Lewis Canadians

Lewis Canadians, returning to Canada after doing their bit.

Top row: J Nicholson, Lemreway; Corpl Donald Macdonald, Lower Sandwick;

Middle row: J Campbell, Marvig; Sergt A Mackinnon, MM, Aird; M. A. Macleod, Garyvard;

Bottom row: James Macleod, Stornoway and Murdo Macleod, Gravir

Tong and Back boys photographed in France

Standing (left to right): A. Mackenzie, Back; N. Macdonald, Tong; D. Mackenzie, Back.

Sitting (left to right): M. Macmillan, Back; A. Thomson, Tong (DCM and MC); J. Macfarlane, Tong; M. Finlayson, Tong (died of wounds).

List of Lewis losses

PARISH OF STORNOWAY.
AIRD
Murdo Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 10 (left widow and four children).
Alex. Mackenzie, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 5 (left widow and four children).
Alex. Mackenzie, Seaman, R.N.R. No. 1 (left widow and five children).

BROKER
Alex. Macleod (Murdo), Deckhand, No. 3 (single). R N.R.

PORTNAGURAN
Alex. Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 1 (left widow and seven children).
Norman Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R. No. 10 (single).

SHADER
Donald Macaulay, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 1 (left widow and three children).
Angus Mackay, Deckhand, R.N.R., (left widow and four children).
Alex. Maciver, Deckhand, R.N.R., No. 19 (left widow and three children).
Donald Macaskill, A.B., R.N.R., No. 14 (single).
Kenneth Mackenzie, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 4 (single).

SHESHADER
Norman Montgomery, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 6 (left widow and five children).
Murdo Mackenzie, A.B., R.N.R., No. 15 (left widow and four children).
Donald Macdonald, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 5, (single).
Murdo Macaulay, Deckhand, R.N.R. No 7, (single;.
William Murray, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 11, (single).
Donald Macaulay, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 13, (single).
John Macdonald, Sen., Seaman, R.N.R. No 20, (single)
John Macdonald, Jun., Seaman, R.N.R No 20, (single; brother of above)
Donald Mackay, Deckhand, R.N.R., No 22, (single).
Norman Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., No 23, (single).

UPPER BAYBLE
John Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., No 43 (widow and five children).
Malcolm Macmillan, Seaman, R.N.R., No 51 (left widow and six children).
John Smith, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 17 (left widow and two children).
Donald Mackenzie, Deckhand, M.M.R, No 22, left widow and five children).

NEW PARK, BAYBLE
William Macdonald, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 44 (single).

LOWER BAYBLE
John Maciver, Seaman, M.M.R. , No. 19 (left widow and five children).
Murdo Maciver, Seaman, R.N.R.. No. 36 (left widow and seven children).
Alex. Macdonald, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 28 (left widow and four children)

GARRABOST
John Macleod, Seaman, M.M.R., 30 Lower Garrabost (left widow and two children).
Norman Mackenzie, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 1 Church Street, Garrabost (single).

SWORDALE
Alex. Campbell (James), Deckhand, R.N.R., No. 26 (single).
Murdo Mackay (Angus), A.B., R.N.R., No. 16 (single).
Roderick Mackenzie, Mate, R.N.R. (left widow and three children).

KNOCK
Angus Macleod (Torquil), Deckhand, R.N.R. No. 18 (single).
Donald Crichton (Alexander), Seaman, R.N.R., No. 15 (single).
Angus Crichton, A.B., R.N.R., No. 12 (left widow and four children)

AIGNISH
Malcolm Maciver, Deckhand, R.N.R., No. 28 (single).
Malcolm Macleod (Donald), Seaman, R.N.R. No. 5 (single).

HOLM
John Macdonald (Alexander), Deckhand, R.N.R., No. 10 (single).

SANDWICK
John Macaskill (Kenneth), Leading Deckhand,. 12 Lower Sandwick (single).

STORNOWAY
John A. Macaskill, Signalman, 75 Keith St. (single).
Donald Macleod, Gunner, 10 Murray's Court (single).
Donald Macritchie, Cooper, 2nd Class, 46 Keith Street (left widow and one child).
W. K. Wilson, E.R.A., R.N., Beach House (left widow and two children).

LAXDALE
Angus Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., 1 New Valley (single).
Alex. Macdonald, W. O., R.N.R., 7 New Valley (single).

BACK
Alex. Beaton, A.B., M.M.R. 37 Coll (single).
Murdo Macleod, A.B., R.N.R., 30 Coll (widower; left one child).
John Morrison, A.B., R.N.R., 10 Coll (left widow and eight children).
William Macleod, Deckhand, R.N.R. 8 Coll (single).
Alex. Campbell, Leading Seaman, R.N.R. , 8 Vatisker (left widow and three children).
Donald Campbell, A.B., R.N.R., 3 Vatisker (left widow).
Donald Macdonald, Deckhand, R.N.R., 11 Back (single).
Robert Murray, Deckhand, R.N.R., Lighthill (single).
John Macaskill, A.B., R.N.R. Lighthill (single).

NORTH TOLSTA
John Macdonald, A.B., R.N.R., No. 1 (widower, left three children).
Donald Macleod, A.B., R.N.R. No. 3 (single).
John Morrison, A.B., R.N.R., No. 8 (single).
Kenneth Campbell, A.B., R.N.R., No. 30 (left widow and two children).
Donald Maciver, A.B., R.N.R., No. 38 (single).
John Maciver, A.B., R.N.R., Hill Street (left young widow).
Donald Campbell, Leading Seaman, R.N.R., No. 44 (left widow).
Evander Murray, A.B., R.N.R., No. 45 (left widow and step-daughter).
Donald Macleod, A.B., R.N.R., No. 58 (single).
Malcolm Macleod, A.B., R.N.R., No. 58 (single; brother of above).
John Maciver, A.B., R.N.R. No. 69 (left widow and two children).

PARISH OF BARVAS.
NESS
John Macdonald, A.B., R.N.R., 18 Skigersta (left young widow).
John Maoleod, A.B., R.N.R., 13 Eorodale (single).
Murdo Campbell, Deckhand, R.N.R., 14 Eorodale (single).
Angus Campbell, A.B., R.N.R., New Street, Lionel (left widow and three children).
Norman Morrison, Deckhand, R.N.R. 17 Lionel (single).
John Murray, A.B., R.N.R., 36 Lionel (left widow and four children)
Angus Macdonald, Deckhand, R.N.R., 3 Port of Ness (single).
Angus Morrison, 1st Class P.O., R.N.R., 7 Knockard (single).
John Morrison, Deckhand, R.N.R., 12 Knockard (single).
William Mackay, Signalman, R.N.R., 7 Fivepenny (single).
Donald Morrison, Deckhand, R.N.R., 11 Fivepenny (single).
Donald Macleod, Deckhand, R.N.R., 5a Fivepenny (single).
Angus Morrison, Leading Deckhand, R.N.R., 15 Eoropie (single).
Donald Macritchie, Deckhand, R.N.R., 34 Habost (single).
Alex. D. Campbell, Deckhand, R.N.R., 41 Habost (single).
Donald Murray, Deckhand, R.N.R., 11 Habost (single).
Roderick Morrison, A.B., R.N.R., Back Street, Habost (left widow and family of eight).
Malcolm Thomson, A.B., M.M.R. , 14 Swanibost (single).
Donald Macdonald, A.B , R.N.R., 13 Swanibost (single).
Murdo Macdonald, Deckhand, R.N.R., 13 Swambost (single ; brother of above).
Malcolm Macleod, O.S., R.N.V.R., 28 Swanibost (single).
Angus Macritchie (Donald), Deckhand, R.N.R., 38 Swanibost (single).
Angus Gillies (Alex.), Deckhand, R.N.R., 35 South Dell (single).

BORVE
Murdo Macdonald, R.N.R., No. 15 (single).

SHADER (BARVAS)
Angus Macleay, A.B., R.N.R., 33 Lower (left widow and four children).
Norman Martin, A.B., R.N.R., 8 Lower (left widow and three children).
John Macdonald, Deckhand, R.N.R., 25 Lower (single).
Angus Morrison, Deckhand, R.N.R., 31 Upper (single).
Malcolm Matheson, Leading Dackhand, 10 Upper (single).

BARVAS
Donald Macleod, Seaman, R.N R., 20 Lower Barvas (single).

BRAGAR
Murdo Maclean, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 6 South (left widow and five children).
John Maclean, Seaman, R.N.R., No 17 South (left widow and four children).
Malcolm Maclean, .Seaman, R.N.R., No 10 South (single).
John Murray, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 30 South (single).
Malcolm Mackay, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 36 South (left widow and five children).
Malcolm Macdonald, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 57 South (left widow and three children).
Murdo Macdonald, Deckhand, R.N.R., No. 3 Fevig (single).
Murdo Mackay, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 7 North Bragar (single).

ARNOL
Angus Maciver, R.N.R., No. 45 (left widow and five children).
Norman Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., No 13 (left widow and two children)
Donald Macdonald, Leading Torpedo-man, No. 35 (single).
Kenneth Macphail, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 24 (single) .

SHAWBOST
John Smith, Deckhand, R.N.R., 11 South (left widow and four children).
Donald Murray, P.O., R.N.R., 43 South (left widow and four children).
Angus Macleod, Deckhand, R.N.R., 11 South (single).
Roderick Murray, Seaman, R.N.R., 25 South (single)
Donald Macleod, Deckhand, R.N.R., 5 South (single).
Donald W. Gillies, Seaman, R.N.R., 30 South (single).
Donald Macleod (Peter), Seaman, R.N.R., 38 North (single).
Malcolm Macleod (Murdo), Deckhand, R.N.R., 29 North (single).
Donald Nicolson, Seaman, R.N.R., 19 North (left widow and seven children).

PARISH OF UIG.
CARLOWAY
Donald Macarthur, Deckhand, R.N.R., 12 Kirivick (left widow).
Malcolm Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., 6 Kirivick (single).
John Macaskill, Seaman, R.N.R., 3 Kirivick (single).
Norman Macphail, Seaman, R.N.R., Knock, (left widow and four children).
Donald Macphail, Seaman, R.N R., 11 Borroston (left widow and five children).
Murdo Mackenzie, Seaman, R.N.R., 15 Garenin (left widow).

TOLSTA-CHAOLAIS
Alexander A. Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 28 (single).

DUNCARLOWAY
Norman Maclean, No. 13 (left widow and four children).

BREASCLET
Malcolm Maciver, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 40 (single).
Donald Macdonald, Leading Seaman, No. 44, (single).

BERNERA
John Mackenzie, Seaman, R.N.R., 8 Breaclet (left widow and one child).
Donald Macdonald, Leading Seaman, R.N.R., 13 Tobson (left 2 children)
Donald Macaulay, Seaman, R.N.R., 4 Hacklet (single).

EARSHADER
Kenneth Smith, Seaman, R.N.R., 1 Earshader (left widow and two children).

UIGEN
John Macleod, Deckhand, R.N.R., No. 17 (single)
Angus Matheson, Deckhand, R.N.R., No 18 (single).

CROWLISTA
Murdo Nicolson, Deckhand, R.N.R , No. 1 (single).
Angus Madonald, Seaman, R.N.R. , No. 6 (single).
Ewen Macdonald, Deckhand, R.N.R., No. 13 (single)
Malcolm Mackay, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 14 (single).
John Macdonald, Leading Seaman, R.N.R., No. 16 (left widow and one child).
Peter Buchanan, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 23 (single).

BREANISH
Murdo Mackinnon, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 18 (single).
George Morrison, Deckhand, R.N.R., No. 28 (single).

PARISH OF LOCHS.
RAERINISH
John Macleod, Mate, R.N.R., No. 31 (left widow and four children)
Alex. Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 21 (left widow and three children).
Donald Macdonald, Leading Seaman, R.N.R., No. 23 (single).
Donald Macaulay, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 41 (single).
Malcolm Nicolson, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 20 (single).

CROSSBOST
Donald Macleod, Deckhand, R.N.R. , No 2 (single).
Malcolm Macleod, Deckhand, R.N.R. , No. 2 (left widow and two children)
John Macleod, Seaman, M.M.R., No. 13

GRIMSHADER
John Macaulay, Deckhand, R.N.R., (leaves widow and five children).
Malcolm Macleod, A.B., M.M.R., No. 3 (single)

LEURBOST
Angus Macleod, Deckhand, M.M.R., No. 46 (single).
Murdo Maclean, Deckhand, M.M.R., No. 39 (single).
Angus Macdonald, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 42 (widow and five children).
Roderick Macdonald, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 36 (single).
Donald Maclean, Seaman, R.N.R., No. 35 (left widow and six children).
Donald Smith, Seaman, R.N.R., No 34 (single)
Kenneth Smith, Seaman, R.N.R., No 28 (left widow and two children)
Alex Mackenzie (Donald), Seaman, R.N.R., No 16 (single)
John Mackenzie (Donald), Seaman, R.N.R., No 16 (single, brother of above)
Alex Mackenzie, Gunner, R.N.R., No 11 (single)
Allan Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., No 11 (single)

LAXAY
John Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., No 25 (single)

CAVERSTAY
Angus Mackinnon, Deckhand, R.N.R., No 4 (left widow and child residing at Dover)

GARYVARD
Alexander Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., , No 1 (single)
Angus Montgomery, Deckhand, R.N.R., No 2 (left widow and eight children)

MARVIG
John Mackenzie (Alexander), Seaman, R.N.R., No 3, (single)

GRAVIR
Donald Macaskill, Seaman, R.N.R., No 9 (single)

LEMREWAY
David Macinnes (Peter), Deckhand, R.N.R., No 2 (single)
Malcolm Macinnes (Murdo), Seaman, R.N.R., No 2 (single)
Murdo Ferguson, Seaman, R.N.R., No 3 (left widow and five children)

BALALLAN
Malcolm Martin, Deckhand, R.N.R., No 21 (single)
Malcolm Macleod, Seaman, R.N.R., (single)

ACHMORE
Donald Smith (John), Gunner, R.N.R., No 5 (single)

Some Knock soldiers

Back row (left to right: Donald Macleod, Aignish; Murdo Macleod, Aignish; Murdo Macleod, Knock; Kenneth Macsween, Aignish, killed 11th August 1915

Front row (left to right): Lieut. Donald Mackay, Aignish, died of wounds, 17th November 1918; Lieut John Munro, MC, Aignish, killed 16th April 1918.

Lost after a miraculous escape

Gunner KENNETH MACPHAIL, R.N.R., son of Mr Malcolm Macphail, 24 Arnol, Barvas, was the sole survivor of the merchant ship in which he was serving as gunner, when she was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean in October, 1917. He had a terrible experience before he was rescued, having been nearly thirty-six hours in the sea before being washed ashore near Cherchell, Algeria.

Notwithstanding his exceptionally strong physique, and the fact that he had a lifebelt on, he was practically exhausted, but was able to gather sufficient strength for the final effort to swim ashore. He was treated with great kindness by the French authorities and English lady missionaries, and made a speedy recovery. The photograph shows him with the little Arab messenger of the Mission Station. Pathetic in the extreme it is to think that this powerful seaman, after so miraculous an escape in the Mediterranean, perished within a few feet of his native island.

Decision of Inquiry

THE great disaster [Iolaire Disaster] formed the subject of a special Public Inquiry held in the Stornoway Sheriff Court House on 10th and 11th February [1919]. Sheriff-Principal Mackintosh presided, and the following jury were empannelled : —Messrs Malcolm Maclean, Point Street; A. R. Murray, Cromwell St. ; George Morrison, Cromwell Street ; Malcolm Ross, Francis St. : John Ross, Bayhead ; Kenneth Mackenzie, Keith St.; and Angus Macleod, Keith St.

Mr J. C. Fenton, advocate, and Mr C. G. Mackenzie, Procurator-Fiscal, Stornoway, conducted the case for the Crown. Mr J. C. Pitman, advocate, Edinburgh, and Mr W. A. Rosa, solicitor, Stornoway, appeared for the Admiralty; and Mr J. N. Anderson, solicitor, Stornoway, for some of the survivors and bereaved families.

The hearing of the evidence occupied the Court for two whole days, and at the close the jury, after an absence of over an hour, returned a unanimous verdict finding that the Iolaire went ashore and was wrecked on the rocks inside the "Beasts of Holm" about 1.55 on the morning of 1st January, resulting in the death of 205 men ; that the officer in charge did not exercise sufficient prudence in approaching the harbour, that the boat did not slow down, and that a look-out was not on duty at the time of the accident ; that the number of lifebelts, boats, or rafts was insufficient for the number of people carried, and that no orders were given by the officers with a view to saving life; and, further, that there was a loss of valuable time between the signals of distress and the arrival of life-saving apparatus in the vicinity of the wreck. They recommended

(1) that drastic improvements should be made immediately for conveying the life-saving apparatus in the case of ships in distress ;

(2) that the Lighthouse Commissioners take into consideration the question of putting up a light on the Holm side of the harbour; and

(3) that the Government will in future provide adequate and safe travelling facilities for naval ratings and soldiers. The jury desired to add that they were satisfied no one on board was under the influence of intoxicating liquor, and also that there was no panic on board after the vessel struck.

As a rider to their verdict they recommended to the Carnegie Trust and the Royal Humane Society, Seaman J. F. Macleod for some token of appreciation of his conduct in swimming ashore with a line, by means of which the hawser was brought ashore and many lives were saved.

The Jury also extended their sincerest sympathy to those who had lost relatives in this regrettable disaster, and also expressed their appreciation of the hospitality shown to the survivors by Mr and Mrs Anderson Young, Stoneyfield Farm.

Iolaire Disaster

THE "IOLAIRE" DISASTER.
(1st JANUARY, 1919,)
CROWNING SORROW OF THE WAR.

"Toll for the Brave—
The Brave ! that are no more :
All Sunk beneath the Wave,
Fast by their native Shore."

THE overwhelming catastrophe of 1st January, 1919, which plunged Lewis into bitterest sorrow, sent a thrill of horror and a wave of sympathy throughout the English-speaking world. Apart from the great loss of life, the whole surrounding circumstances —the place, the time, the season, the mystery as to the cause of the disaster—were calculated to touch a responsive chord in every feeling heart, as was shown by the generous contributions which poured into the Relief Fund from all parts of the home country and from the most distant colonies and dependency of the Empire. Among the first messages of sympathy received were those from their Majesties the King and Queen, and Queen Alexandra.

As the foregoing pages of this memorial volume amply testify, the Island of Lewis had a record for war service excelled by no part of the King's Dominions, and—in proportion to population—equalled by few. For the four and a half years of war, Death's messenger had been no stranger in the homes of Lewis, for hundreds of our gallant Islesmen had fallen on battlefields m foreign lands or found their last resting place in the silent depths of war-swept seas. But the Armistice was signed and the perils of war were past when the crowning sorrow fell on Lewis. It was New Year's Eve, too, and the whole ship's company, in festive mood, were homeward bound for the glad re-union so long and so lovingly anticipated, and well they knew how eagerly their homecoming was awaited and what preparations were even then being made to welcome them. All this, only to be shipwrecked at the very entrance to Stornoway Harbour with appalling loss of life. What a tragedy!

The following account of the great disaster is taken from the columns of the Stornoway Gazette: —
No one now alive in Lewis can ever forget the 1st of January, 1919, and future generations will speak of it as the blackest day in the history of the island, for on it 200 of our bravest and best perished on the very threshold of their homes under the most tragic circumstances.

The terrible disaster at Holm on New Year's morning has plunged every home and every heart in Lewis into grief unutterable. Language cannot express the anguish, the desolation, the despair which this awful catastrophe has inflicted. One thinks of the wide circle of blood relations affected by the loss of even one of the gallant lads, and imagination sees these circles multiplied by the number of the dead, overlapping and overlapping each other till the whole island—every hearth and home in it—is shrouded in deepest gloom.

All the island's war losses of the past four cruel years—although these number fully four times the death roll of New Year's Day morning —are not comparable to this unspeakable calamity.

The black tragedy has not a redeeming feature. The surrounding circumstances but add to the horror of it. Some of these circumstances will form the subject of the searching and impartial inquiry which is being called for, and give Lewis back her dead.

Other circumstances having no relation to the cause of the disaster add poignancy to it. For over four years, on all the seven seas, many of the men so suddenly hurled to their doom had braved the elements in defence of Liberty and Right. And not only the old perils of the deep, but all the new infernal inventions of man for the destruction of human life — the floating mine, the cowardly submarine, the deadly torpedo.

Not a few of them had suffered shipwreck time and again during the war, but always they escaped. And now with all these perils past, and the peace and comfort and liberty so well earned in prospect, they come home only to be cruelly done to death within twenty yards of shore and at the very entrance to Stornoway harbour!

Lewis, God knows, had already had more than her fair share of the losses of the war, but hard as these were to bear, there was alleviation for the heart pain in the thought that the men died fighting in a just and glorious cause, and that they lost their lives consciously facing death. Our boys had fought on every battle front, as well as on their natural element, the sea. Eight hundred of them, it is estimated, made the supreme sacrifice. To this huge toll New Year's morning at one fell stroke added 200 more—two hundred men hurled into eternity through no fault of their own and with scarce a chance to save themselves.

And what is the story ? Briefly, it is this : —
Hundreds of our boys were getting home on New Year leave, and they were being rushed down to Kyle of Lochalsh where no adequate provision was made for their conveyance across the Minch by the Admiralty or the War Office, whom they had served so well. Between forty or fifty of those who reached Kyle on the Monday failed to get a passage to Stornoway and were stranded overnight at Kvle. Some 500 came on by train on Tuesday, so that altogether over 500 persons—soldiers, sailors, and civilians—en route for Stornoway were at Kyle on the last day of the year. This was beyond the capacity of the mail steamer Sheila, and H.M. Yacht Iolaire—parent ship of the Stornoway base—was sent to Kyle to assist. The soldiers and civilians and a few of the sailors were put on board the Sheila, and some 260 (all naval ratings) were assigned to the Iolaire, which in addition carried a crew of 23. The company included many boys in their 'teens coming home on their first leave since enlistment. There were also there many veterans who had been mobilised in August, 1914, and were coming home from the ends of the earth on their first leave since the outbreak of hostilities. On the deck of the Iolaire men met with schoolmates whom they had not seen since together they rushed to the Colours four and a-half years ago. The older men were glad to meet with relatives whom they had left behind as pupils in the village school, now striplings in naval uniform. Two hours' steaming from Stornoway the New Year was welcomed in in timehonoured fashion. All were in high spirits. Gaelic song and sentiment called up to the mind visions of the warm welcome that awaited them round the blazing peat fires. Nothing was further from their thoughts than death, and as the light on Arnish point, which marks the entrance to Stornoway harbour, drew near, many began getting their kit together, expecting in a very short time to be safely moored at the well-known wharf.

Suddenly there was a crash, and the ship heeled over to starboard. When she listed huge waves came breaking over her and 50 or 60 men jumped into the sea. All of them perished. Survivors state that they heard no orders given from the bridge, and the greatest confusion prevailed. It is also stated that the rockets to summon assistance were fired by one of the passengers—Alexander Maciver, Shader, Point, who himself perished in the wreck.

It was impossible in the pitch blackness to see the land, which, as it transpired,was less than 20 yards distant. When rocket lights were fired the landscape was lit up, and it was found that the stern of the vessel was only half a dozen yards from a ledge of rocks connecting with the shore. There was a tremendous rush of water between the stern and the rocks, but many men were tempted to try to reach the shore there, and scores of them were drowned or killed by being dashed on the rocks. As the ship settled down she turned broadside on to the shore, thus breaking the force of the seas amidships, and it was at this point all who were saved got off. Several swam ashore, and one man, John F. Macleod, Port cf Ness, took with him a life-line by means of which a hawser was pulled ashore and made fast between the beach and the ship.

About 30 or 40 men got ashore by hanging on to the rope, and altogether 75 men were saved from the wreck. The loss of life is therefore over 200, but the exact figures are not yet known, as, of course, there was no list of the passengers taken at Kyle. In many cases the relatives were not advised by the men to expect them, and there are instances where people who had gone to express sympathy with neighbours afterwards learning that their own sons or brothers were on board and had perished in the great catastrophe.

About 3 o'clock in the morning one of the survivors, in a dazed condition, made his way, he cannot tell how, to Stoneyfield farmhouse, where after rousing the inmates, he was hospitably received by Mr and Mrs Anderson Young. Mrs Young and her maids worked eagerly to prepare comforts for the shipwrecked men, who commenced to arrive in little groups, attracted by the lights now showing from the farmhouse windows. Everything possible was done for them, and the worst cases were put to bed, and were afterwards conveyed to the Sick Bay at the Battery. Those able to walk set out on foot for Stornoway, between two and three miles distant, where they roused relatives and obtained a change of clothes. Soon the town was ringing with news of the frightful disaster, and many made their way to the scene. Taking the shorter way by the Sandwick Beach, evidence of the terrible happening was soon found, for along the shore portions of the wreckage were strewn, and here and there the body of a drowned man which had been cast up on the tide was found and carried beyond the reach of the sea.

It was still dark when the first of the townsfolk reached Holm, and there was a high sea running. The wreck was found lying between the Beasts of Holm and the shore. She had disappeared all but her masts, one of which was broken. Perched on the top of the remaining mast was one of the survivors, clinging in a most precarious position. Other two men had been on the mast with him, but they had become numb, fell off, and were drowned. Help for the plucky lad was impossible from the sea owing to the storm and the position of the wreck. From the land, help, too, was impracticable. Onlookers suffered intensely at their own helplessness to rescue the man, who was within speaking distance and threatened momentarily with death. As daylight came the storm abated and the sea grew calmer. Between 9 and 10 o'clock one of the patrol boats, by pouring oil on the sea, was able to get a small boat to the rescue, and the brave boy was taken off to the great relief of the crowds that watched his sufferings and admired his endurance. He was found to be Donald Morrison, 7 Knockard. He was, as can well be imagined, completely exhausted, but taken to the Lewis Hospital , he made a quick recovery.

A visit to the scene of the disaster on Thursday revealed a heartrending sight. After leaving the road as it turns into Holm Farm a walk of a few hundred yards brought one to the green sward overlooking the wreck. Here were gathered no idle sightseers, for all had come in quest of the remains of near relatives. On the grass were laid out the bodies that had been recovered from the sea, and below the crews of eight row-boats proceeded in silence with their work of dragging round the wreck. At very short intervals the grappling irons brought another and another of the bodies to the surface, and the crews proceeded with them to the ledge where they were being landed. Here they were placed on stretchers and slowly and laboriously the bearers clambered up with them to be laid out reverently on the grass lands above. Scarce a word was spoken, and the eyes of strong men filled with tears as the wan faces were scrutinised with mingled hope and fear of identification.

The remains as they were recovered were brought to a temporary mortuary at the Naval Barracks, where relatives of the missing men from all parts of the island gathered. As the bodies were identified they wore handed over to the friends, and the little processions of carts in groups of two and three, each with its coffin, passed through the Barrack gates on their way to some mourning village for interment.

Each day this week several unidentified bodies were buried at Sandwick Cemetery—on Tuesday there were seven of these. The exact number of men on board was 284, of whom 79 survived, leaving 205 men missing. Of these 138 bodies have been recovered, 8 of whom have not been identified. All the officers of ths ship were lost. From the mournful lists given elsewhere in these columns it will be seen that the ascertained Lewis loss is 174, of which Stornoway Parish lost 66, Barvas Parish 51, Uig Parish 24, and Lochs Parish 33. The remainder of the unfortunate victims were natives of Harris or members of the crew.

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.

Glasgow Lewismen in the Great War

Neil M Macleod

THE request which the publisher of "Loyal Lewis" has done the writer the honour to make, to contribute the following Chapter to this interesting volume, is one that he feels constrained to comply with so far as that lies in his power—not, however, without considerable diffidence and a profound consciousness of inability to discharge the task with that exhaustive completeness which a subject of so great importance admittedly demands. But there are many influences which prompt him to undertake a duty of this nature, and it may not be amiss, at the outset, to mention a few of the more immediate reasons which (despite difficulties) render the task a not uncongenial one.

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.

The Hero of Buzancy

MAJOR ANGUS MACMILLAN, D.S.O., M.C., son of the late Mr Kenneth Macmillan, Lemreway, enlisted as a private in the 2nd Batt. Seaforth Highlanders on 5th November, 1904. In August, 1911, when he held the rank of Sergeant, he purchased his discharge to the Army Reserve. On mobilisation in 1914, he immediately rejoined, and was posted to the 7th Battalion of the Seaforths as Company Quartermaster Sergeant. With that unit he went to France in May, 1915. As Company Sergeant-Major he took part in the battle of Loos, after the first attack on the 25th September, 1915. On 12th March, 1916, he was commissioned on the field, and two months later was appointed Acting Captain. After the battle of the Somme on 12th October, 1916, he was appointed Temporary Captain and awarded the Military Cross "for conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his Company in the attack with great courage and determination, himself returning to Battalion Headquarters under very heavy fire to report the situation. Later he established a good trench in a forward position." In April, 1917, he was mentioned in despatches for services at the Battle of Arras. In the summer of 1918, in the fighting south of Soissons, where a Scottish Division formed part of General Mangin's 10th French Army, Captain Macmillan so distinguished himself that on 28th July at Buzancy he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, the Legion of Honour and the Croix de Guerre (with palm). By the French he was acclaimed "the hero of Buzancy."

On a subsequent occasion he was again mentioned in despatches, and on 12th November, 1918, he was appointed Temporary Major, which rank he held till August, 1919, when, on the Service Battalions being disbanded, he reverted to his substantive rank of Lieutenant and rejoined his depot at Fort George.

A Soldier Family

(Left).—Capta'.n K. K. Macleod, .Seaforths,
awarded M.C. (severely wounded).
(Standing) —Major Norman G. M. Macleod, 90th Winnipeg
Rifles, awarded Military Cross ; killed
between 24th and 27th .Sept., 1916
(Right)—Major Donald Macleod.

MAJOR DONALD MACLEOD, elder son of the late Mr Norman Macleod, Kerskader, enlisted in the Army Service Corps on 21st March, 1885. He was promoted Warrant Officer in 1899, and to commissioned rank in 1909, and to the rank of Major in 1918. Major Macleod was on active service in South Africa during the Boer War, and subsequently served eighteen months there on foreign service.

Captain Kenneth Kennedy Macleod, M.C.. half brother of Major Macleod, above, was born in 1873. He joined the 1st Seaforth Highlanders on 6th April, 1892, and was promoted Lance-Corporal before the end of the same year. He was promoted Corporal in 1894; Sergt., 1897 ; Colour-Sergeant, 1901 ; Warrant Officer, 1911 ; Lieutenant and Quartermaster on 24th August, 1914 ; and Captain (commanding a Company) on 10th October, 1914. Captain Macleod served in Crete during the disturbance of 1897-1898, and afterwards was five years in Egypt. He was through the Sudan Campaign of 1898, and took part in the storming of the Zareba on the Atbara, After a year's service in India he returned home in 1904 and joined the Permanent Staff of the 3rd Seaforth Highlanders, on which he served till the outbreak of war in August, 1914, when he was promoted Lieutenant and Quartermaster to the 7th Seaforths. He commanded B Company of the 7th Seaforths in the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt on 25th September, 1915, leading his men with conspicuous gallantry. Wounded above the left elbow by a bullet which passed through the arm and entered above the left hip (where it is still lodged), he continued to lead his men until struck down by a rifle bullet which passed through his head, entering an inch behind the right eye, and coming out a little lower on the left side. He lay out in the rain for twelve hours before he was accidentally found by two Camerons, who carried him to the dressing station. For his gallantry and devotion to duty on this occasion he was awarded the Military Cross. Very early in his military career he proved himself a master marksman, putting up the highest score on record in his recruit's course. He held the Championship of Egypt and the Mediterranean in 1901, and afterwards won many important competitions in India and at home. He held the Scottish Army Championship in 1912, and was the best shot in the 7th Seaforths at Borden in 1915. He acted as a sniper in France, using the telescopic-sighted rifle with great effect, to the annoyance of the Bosches. His shooting trophies comprise six gold and two silver medals, besides spoons and cups. He was not only considered one of the best shots, but also one of the best instructors in the British Army, although not a great believer in the "pace stick." His decorations are—the British Sudan Medal, with clasp ; the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, the King George Coronation Medal, and the Military Cross.

Major Norman George Morrison Macleod, son of Major Donald Macleod, above, was born at Stornoway in July, 1891. After a few years in the Education Department of the Civil Service he joined the 1st Gordon Highlanders as a private on 9th September, 1909. On the 9th December, 1912, he was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant to the 2nd South Lancashire Regiment, but resigned his commission on 9th July, 1913, to enter on a commercial career in Canada. On the outbreak of war in August, 1914, he mobilised as Lieutenant with the 90th Winnipeg Rifles, with whom he proceeded to France in February, 1915, and was promoted Captain on 24th April. For his conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the fighting of 24th April, 1915, and for carrying important messages out of the trenches in daylight, Lieut. Macleod was awarded the Military Cross and appointed Captain. On the 24th April, when the Germans, under a cloud of poisonous gases, attacked and broke the Allied lines, Captain Macleod with his platoon seized and occupied a piece of trench from which the battalion on their left had been driven. This trench was of the utmost importance, being on the extreme left of the unbroken portion of the British line. As soon as Captain Macleod's platoon had fought their way sufficiently far down the trench to adequately protect the battalion's flank, they erected a barricade between themselves and the Germans, who still occupied a portion of the trench. They held the position tenaciously for eleven hours till definitely ordered to retire. This gallant soldier, who later was appointed Major, was killed in the fighting between 24th and 27th September, 1916, aged 25 years.

Lewis Students' Group of Gordons

Standing (left to right)—Pte. Mal. Macleod, Kershader (wounded and taken prisoner); Pte. John Maciver, Coll; Corpl. Murdo Maciver,
Coll (killed 16th June, 1915); Lieut. Murdo Murray, Back (wounded).

Sitting (left to right)—Lieut. Alex. Macaulay, M.C., Breasclet (wounded); Pte. John Smith, Tong ; Pte. George Macsween. Garrabost
(killed 15th June, 1915), Lieut. Isaac Maciver, Shawbost (wounded) ; pte. John Angus Macleod. Shawbost (wounded).

Gallant and Daring Valtos Soldier.

CAPT. ALEXANDER MACLENNAN,
of the 16th Batt. Canadians, son of Mr Donald Maclennan, 24 Valtos, and a former pupil of the Nicolson Institute, enlisted at the outbreak of war and went to France, where he was wounded.

In April, 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross. The official memorandum of the award is as follows : —
"During a raid he made repeated reconnaissances of the most daring and thorough nature on the previous nights. He made a careful preparation for the raid and took part in the attack, collecting maps and papers that contained valuable information. His courage, coolness, and perseverance were a fine example to all."

A Bar was added to his M.C. in August of the same year, when—
"He played an important part in keeping the Battalion in proper direction through the dense mist of smoke. At one point a portion of the Battalion being held up by a determined machine gun, he crawled round through a sunken road alone and came on the machine gun crew of five from a flank, shooting them all with his own hand. In the last stages of the advance he took forward a party and captured a regimental headquarters with the regimental commander and his entire staff. He showed the greatest courage, determination and skill throughout."

Lieutenant Colonel David Macleod, 12 Arnol

"PHARAOH AND THE SERGEANT."

LIEUT.-COLONEL DAVID MACLEOD, D.S.O., was a son of the late Mr William Macleod, Arnol, Barvas.

He enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders before he was quite sixteen years of age. In 1895, volunteering for special service in connection with the organisation of the new Egyptian Army, he went out as one of the small band of Sergeant. -Instructors (of whom Lewis provided two), immortalised by Kipling in "Pharaoh and the Sergeant". The task of turning the spiritless Fellaheen into fighting soldiers was at the time deemed hopeless by many, but the British instructors proved themselves "a charm for making riflemen from mud."

With the young army thus created Lieut. -Col. Macleod served throughout Lord Kitchener's re-conquest of the Sudan. He was present at the Battle of Fisket (June, 1896), and served in the Nile Expeditions of 1897 and 1898. He fought in Sir Hector Macdonald's famous Brigade at the Battles of the Atbara and Omdurman. In admiration of the perfect steadiness and gallant conduct of the 2nd Egyptians (trained by Lt.- Colonel Macleod) at Omdurman, Stevens, in "With Kitchener to  Khartoum," described them as "the best trained and disciplined battalion in the world."

During 1899 Lt.-Col. Macleod served on the White Nile and in Khordofan with the forces pursuing the Khalifa. For his services he was mentioned in Lord Kitchener's despatches, received the Khedive's Medal with 6 clasps, the Queen's Sudan Medal, medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field, and, as a further reward, a commission in the Cameron Highlanders.

In the South African War he served continuously for over two years, seeing service in Cape Colony, the Free State, and the Transvaal, where he was wounded and again mentioned in Lord Kitchener's despatches for Distinguished Conduct in the Field, at the same time receiving the Queen's Medal with three clasps and the King's Medal with two clasps. Towards the end of the war he joined the South African Constabulary, popularly known as Baden Powell's Police. When peace was declared he was made a District Commandant and a Justice of the Peace.

After two years with the South African Constabulary he volunteered for active service in Somaliland, and served four years with the King's African Rifles in Central Africa, British East Africa, and Uganda. During that period he took part in the Sotik Punitive Expedition, and served with the Nandi Field Force. He received the African General Service Medal with two clasps, and five years after receiving his commission was specially promoted to the rank of Captain in the Gordon Highlanders in recognition of his varied services in the field.

In 1907 he again accepted service in the Sudan, to organise and command the Camel Corps Training School at Khartoum ; and he saw service with the Camel Corps on the Blue Nile in 1908. After being stationed with his Battalion (2nd Gordons) for two years in India, he was appointed to the Depot in Aberdeen, and retired early in 1914, after twenty-seven years' service.

Later in the year, on war being "declared, he volunteered his services, and was appointed to the 8th Gordon Highlanders, with the rank of Major. He served in the field in France from the beginning of May until 25th September, 1915, when he was seriously wounded at the storming of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. For his "conspicuous gallantry and devotion" in this engagement he was given the Distinguished Service Order. "In the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt," the official record states, "although wounded three times, he continued to lead his Company forward till he fell from exhaustion." After recovering, he was given a staff appointment in France, but he applied again for service in the firing line.

On 19th December, 1917, he died in hospital in France of pneumonia, brought on by shell gas. Lieut. -Col. Macleod owed his success to none of the accidents or advantages of birth or position, but to his sterling qualities of character and high ideals of work and duty and to his passionate love of his profession. He was a fine soldier, and a born leader of men, and though a stern disciplinarian, he was beloved by those serving under him, every man of whom would have followed him anywhere. He set a fine example of what he conceived to be his duty, and his high courage and earnestness of purpose—the outcome of his simple faith—gave him great influence over those with whom he lived and worked. He was singlarly modest and retiring, but to those to whom he gave his friendship he represented a high standard of life and service. The following official intimation of his death was issued on the field : —

Special Notice to Service Battalion the Gordon Highlanders.
"The Commanding Officer regrets to intimate the death on the 19th inst. of Lt.-Col. D. Macleod, D.S.O. —one of the finest officers in the Army—who for seventeen months has been in command of the Battalion. He desires to place on record his long and faithful services to his King and Country. Colonel Macleod joined the Army over 30 years ago, and during that time has served with distinction in many lands. His example in joining up again on the outbreak of war, immediately after a very severe illness, was typical of his patriotism and devotion to his life's calling. He was dangerously wounded at Loos, and rejoined the 8th Battalion in the spring of 1916 as Second-in-Command, and assumed Command of the in July of that year. His long service in tropical countries made service in the severe winters of this country very hard on him, but his indomitable spirit surmounted these hard tests, and now he has passed away at his post, like the true soldier he was. His high sense of duty ; his conception of the soldier's calling, will be an example to all and something to emulate. Always mindful of his men, his memory will be cherished by all who had the good fortune to serve under him."

After the Armistice

Standing: Sergt. F. Hawley, Sergt. N. Macpherson, Sergt. Murchison, Sergt. A. Macmillan, Sergt. F. Macrae.

Sitting: Staff-Sergt, Saddler H. Masters, Sergt.-Major A. J. H. Sturgeon, Major R. W. Greenless, B.Q.M.S. W. J. Campbell, Staff-Sergt. Farrier James Macfarquhar

A group of 1st Seaforths

Standing (left to right)—

Pte. George Macleod, Coll 'injured in France and discharged) ;

L/Sergt. William Macneil, D.C.M., Carishader (killed 9th May, 1915) ;

Pte. Murdo Morrison, Borve (died in India) ;

Pte. Donald Maclean, Holm.

Sitting (left to right)—

Pte. Donald Graham, Coll (killed 16th Feb., 1915);

Corpl. Angus Macleod, Raerinish (killed 25th April, 1915) ;

Sergt. John Smith, Shader, Barvas (severely gas poisoned).

A group of 3rd Seaforths

Back Row (from left to right)—
Corpl. M. Murray, 2 North Tolsta (wounded and gas poisoned) ;

Pte. Alex. Campbell, 2 North Tolsta (killed 9th May, 1915);

Pte. J. Macrae, 25 Coll (wounded);

Pte. N. J. Stewart, Coll (wounded) ;

Pte. D. Murray, 22 North Tolsta (died of wounds 11th October, 1915)

Pte. J. Macleod, 20 North Tolsta (twice wounded) ;

Pte. M. Macdonald, 9 North Tolsta.

Middle Row (from left to right)—
Pte. A. Macdonald, Swanibost (wounded) ;

Pte. H. Mackay, 42 North Tolsta (afterwards R.N.R.) ;

Pte. Alex. Macleod, South Dell (wounded).

Bottom Row (from left to right)—
Pte. J. Maciver, 11 North Tolsta (now R.N.R.) ;

Lce.-Cpl. J. Maciver, 26 North Tolsta (wounded and gas poisoned) ;

Pte. D. Murray, 37 North Tolsta (afterwards R.N.R.; escaped after Antwerp fell, and subsequently was rescued from a sinking mine sweeper)

Lewis Boys in Holland

Interned in Holland
since the fall of Antwerp

THE heavy bags of mails that constantly pass into Germany via Holland testify how deep is our sympathy for the unfortunates who are imprisoned in an enemy's country—and they cannot have too much of our sympathy.

But let us not forget our boys who are prisoners in Holland —prisoners in a very real and pitiable sense. Do not exaggerate the effects of neutrality in their case. There are regrettable factors in their imprisonment which no neutrality, however benevolent, can relieve.

They are all young men — game cocks — who meant to fight for their country as heroically as did their brothers of the "Carmania" and the "Orama."

He is a superficial enquirer who only asks, "Have they got enough to eat ?" No doubt food is a first requisite, and in their case the food is coarse in quality ; and the scarcity would be serious if the food were more appetising. But the most trying element in their condition is the feeling that one is a prisoner. This feeling is impressed on one's spirit in so many different ways—the click of the lock behind one when one enters —the sense that one is watched, and watched, too, under the muzzle of loaded rifles —the high walls around one of wire barbed and knotted — get on one's nerves. Between us and the main road stands the Groningen State prison, with broad shoulders, with small eyes and high cheek bones, frowning down upon our grounds, and reminding any boy that might be naughty that there are darker cells within.

No doubt their confinement is less stringent now than at Interned in Holland from Fall of Antwerp the beginning. For now an agreement has been entered into with the Dutch Government, which has rendered needless all attempts to escape. At the beginning such attempts were determined and often amusing. One or two examples will suffice for illustration.

One day there was a great roll of matting to be carried out to the town. It was carried out on a pole between two sailors. The watch readily opened the gate. The two men, smoking their cigarettes,
managed to swing through without betraying the unusual weight of the matting. No sooner were they
at a safe distance than they dropped the roll, when a third sailor crept out and got safely away to Flushing, and thence to England.
On another occasion two men, having by some adventure escaped from the camp, found that the railway stations were by this time so well guarded that it was hopeiess for an English tongue to attempt getting through to the train. The trick they fell upon raised many a laugh even among the Dutch who were the victims. The two men crossed the country eastward for about twenty miles, and entered a small town on the German frontier Here they called upon the "Burgomaster" in a state of great excitement and perspiration, and told him they had just escaped from Germany, and would he be good enough to give them a pass to travel by train to Flushing ? This the good man readily gave them, and they travelled in great glee safe to the homeland ! But this is all by the way, to show the eagerness of young men to escape into the free and exciting life of our tumultuous world.

Can our Lewis reader imagine any other set of juveniles on earth more unfitted for a life of confinement than Highlanders—boys from the mountains and the sea, young fellows brought up among sea-birds under the Atlantic breakers ? Holland is so true to the origin of its name—"hollow -land" —and a Highlander is always looking for some hill to climb above the level of stagnant canals. Did I not see the far-off looks and the shadow of far-off crags in the blue of their thoughtful eyes !

I think there is nothing that brings out the basic factors of the individual human character as does a long period of imprisonment. And to be brief, I think I have some right, as a chaplain who has worked among our Lewis boys for about seven months, to testify something of their character under those testing and sifting trials. I do not care if this were read to the fourteen hundred Englishmen in our camp. I must record the fact that the Lewismen, with perhaps rare exceptions, were an example to all in showing forth in their daily conduct—and in particular on the Lord's Day—the fear and recognition of God- I had fellow-helpers—very dear and sincere and zealous witnesses for Christ—among the English, whom I shall ever remember. But the main support of religion- at least in the outward tokens of God's claims upon man's obedience—was found among those Islanders. For example, the Sabbath Day was observed, not in any Pharasaic punctiliousness, but as in a very real sense a Day of God.

Our interned Islanders in Holland are neither sanctimonious saints nor male angels. They have their fun, their jokes, their pipe music. But let me say very emphatically that in morality, and as worshippers of the true God, and in all-round manliness, we may proudly compare them with any section of the British Navy. Commodore Henderson has had occasion repeatedly to congratulate Lewismen en distinctions won at examinations, and I wish some students of our Universities could have a peep at them poring over their books surrounded by shouts and laughter and songs, the wrestling and thumping that goes on continually in those huts.

I have not made this more painful reading by dwelling too much on the miserable monotony and deprivations in their life. Let readers who are possessed with imagination do what they can to alleviate the tedium of the time of their imprisonment by such tangible tokens of their sympathy as they have already more than once received from Lewis. Death has alas ! visited us here more than once ; and the death-beds of John Smith and John Macleay will always be a sacred memory with those who have witnessed them.

If I were allowed to coin a word to characterise the general disease in our interned life in Holland, that word would be—monotonitis !

Rev. D. M Lamont in "Stornoway Gazette," 25th January, 1918.

Lewis Canadians

Returning to Canada after doing their Bit.

Top row: J. Nicholson, Lemreway; Corpl. Donald Macdonald, Lower Sandwick;

Middle row: J. Campbell, Marvig; Sergt. A. Mackinnon, MM, Aird; M. A. Macleod, Garyvard.

Bottom row: James Macleod, Stornoway and Murdo Macleod, Gravir

The Highland Brigade at Buzancy

The Highland Brigade at Buzancy.

THE following graphic description of the taking of Buzancy by the Highland Brigade, from the pen of Lieut. Alex. Thomson, M.A., D.C.M., M.C. appeared in the "Stornoway Gazette" of 6th September, 1918:—
We had been moved by slow stages from the flat, uninteresting plains of Flanders, where the Scarpe flowed on in its placid way along smooth grassy banks ; through the smiling, fertile lands of the Southern Somme ; past the wooded hilltops of Compeign, to where the Marne and the Oise flowed into smiling valleys and among fertile cornfields. The morning of July 28th found us holding a front position in one of the thick woods which overlooked Buzancy—thick, treacherous woods, where
we knew the stealthy enemy machine gunners lay and watched. Aeroplanes circled overhead, puffs of white smoke around them where the enemy's "archies" burst- artillery well hidden among the
trees occasionally boomed—all was quiet and peaceful.

At 12 noon we crept stealthily and silently forward to our assembly positions, and waited grimly for the end of the period that was to elapse before the artillery and machine guns dropped their curtain fire and enabled us to go forward to the assault. It seemed an eternity as I stood with watch in hand beside Captain Macmillan, who commanded the company I was with. I was glad I was with him, for I have no doubt he is one of our coming Lewis heroes —he follows the lead so nobly set him by David Macleod and John N. Macrae, and if his military career lasts much longer Lewis will be proud of yet another Seaforth officer.

With ten minutes to go we were both silent—our minds were far away with our loved ones among our Highland hills; home scenes passed in a panoramic flash before us, and from the bottom of our
hearts we prayed that all would be well. He had just given the order to his men to get ready, and with the words "God speed you" the barrage fell. It seemed as if the heavens had opened to a rolling thunder all along the line. Shells burst in their hundreds of thousands on the village and chateau grounds. Machine guns rattled like the veriest hailstorm, and the attack was launched. The boys
advanced as if they were on the parade ground at Cromarty, the enemy machine guns took their toll of the Seaforths as they advanced through a field of standing corn, but never a waver—the broken gaps
were quickly filled, the line went forward to the chateau walls and entered the Unknown, behind which lurked—who could tell ?

I never saw anything like the advance of the Seaforths that day. Through the thick woods surrounding the chateau they advanced, and nothing could stop them. On, on, ever forward they went every minute the ranks getting thinner as the Germans got our range, but the boys never faltered until they had carried the village and consolidated on a ridge beyond it. The Germans could not stand the dash of our men, nor the intensity of our artillery barrage—they huddled in cellars or whatever shelter they could get. In one case a small party of our men captured 100 prisoners, including two officers. The enemy machine gunners were, however, very brave, and stuck to their guns to the very last? even after the situation for them was perfectly hopeless.

The Gordons on our left and the Black Watch on our right had. if anything, a more difficult job to do, for they had to advance through standing corn which gave no cover, but these gallant fellows went forward dauntlessly, suffering a murderous fire but never flinching until they conformed to us and we held an unbroken front to the enemy. Buzancy, the key to the whole situation, was ours; the Highland Brigade had enhanced the reputation it won under Hector Macdonald on the veldts of Africa, the kilts fluttered in the breeze beyond the small French village we had stormed and won, and another glorious page was added to the history of the brave Highlanders.

Our General told us it was an attack which in the earlier days of the war would have become historic, but now would just mean one part of the stupendous counter-stroke on the Marne. Two days later the enemy were in full retreat, but we were too tired to chase him further than nine kilometres, and we were relieved.

This village is miles away from the whirlpool of war. The old peasants come ambling home from their field, the cows walk lazily from pasture, and the peasant girls go peacefully to the milking. The sun is setting and I sit and smoke on the garden seat in the shade. Home seems very, very near— I
can almost fancy I hear the waves thundering against the rocks. And—who knows ? Perhaps nearer than we expect the dove of peace is on the wing, the laurel wreath of victory is coming to us and to our brave Allies- Who knows ? Who knows ?