Planasker School District

Wm Kerr
Planasker School

PLANASKER SCHOOL DISTRICT.
(Marvig and Calbost,)
Population last Census, 303 (Males, 194: Females, 199).

THE sons of Park hold a proud position in the annals of the Great War. In the far-flung battle line were to be found gallant lads from the isolated villages of Marvig and Calbost. Old boys were there also from Australia, Chili, America, and one brave Canadian, Alick Morrison, 20 Marvig, remains at rest on a hard-won field.

Prompt to answer the call, the first great shock of arms found them ready, and Mons medals are now no rarity in the above villages. Among the earliest to give up their lives were Rod. Kennedy (Murdo), Neil Morrison (John), and Dugald Kennedy (Donald). In less stirring times these brave boys would have been at school , but two of them sailed away in the "Clan Macnaughton" and now sleep in the grey waters of the North Sea. Rod. Kennedy was the son of an old warrior, and died for home and country on a well-fought field. Thus in the spirit of Lewismen, fathers, sons and brothers went forth to face the foe, while all the world wondered. What of the homes ? During these dreaded years 1914-1918 there was that quiet resignation to God's will, which has ever been the birthright of Lewis maids and mothers.

Anxiety there certainly was, when news of battle came, and when wounded heroes paid a flying visit to their homes they were received with a deep, quiet joy which was sometimes pathetic. The  sparkling eye of the mother, of the sister, of a loved one, dimmed for a moment by tears, spoke volumes, but there was no holding back. Duty called and all obeyed.

On the School Roll of Honour there are 70 names placed as follows : —
R.N.R. and other sea units—43.
Seaforths and other land units—27.

The Regiments represented were—Seaforths, 6 ; Camerons, 5 ; Gordons, 1 ; Canadians, 6; Australians, 1 ; Chili, 1 ; American Navy, 1 ; A. & S. Highlanders, 1 ; Life Guards, 1 : Labour Corps, 3 ; Scottish Rifles, 1.

Among the soldiers 12 were wounded, some three times, and 4 lost their lives, while one is reported missing, Rod. Finlayson (Roshen), now presumed dead.

Among the sailors 5 brave lads lost their lives at sea. Three spent the long years in Holland. One remained all the time in Germany, and one, Ian (Alick) Mackenzie, went down with the "Iolaire." Another Marvig lad, Rod. Finlayson, was on board that ill-fated ship, but he escaped. While death and wounds came to some the honours of war were not awanting among the gallant band of lads belonging to Planasker.

Sergt. Murdo Macfarlane, 10 Marvig, and C.S.M. Murdo Morrison, 9 Calbost, both won the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery in the field.

Probably no other men since the Crusades of old have run such a gamut

of most disastrous chances;
Of moving- accidents by flood and field;
Of hairbreadth 'scapes i' the imminent deadly breach
Of being taken by the insolent foe.

Prompt to the call of duty they faced the foe ; they prevailed, and some sleep away from borne.

They quit them like heroes and
every man a King.

Planasker Schoolhouse.
WM. KERR.