).
The tragic circumstances of the "Iolaire" disaster on the 1st January, 1919 (when hundreds of brave Lewismen met a cruel fate), claiming two victims from this village, may be more fittingly described in the words of the Lewis Gaelic Bard : —
Se la bliadhn' ur thug silleadh shuil
Trom thurs' air Eilean Leodhais
Cha be creach a h-aon a bh'ann
Bho chean gu ceann bha bron
Na'm b'ann sa chath a bhiodh na Treun
Le faomhar gheur nan dorn
Gu h-umhlachd bheiradh iad a' Namh
Ach Bas cha'n fhaigh sinn fhaigh sinn fodh'nn.
ANGUS MACDONALD.
Schoolhouse, Balallan.
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