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| Robert Paterson Knockiandue School |
(Laxay and Keose.)
Population last Census, 341 (Males, 171 ; Females, 170).
IN common with other districts in the Island of Lewis, the men of Keose and Laxay rushed to the colours when the foe was at the gates, and helped to carry the Old Flag to victory both on land and sea. Some, who owed their birth to Eilean an Fhraoich, and had left the heather isle in their earlier years for an adopted home across the seas, responded to the call to assist their countrymen in arms, and hurried at the news of battle to live or die for their country's cause.
How little did teachers dream, when they were instructing the boys a few short years ago in the history of a Bannockburn or a Flodden that, in another brief period of time, they themselves would represent the "boys" in greater battles than either of the above-named famous fields.
Though some, alas ! have gone to that bourne from which no traveller returns, and we shall never again clasp on earth the vanished hand, or hear the sound of the voice that is still, may those who have been left behind to mourn their loss, be comforted by the assurance that they died in a noble cause, and that a grateful nation will never forget to provide for themselves, that they may be enabled to weather the future storms of life, as a reward for the sacrifice of their near and dear ones, who have not fallen in vain, but died that we might live.
While we sympathise with those who have borne the heat and burden of the day, and have returned with maimed limbs and broken down systems, we rejoice that they have been spared by a merciful Providence to mingle with their friends at home again; and that they, too, will receive meet provision for the sufferings and trials they have endured.
Now that the great and ghastly war is over, and the Dove of Peace has alighted on the disturbed nations of the earth, we welcome back to "Blighty" her hardy sons of toil ; and pray that they may long be spared to stand a wall of fire around their much-loved isle.
And as the thoughts of those who have been bereft of husband, son, brother, or lover wander across the Channel to their last resting place on the soil of sunny France, may they be cheered by the recollection that their loved ones sleep as peacefully there as they would have done in the old churchyard of their native village ; that their graves will never be forgotten, and will be tended through the years to come by a grateful country, in memory of duty done.
And if, perchance, in future years, a pilgrimage be made by them to a dear one's tomb, whose welcome while on earth ever smiled, and farewell went out sighing, may their grief be assuaged when they realise that their darling like a soldier fell, and died for his King and Country in a righteous cause.
The Roll of Honour for the above-named district, embracing the townships of Keose and Laxay, contains the names of 71, who served at home or at the front—27 from the former, and 44 from the latter.
The majority of those who hailed from the village of Keose belonged to the Royal Naval Reserve in pre-war days, and though some of them were engaged in the Battle of Jutland all came out of it scatheless.
Two joined the land forces, and, sad to relate, paid the supreme sacrifice, viz., Pte. Roderick Smith, aged 24 years, 7th Cameron Highlanders, son of Mr Angus Smith, Sub-Postmaster, and Pte. John Mackay, aged 31 years, son of Mr Donald Mackay. Pte. Smith was a young man of great promise, and of a kind and cheerful disposition. He endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact, and long will his pleasant face and happy smile be remembered among a wide circle of friends.
The latter, who was much esteemed and respected, emigrated to Canada many years ago, but had never returned to the old home. He will be sadly missed by his many friends with whom he parted in the days gone by, alas ! for the last time on earth.
This village has the distinction of having reared a Private who rose to the rank of Colonel, in the person of A. F. Macdonald, son of the late Mr John Macdonald. Colonel Macdonald acted as Assistant Chaplain-General at the front, and thus wielded the weapons of both peace and war. Two of the sons of Laxay also gained distinction, viz., C.S.M. Donald Maciver, Seaforths, son of Mr Donald Maciver, and Corpl. Donald Maciver, 1st Scottish Rifles, son of the late Mr Murdo Maciver.
The former was awarded the M.M. for bravery in the field, in taking command of his battalion at a most critical moment; and the latter, the D.C.M. for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty," who, sad to tell, died of his wounds in the hour of victory. Though some from this township also served in the Royal Naval Reserve before the beginning of the war, and also took part in the Battle of Jutland without mishap, the majority joined the Army, and served in different Regiments, out of whom six were killed or died of wounds, and one was drowned.
Their names, &c, in order of decease are as follows: —
1. Angus Mackenzie, aged 21 years ; Cameron Highlanders; son of the late Mr John Mackenzie. This young soldier, who was of a quiet and reserved disposition, and was loved by all who knew him, had a hard share in the war, having suffered from frostbite during the first winter campaign, on recovery from which he was again sent into the firing line, where he received his mortal wound.
2. Corporal Angus Maciver, aged 35 years, Canadian Engineers, son of Mr Angus Maciver. This young Corporal emigrated to Canada 10 years ago, where he worked at his trade, as a bricklayer. A comrade, detailing the sad news of his death to a relative, wrote as follows:—"He was a fine fellow, a good soldier, and was much respected by all his brother N.C.O.'s and men. I miss him very much, as there were only the two of us from the same place."
3. Sergt. Alex. Mackenzie, aged 35 years, Australian Corps, son of Mr Malcolm Mackenzie. This young Sergeant, who was a carpenter in Australia at the outbreak of the war, was an affectionate son and brother, and was held in high estimation by all. He was missing for some time, which naturally caused deep anxiety to his relatives, and in the end the sad news arrived that he had died a prisoner of war in the hands of the Germans.
4. Pte. Donald Morrison, aged 23 years, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, son of Mr Donald Morrison. He was of an unassuming and inoffensive nature, and a youth whose memory will ever be kept green. His service at first in the Navy, which brought on his ill-health, led him on recovery to the Army, where he met with his sad yet glorious end.
5. Corporal Donald Maciver, aged 27, 1st Scottish Rifles, son of the late Mr Murdo Maciver. When a boy at school Corporal Maciver gave evidence of future promise, and was of a quiet and orderly disposition. He had a kind and lovable nature, and displayed more than average ability in all he undertook. Owing to the severe nature of his wounds he was unable to be presented with his D.C.M. He received the riband, however, and the Medal was sent to his brother, Roderick Maciver, after his decease.
6. Sergt. George Macdonald, aged 30 years, Howitzer Bty., Canadian Field Artillery, son of the late Mr John Macdonald. Many old schoolmates, both at home and abroad, will remember the happy face of this young Sergeant, who seemed to have been cut out for a soldier. He was of athletic build, and of a military bearing, even when a boy, and was a strapping youth over six feet in height as a Sergeant.
7. Pte. John Macleod, aged 24 years, R.N.R. (Trawler Section), son of Mr Colin Macleod. This young seaman was the only victim from the district of the "Iolaire" disaster, on the New Year's morn of 1919. After many weary days of anxious waiting, his body was recovered from the wreck, and buried in his native churchyard. A young man of prepossessing appearance, and of a kind and cheerful nature, he endeared himself to everyone who made his acquaintance ; and his beaming smile, shared by all, made him a general favourite. The large concourse of mourners who attended his burial gave ample evidence of the deep respect and esteem in which he was held, and of the compassion evinced by the shedding of a flower in bloom. Had it not been that a large number of the Royal Naval Reservists arrived by the "Sheila" the same morning, or the previous one, it is most likely a much heavier human toll would have been exacted from both townships.
There were three narrow escapes from drowning, viz., that of Alex Mackenzie, R.N.R., son of the late Mr Colin Mackenzie, when the "Hermes" was torpedoed ; and of the cousins John Macleod, R.N.R., son of the late Mr Fergus Macleod, also of the same warship, and Malcolm Macleod, leading seaman, R.N.R., son of the late Mr Malcolm Macleod. in the "Iolaire" disaster.
On the female side of the picture, Catherine Maciver, daughter of Mr John Maciver, who at one time was a nurse in the Hospital at Stornoway, had the honour of shaking hands with the Queen and the Princess Mary, on her departure for strvice as a nurse in France. Peggy Macleod, daughter of Mr Malcolm Macleod, joined the Women's Auxiliary Corps as a clerkess. She was an old pupil of Knockiandue Public School, and an Intermediate Bursar at the Nicolson Institute, Stornoway, before the outbreak of the war.
ROBERT PATERSON.
The Schoolhouse, Keose
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