Glasgow Lewismen

Lieutenant Donald Chapman
5th Scottish Rifles.
This soldier's father belongs to Sandwick, while his mother is from Vatisker, in Back district. Joined as a private in 1915- Wounded in France 26th September, 1917.
It seems a fitting coincidence that the first Lewisman to be here named should have risen to the distinction of Lieutenant.

John Graham
Clydebank, Glasgow; native of Braebhig, Vatisker, Back.
Joined 6th Argyll & Sutherlands in April, 1917 ; transferred to 4tn Seaforths ;
Served in France and Belgium.

Alexander Graham
4th Seaforths;
Son of Murdo Graham, 72 Cathedral Street, Glasgow,
A native of Vatisker, Back. Joining in February, 1915, this young soldier reached the field of battle only six weeks after enlistment. Wounded at Festubert in May, 1915 ; and again by gas-shell at High Wood, 27th July, 1916 ; died in field hospital.
Left a widow and five children.
Here we have a typical example of the "chivalrous and important part" for which the "gallant Grahams" are noted in Scottish History.

John Macarthur
Highland Light Infantry
A native of Carloway. Joined in 1914. Had previous service in Crete, Egypt, the Soudan, and South
Africa.

Kenneth Macarthur
Seaforths
Native of Carloway. Joined in 1914; killed in France.
Two excellent specimens of the British soldier. Despite his veteran service, John Macarthur proved his title to the Clan Motto—"Fide et opera"; while his kinsman earned the highest motto of all—"Faithful unto Death."

Kenneth Macdonald
H.M.S. "Emperor of India"
Native of Carloway; joined in 1914.

It is noteworthy that the men serving on this ship were winners of the Challenge Cup, competed for by the whole Fleet. A gallant sailor of the Clan of whom the celebrated Ardnamurchan Bard sang :—
"Fresh honours ever gaining, disdaining servility, Attacks can never move them but prove their stability."

Donald Macfarlane
Harland St., Glasgow.
Coy.-Sergt.-Major and ex-Sergt. of 1st Seaforths.
Native of Marvig, Lochs. Had 13 years service when he joined up in 1914, and served on 14th Batt., Training Staff.

Corporal John G. Macfarlane
5th Highland Light Infantry, and 4th Seaforth. (A son of above).
Called up on outbreak of hostilities Served in France and Russia. Gassed at Loos. Demobilised Sept., 1919. Rejoined A.S.C. (M.T.)
His mother was a native of Shawbost.

Worthy representatives of a Clan who, in the days of Queen Mary and Langside, arc renowed as being found "in the hottest brunt of the fight."

Duncan Macgregor
Son of Murdo Macgregor, 13 Edington St., Glasgow.
Killed in France.

In giving his life on the field of battle, this soldier hero bravely upheld the reputation of his Clan for "remarkable loyalty and inflexible fidelity."

Donald Mackay
Royal Engineers
Son of Malcolm Mackay, 13 Edington St., Glasgow
Parents belong to Carloway.
He enlisted in 1916 on attaining the age of 18

Signaller John Mackay
Royal Naval Reserve
Joined in Feb. 1916. Served on a minesweeper.
Clydebank, Glasgow.
Native of 39 Coll, Back.

John Mackay
H.M.S. "Apollo."
Native of Carloway.
Joined in 1915. Was then a Divinity student in Glasgow University.

Malcolm Mackay
Army Service Corps
13 Edington St., Glasgow.
Native of Garenin, Carloway.
Enlisted in 1915. Served in France.

These Clansmen right well sustained their motto "Manu Forti"; the Clan repute for "deeds of valour" suffered no diminution in the Great War.

Malcolm Maclean
A. and S. Highlanders
Son of Angus Maclean, 28 Broomhill St., Port-Dundas.
Enlisted in 1917, and served in France.
Parents belong to Shawbost and Bragar.

The maxim of this Clan, that "a Maclean should never turn his back on the foe" has always characterised their part in war; while their war-cry, "Beatha no Bas," has been at all times worthily upheld.

Angus Macleod
Seaforths.
A native of Carloway.
Awarded the D.C.M. for exceptional gallantry under fire.

David Finlay Macleod
Second son of Mr Neil M. Macleod, 24 Barrington Drive. Glasgow, and grandson of the late Mr Finlay Macleod, at one time merchant, Bernera, Lewis.
Mobilised 4th Aug., 1914, 5th (Cameronians) Scottish Rifles; embarked for France 4th Nov. ; served throughout until severely wounded in action at Cambria, 27th March, 1916. After six months' hospital
treatment, rejoined his battalion for home service, afterwards transfened to the Seaforths (Fort-George), thence Labour Corps, and latterly to the Edinburgh R.E., Forth Defence; demobilised 5th March, 1919.

Captain Donald Macleod
Son of the late Angus Macleod, shipwright, Greenock.
A native of Vatisker, Back.
Joined A. and S. Highlanders as a Pte. On obtaining a commission, transferred to the 25th Northumberland Fusiliers ; afterwards in command of the 103rd Light Tiench Mortar Battery. Relinquished his commission in June, 1919, on account of illness contracted on active service.
(Is an uncle of Lieut. D. Chapman mentioned in this Chapter).

Company Quarter Master Donald Macleod
7th A. and S. Highlanders.
A son of John Macleod, 11 Kilbowie Rd., Clydebank.
Joined Oct., 1917 Served in France and Belgium.
His parents belong to Eoropie and Lionel, Ness.

Duncan Macleod
3rd Seaforths
Son of the late Neil Macleod, 23 Elder Street, Govan. His parents belong to Carloway.
Called up on Outbreak of hostilities. Served in France, and was discharged on account of wounds.

James Reid Wilson Macleod
Eldest son of Mr Neil M. Macleod, 24 Barrington Drive, Glasgow, and grandson of the late Mr Finlay Macleod, Bernera, Lewis.
Mobilised 4th Aug., 1914, Glasgow Highlanders; afterwards retained in the Post Office service. At a later period he enlisted in 5th (Cameronians) Scottish Rifles ; went to France in July, 1916, and was transferred to the 9th Kitchener Battalion. Was engaged in continuous fighting throughout. Killed
in action, 23rd March, 1918, at St. Quinten.

Kenneth Macleod
A native of Carloway. Killed on the Italian Front. His brother died of fever in the South African War.

Murdo Macleod
Police Force, Clydebank, Glasgow.
A native of 54 Coll, Back
Joined 1st Seaforths in 1915; wounded in the Persian Gulf, and was lost in, the hospital ship torpedoed near Gibraltar in 1916.

Yet another instance of the appalling inhumanity of the Huns. It is naturally difficult for a Clansman to record in writing anything concerning his own Clan ; and how much more delicate is the writer's position where members of his own family circle are concerned ? But surely there can be no accusation, either of undue reserve on the one hand, or pretentious assurance on the other, if one quotes the historian who writes of the annals of the Clan as "replete with stirring and romantic incident," and if one ventures here to record that their motto, "Hold Fast," was creditably sustained in the stupendous struggle during which many of the Clan made the supreme sacrifice.

Duncan Macphail
A native of Carloway.
H.M.S. "Triumph." Joined the Navy in 1914.
Belongs to a Lewis race whose record may well be said to be the name of the ship on which he served

Robert Macrae
28 Maclean St , Plantation, Glasgow.
Enlisted in the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) in 1915, and served in France.
His mother is a native of Marvig, Lochs.

In the Great War the Macraes well merited the eulogism passed by the historian on a distinguished Clansman who, in the Battle of Strathconan, "acquitted himself with admirable bravery."

George Morrison
Royal Navy.
A native of Carloway; survivor of the "Iolaire" disaster.

Malcolm Morrison
83 Stratford St., Maryhill, Glasgow.
Served in Egypt, Palestine, and France. Is in the teaching profession. The history of the Ness district is rich in the traditions of the Morrisons. The experience of the first-named concerns a red-letter day in Lewis history, which is briefly referred to towards the end of this chapter.

A. J. Murray
Marine Engineer, Glasgow; younger son of Mrs Murray, 25 Newton, Stornoway. Joined up 4th August, 1914; drafted to the Mediterranean shortly afterwards, thence to home waters. In June, 1916, was again transferred to foreign service, and in the "Fox," took part in the bombardment of Gaza and other actions in the East. Demobilised in February, 1919.

Murdo Paterson
15th H.L.I.
A native of Carloway. Killed in France only a few days before the Armistice.
Two sons of this family made the supreme sacrifice.

Here we have a notable example, among very many, where the field of battle made more than one irreparable break in the family circle.

Sapper Murdo Stewart
206th Field Coy., Royal Engineers
Son of George Stewart, 31 Crossburn St., Glasgow (a native of Coll, Back).
Enlisted in March, 1915 Served in France and Belgium, finishing up with the Army of Occupation in Germany.

Corporal Robert Stewart
1st Gloucester; latterly in the M.G.C. (Trench Mortar Section).
Brother of above. Came from Mexico in March, 1915. Served in Mesopotamia and in Palestine. Took part in the capture of Bagdad No name in Scottish history figures more prominently than that of the Stewarts; and the soldier last named is a typical example of the many Scotsmen who came across thousands of miles of ocean to fight in defence of their native land.

2nd Lieutenant Alexander Thomson
M.C., D.C.M.,
Seaforths (T.F.).
Son of Mr James Thomson, merchant, Tong.
Teacher in Glasgow ; enlisted early in the war, and went to France in October, 1914. This gallant soldier was mentioned in the first edition of "Loyal Lewis" as having won the D.C.M., while still a Private, "for conspicuous gallantry on March, 1915, in bringing a wounded man, under heavy fire, a distance of 40 yards into cover, the enemy being only 200 yards away."
Later this brave Leodhasach was promoted to 2nd Lieut., and won that honoured distinction, the Military Cross, when, in charge of a Royal Engineers detachment, he successfully blew up a house from which an enemy machine-gun team was harassing our troops. The "London Gazette" notice says :—"He showed splendid leadership, energy, and courage throughout the operations, and rendered valuable service."—15th October, 1918.

It would again seem most fitting that our list should conclude with the name of so distinguished a soldier, whose gallantry brought him such coveted distinctions.