(North Shawbost, Carnan Street, South Shawbost and New Shawbost.)
Population last Census, 913 (Males, 408; Females, 505).
LIKE all other districts in the Lewis the villages of the Shawbost area readily responded to the call, and their sons came from all parts of the world to help stem the tide of barbarism which threatened to overwhelm western civilisation. Out of a population of 408 males, 48 per cent, served in his Majesty's land and sea forces, and the number of decorations and promotions earned testify to the fighting qualities of these sons of the soil.
Two Reservemen, viz., Murdo Mackay, 55 North Shawbo&t, and Colin Mackay, 20 North Shawbost, were awarded the D.S.M., and a young naval engineer, Murdo Macleod, 50 North Shawbost, was awarded the D.S.M. for bravery in Jutland Battle. In the land forces Capt. Murdo Macphail, 8 South Shawbost, was awarded the D.C.M. and the French M.M. Sergt. -Major Donald Macleod, 27 South, the M.M., and was several times mentioned in despatches. Corpl. Angus Murray, 43 South Shawbost (Canadians) was also awarded the M.M., and Sgt.-Major Kenneth Macleod of 45 South Shawbost was awarded the D.C.M. Sergt. D. Maoiver (Canadians), Carnan House, had the honour of being several times mentioned in despatches.
It is sad to relate that some of those who earned these decorations did not live to wear them, and indeed the district lost a large percentage of her gallant boys on sea and land. The village of North Shawbost lost twelve, two at sea and ten in the land forces. South Shawbost lost eight and New Shawbost five. To these again must be added the eleven brave men who lost their lives in sight of home in the ill-fated "Iolaire."
NORTH SHAWBOST,
JOHN MACMILLAN.
Schoolhouse, Shawbost.
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