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| Neil M Macleod |
The connection existing between the Island of Lewis and the great city of Glasgow—brought about partly through commercial relations, but in infinitely greater measure by reason of the very considerable number of natives of the island who have made Clydeside the "land of their adoption"—is of so firmly established a nature that a book such as this would be obviously incomplete if within its pages the reader failed to find a record, albeit brief, disconnected and imperfect, of the part taken by Glasgow sons of Eilean-an-Fhraoich in the greatest War of which this world has hitherto been the theatre.
It would be superfluous, at this time of day, to make any lengthy reference to the loyalty and patriotism of Lewis men and women : but it may be pertinent to observe that the characteristics which have always been the "hall mark" of dwellers in that Western Isle are so thoroughly implanted in the very marrow of the people that these characteristics continue to manifest themselves with undiminished vigour in descendants of Lewismen wheresoever they may happen to be. And so it follows, as a natural corollary, that we find sons and grandsons (many of whom, it may be, know the island but by name) following with resolute determination and commendable fidelity in the footsteps of their ancestors, more especially in the region of naval and military tradition and devotion to King and Country. The influence born of the historic renown of those northern latitudes is undoubtedly powerful. Despite the disturbing elements associated with a city life, the spirit begotten of their fathers, lying dormant within, re-kindles with magic force at the call of danger, thus recalling to mind the beacon fire on the mountain tops of Scotia that awoke the clansmen to battle in the centuries long ago. That spirit has never failed the Highlanders; it never will fail them, for the reputation and the tradition of their fathers are among the proudest and most cherished possessions of those in whose veins courses the blood of valiant men who seem to have no consciousness of danger or of the perils of the field of battle, and in whose vocabulary the word "defeat" may be searched for in vain.
It will, perhaps, be of interest to coming generations to read of the steps generally adopted in Glasgow (as in other large centres) on the outbreak of the Great War, in the way of obtaining recruits for our Army and Navy, more especially as it was through the channel thus afforded that thousands of young Highlanders found their way into the ranks of the "Soldiers of the King" ; and as it was the writer's privilege—by no means a sinecure task—to take an active part in the work of a Recruiting Establishment, from practically the commencement of the War, he will very briefly make general mention of the work.
That work was carried on right through what then seemed interminable years, as the fortunes of war swayed hither and thither on the vast battle-fronts, until, with the introduction, after a period of some three years, of an altered regime, the exigencies of the situation no longer necessitated these voluntary agencies for swelling the ranks of the Army and Navy.
From the early years of the opening of the twentieth century, students of political history who followed with observant vision the signs of the times, could discern—despite feigned protestations of amity and goodwill—the gathering war-clouds lowering on the horizon of central Europe; just as we in the Highlands have so often seen, on a summer's day, the ominous thunder-clouds rolling along with increasing blackness—dark almost as Erebus—the atmosphere rendered sultry and oppressive by the electric fluid with which it is heavily charged—the weightiness becoming ever more tense, until, like "a bolt from the blue," the very gates of elemental fury seem to open, and the pent-up storm bursts forth in awesome grandeur and almost terrifying intensity, and the song of the birds becomes suddenly hushed, as its authors seek refuge amid the seclusion of leafy bowers. Somewhat akin to this did the great war-cloud burst upon the world on that fateful Fourth of August, 1914, which for over four and a quarter long years raged with unprecedented fierceness and severity over so great a part of the Continent of Europe.
And with the bursting of that war-cloud the mirthful joys to which we had all become accustomed as part of the daily life, and the very song and laughter of the children seemed to become suddenly hushed until, amid increasing bereavements and tragedies, we had forgotten the existence of such pleasures. But, through it all, the dogged resoluteness, and pluck, and perseverance of our men and women were never allowed to fail. That the task which Britain had to face was transcendentally the greatest in a long and illustrious history was at once recognised ; and no time was lost in setting the necessary machinery of organisation in motion, with a view to increasing the ranks of our fighting forces. Party politics were, happily, laid aside, as the warrior denudes himself of all trammelling adornments when entering the arena where his prowess is to be put to the test: the homeland was in danger, and—to the lasting credit of every true Scotsman and patriotic Briton be it said—when the common enemy is without the gate, the powerful tie of kindred and of blood rises superior to the inane barriers which have been wont to separate us as men and brothers amid the maelstrom of party strife that has too often been looked upon with unduly magnified and distorted vision. The reader will, let us hope, pardon this slight digression, and we must hasten to dismiss a subject extraneous to the scope of this chapter, justification for the passing mention of which is but to emphasise how ready we Britons are to put country before personal foibles when danger to the Empire looms ahead.
Illustrating the axiom which has just been referred to, the Unionist and Liberal Associations of the College Division of Glasgow (and this is, as already stated, but an example of what was done throughout the City) joined forces, and the Unionist Rooms in New City Road were, on 10th August. 1914-only six days after hostilities commenced—opened as a recruiting centre. So widespread have been the ramifications of the Great War—leaving practically not a home circle untouched in the British Isles—and so familiar are the details of the work carried on at recruiting depots to almost all readers of this publication—so far as the present generation is concerned—that any lengthy reference to that work would not be dis-similar to gilding refined gold or showing a Lewis Naval Reserveman how to handle an oar ! Suffice it then to say that from early morning till late in the evening, day in and day out, we had a constant stream of the flower of our young manhood pouring into the recruiting office, eager to give their services, and, if need be, their lives, in defence of the glorious Empire whose traditions they almost worshipped. Strange, is it not, that youths of little more than school age, many of a rifle barrel, and who read from day to day in the Press of the death in battle of friends of their own, should seem so fearless, and so eager to face the terrors of that grim arena ?
Not a bit of it ! for behind them was the tradition of their fathers, and the example- of the men by whose indomitable courage, loyalty and devotion this Empire had been built up; and the proud and glorious record which had been bequeathed to us was not to suffer dishonour at the hands of the twentieth century Highlander.
Whether or not it leaked out that this particular depot had the assistance of Highlanders (including Lewismen) besides the writer, it is difficult to say, but it is pleasant to record the fact that a very great proportion of the young men who were proud to take the oath of allegiance to his Majesty King George the Fifth hailed from the Highlands—a goodly number of them from the principal isle of the Hebrides. By far the greater number of the men enlisted at this section expressed a preference for serving in Highland Regiments — once again illustrating the old axiom of "shoulder to shoulder" —and, in so far as it was possible to do so, their desires were cordially endorsed by the recruiting staff. Many, very naturally, enrolled in the Navy, having been, metaphorically, born "on the sea." In the early stages of the war, there was little or no difficulty in conceding the very natural wishes of the men; but, as time wore on, and the various localities, like the glens and straths and bays and loch- sides, became denuded of young manhood, and the ranks of the Highland Regiments swelled to such an extent that battalion after battalion had to be added, a goodly number of Highlanders and Islanders
had no option but to enrol themselves in the ranks of Lowland and English Regiments. In this connection it is safe to hazard the remark that the infusion of Highland blood into Battalions of soldiers across the Border was by no means to the disadvantage of the latter. One thing at least is certain, that throughout the whole course of the war, where the fight was hottest and the battle raged fiercest, and where almost superhuman obstacles had to be overcome, there our Highland heroes were to be found. Let it be emphatically clear that no reflection on any territorial division of the British Army is implied ; but it is now matter of history that of all the myriad forces they had to encounter on the field of foray none struck terror into the (one had almost written hearts, but it would be a misnomer!)—none struck terror into the carcases of the once arrogant, boastful Hun like that engendered by finding themselves "up against" the Highlander.
An incident illustrative of this statement is worthy of being recorded in this book. It was related by that gallant and distinguished soldier, Brigadier-General Sir Ian Hamilton on the occasion of his taking part in a special service in the now historic Highlanders' Memorial Church, Glasgow, when, along with other commemorative emblems, the Shield of Arms of His Majesty the King was presented and dedicated. Sir Ian, after extolling the gallant exploits of the immortal 51st Division, which, as the reader knows, was mainly composed of Highland Regiments, told how one day German airmen flying over the trenches occupied by that Division, of whose prowess the enemy had had abundant demonstration in numerous encounters, dropped the message : —"Good Old 51st, Sticking it Still." Verily, as Sir Ian Hamilton remarked, no finer or higher compliment could ever come from an unwilling enemy. In all the volumes written concerning the Great War the most gifted pen of litterateur or historian can indite nothing finer than that spontaneous tribute from the foe.
As time went on, and our Registers rapidly grew from hundreds into thousands, and as one noted those unmistakeable characteristics of the Highlander—chivalry, patriotism and devotion—one felt how fitting were the words in Mitchell's admirable History of Ancient Scotland where, writing of the far away days of the year 86 a.d., he refers to the then inhabitants of northern Scotland flocking to the colours thus:
"From the western sea-board and from the farthest north ;
from the sheltered glen ; from far-extending strath, and
from the margin of the lonely loch, the hardy sons of the
North had rallied to the battle for Freedom, every man
of them eager to measure swords with the proud
legionaries of Rome in defence of Liberty's sacred cause."'
And when, but a few weeks later, many of these grand young fellows looked in to say "Soraidh slan leibh" ere crossing the Channel to prove their mettle at close quarters with the legionaries of the Hun, one could imagine, as one looked with pride on their sturdy, well set-up figures, as if they had come fresh from listening to that historic appeal of the great Tacitus—one of the most soul-stirring appeals on behalf of Liberty that probably was ever penned—concluding with the inspiring counsel—
"As, therefore, you advance to battle, look back upon your ancestors, look forward to your posterity."
How closely the spirit of that appeal was followed by the many sons of Lewis who sacrificed comfort, if not, indeed, comparative luxury, in this great City, as elsewhere, is eloquently testified by the brisf record which is contained in the following pages.
Before passing to the actual records of service, it may be permissible to make a few general observations. First and foremost, what impressed one perhaps more than anything else was the splendid response made by Lewis to the call for men for the Army, Navy and Auxiliary Forces ; indeed, the same may be said of the whole Highlands. One can well imagine with what literal truth it could, during the latter years of the awful struggle, be said that no man between the ages of sixteen and sixty was to be found in great stretches of Tir-nam-Beann, nan Gloann, 's nan Gaisgeach. And when it has to be recorded that in the recruiting office with which the writer had the pleasure of being associated, the number that passed through to the ranks exceeded 7000, and that—to their own keen disappointment—a number totalling not very far short of half that figure who volunteered for enlistment had perforce to be 'turned down," the wonder is not that Britain's legions numbered such a mighty host but that these numbers were not even exceeded.
Another distinctive feature was the fine spirit of camaraderie which seemed spontaneously to spring up beween those who had been keen rivals in separate political camps in what we now term "pre-war" days. Friendships thus formed are amongst one's treasured memories of a time of stress and struggle, and they will certainly continue while the lamp of life emits the ray of light which guides our path along the course which, alas! must one day hasten to a close. And among the many "landmarks" on life's journey of vicissitudes, those of the years 1914-1918—enriched and mellowed by the experiences and sympathies thus gained—are certainly carven the deepest.
But we must not overtax the patience of the reader, or dwell on the subject, despite its alluring interest, else, mayhap, we are accused of pursuing it to the point of monotony. In any event, the circumscribed power of our pen reminds us that the prologue must here end, and we shall now proceed to narrate what are but a very few examples, gleaned from the cases of natives or sons of natives of the Island of Lewis, and get a fleeting glimpse of their part in the Great War. The alphabetical order of surnames has been chosen as that most suitable for the task before us ; for we realise, as we are sure the reader will, that it would be invidious even to attempt anything in the nature of priority. After all, we are dealing with the island as a unit, and that section of its people which is more particularly the object of our contribution, as one family, typical of the grand old motto: —
"Na Gaidheil ri Guallaibh a Cheile."
If the writer ventures, in the course of setting down the following names, to introduce an occasional note concerning the distinctions and traditions of some of the Clans, let it not for a moment be surmised that the object is any other than that of showing how those distinguishing qualities of the
several branches of our Highland clansmen were all blended together into one united whole (in the unprecedented period under review), in the sacred cause of that Liberty and of that Freedom under which this Empire of Britain stands preeminent and incomparable as the pioneer of civilisation and of progress.
The foregoing is but a fragmentary record of the many sons of Lewis who fought for King and Country during those trying years throughout which the war-cloud hung like a dark pall over the land. One would fain have wished to include the name of every serving soldier and sailor, but the impossibility of such a task will be obvious to the reader. That being the kinsfolk of any soldier or sailor, in the mournful words of MacCrimmon's Lament : —
"Nach till gu brath gu latha na Cruinne,"
experience any feeling of disappointment because of the omission of their names from the list ; for this humble tribute is penned not to extol or eulogise any single individual. Its boundary is the sea-girt shores of beloved Eilean-an-Fhraoich, and that queen of the Hebridean isles nestling in the lap of Loch Roag ; and the homage desired to be paid is to all who are proud to claim that northern clime as the land of their fathers.
To those whose good fortune it has been to weather the storm and return safely to port, with (to use a nautical metaphor) rigging intact and gear undamaged, the writer would offer congratulations and good wishes not less fervent than the welcome which greeted their return, bearing the laurels of victory, to the home circle, for the preservation of which they courageously went forth to war.
To those less fortunate amid the dangers of the battlefield, whose indomitable pluck and endurance enabled them to survive the fury of the tempest of war, although, alas ! with shattered nerve and broken limb, and whose honourable scars, sustained in unselfish devotion to the cause they had sworn to defend, they will carry through the remainder of life's fateful journey, would he extend unstinted praise, sympathetic good wishes and the earnest hope that the ravages of the dread theatre of hostilities may be equitably compensated for by admiring kinsfolk and a grateful nation alike. To the glorious dead who, at the cost of their life-blood, kept unfurled and unstained that Banner of Liberty and Freedom under which our Empire has become great and prosperous, and whose supreme sacrifice on the gory field of battle, and amid the hidden dangers lurking beneath the waves of ocean, has left irreparable blanks in many a home circle
"In strath and glen, and street and lane"
what adequate or fitting tribute can one pay 1 Suffice it to say, when power of pen is so limited, that the passing of those noble soldiers and sailors to the Great Beyond proved them steadfast to the proud traditions of the Highland Regiments, and added to the already glorious record of our beloved Tirnam-Beann an imperishable lustre destined to shine in intensified radiance with the passing of the years: —
Leal hearts of Scotland can never forget them,
Mournful the dirge on Lewis' grey shore;
Loyal to King and to Country, they earned
Garland of glory that fades nevermore.
There are many outstanding events connected with the Great War of which one feels tempted to write at a time like this ; many incidents relevant to the subject-matter of this publication, but the risk of trespassing beyond the latitude allowed by the Publisher, must be guarded against. One event, however, of transcendent import to Lewis, we may be allowed to make brief reference to in concluding this chapter; and the reader will have accurately anticipated that our reference is to that appalling disaster of which the shores of the island was the tragic scene in the opening hours of the year 1919, when the disaster to the "Iolaire" carried so many brave sons of Lewis to their doom, and overwhelmed the island in scenes of universal grief and mourning, without precedent in its long annals. That inscrutable txagedy is graphically dealt with by the Publisher in another part of this volume, and our special reason for making mention of it in this chapter is to record amid the varied happenings, calamities, and catastrophies which marked the course of the War, two occurrences in particular stand out pre-eminentlv as having made a profound impression on this great City of Glasgow. The first was the appalling crime—inhuman in its brutality and savage in its ruthlessness—which sent the "Lusitania" to the depths of the ocean, involving the cruel murder of so great a number of defenceless women and helpless children. The other event was that poignantly sad calamity which overtook the ill-fated "Iolaire" when, laden with a crew of human souls, almost touching the very threshold of their homes, she met so cruel a fate on the jagged rocks of the "Beasts of Holm," causing scores upon scores of wives and children who had such joyful hopes of welcoming home husband and father on the first morning of a New Year, to awake up widowed and orphaned. Not alone those having kinship with the Lews, but every human heart in Glasgow was thrilled to the depths by this crowning calamity, surrounded as it was by circumstances which increased its pathos beyond the power of language to express. Those bereft by the disaster were indeed stricken sore ; in their case there was not even the relieving feature of that indefinable pride which, despite the loss of a loved one on the field of battle, affords a mysterious consolation to hearts bowed down in sorrow by the death of those near and dear to them. But Time, the great healer, and that indomitable courage which our womankind so grandly display—
"When the storms of adversity blow,"
sustain alike the grief-stricken through the darkest and most
difficult periods—and for the possession of that admirable
trait, we are justly proud of our women folk.
A word in conclusion. At the annual meeting of the Glasgow Lewis and Harris Association last November, the genial and esteemed proprietor of the island—Lord Leverhulme—made fitting reference to the Lewisman's love for his native soil—a devotion which his Lordship very properly defined as second to none in the world. We Lewismen whose lot happens to be cast in various parts of the world realise perhaps even more keenly than those who dwell in the island how very true this assertion is. The tragedies and the victories of the Great War have but intensified that passionate devotion, and it is the fervent hope and the sincerest wish of the writer that, whatever the future may have in store, every son and daughter of Lewis may be found taking—with credit to themselves and to the Empire to which they are so loyal—a worthy part in all that appertains to the well-being of mankind.
NEIL M. MACLEOD.
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