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
Showing posts with label portraits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label portraits. Show all posts
Lewis Canadians
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
Sitting (left to right): M. Macmillan, Back; A. Thomson, Tong (DCM and MC); J. Macfarlane, Tong; M. Finlayson, Tong (died of wounds).
Some Knock soldiers
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
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.
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
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| (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
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).
Lieutenant Colonel David Macleod, 12 Arnol
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 : —
"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
Major Alfred L. Robertson
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| Major Alfred L Robertson |
A mighty hunter
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| Capt James Sutherland Nyassaland Field Force |
Captain Sutherland, who is a son of the late Mr James Sutherland, fishcurer, Lewis Street, Stornoway, is admittedly the world's mightiest elephant hunter. The thrilling tales he has to tell of his encounters with the mammoths of the African forest are related in his fascinating book, "Adventures of an Elephant Hunter" 'published in 1912).
At the time this book was written Mr Sutherland had killed 447 bull elephants (he takes no account of cows). When war broke out he was hunting in German East Africa, and the Huns tried to keep him prisoner, but he eluded them by making a detour of 500 miles, getting out of enemy territory through Portuguese East Africa, and on to Fort Johnston, in Nyasaland. He was engaged by the Governor of that colony as Intelligence Officer. In June, 1915, he was severely wounded— a German sniper getting him with an explosive bullet in the abdomen.
When the conquest of German East Africa was decided upon by the Government, he was made Chief Intelligence. Officer and Provost Marshall on the staff of Brigadier-General Northey, with the rank of Lieutenant. He was promoted Captain in 1916 and was mentioned several times in despatches for his services in the field.
A Lewisman's Service in London
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| Lieut. William A Martin |
For three years (1914-17) he was recruiting officer for his old regiment, and to him belongs the honour of raising the 2nd and 3rd Batts. of the London Scottish as well as the London Contingent sent to the Highland Brigade at Bedford.
Lieut. Martin came into prominence through a dispute with War Office officials over the raising of extra battalions for the Territorial Army, which ended in his complete vindication, the War Office being compelled to admit that he was in the right.
The affair had the publicity of a discussion in the House of Commons in April. 1917. In the course of the debate the Under Secretary for War (Mr Macpherson) paid a very high tribute to Lieut. Martin, who, he said, was "one of the best men the country had produced, and in his special capacity unequalled by any officer in the Army at home. He had excelled in organisation and did wonders in recruiting, and his retirement was a great loss to the Army."
To Lieutenant Martin's determination is very largely due the fact that the Territorial Battalions were sent to France many months before Kitchener's Army was moved. The Territorial 2nd Battalions and the drafts sent from them to the 1st Battalions were months ahead of the New Army in training and soldierly qualities.
But his war service did not confine itself to recruiting. He worked out a system of checking supplies, etc., which put his Battalion at the top of the list as far as Quartermaster's work was concerned. For efficiency and economy Lieutenant Martin's unit took first place in the London district, which itself was first among all the Home units. Excellent as was his Army work, however, it was second in importance to his task at the Ministry of Shipping, where during 1917-18 he was chief assistant to Sir Norman Leslie in organising and directing the convoy system.
Lieut Murdo Maciver, RN.
Lieut Maciver is a son of the late Mr Angus Maciver, 25 North Tolsta, Stornoway. He served for some time as a pupil-teacher in Tolsta Public School. In 1892, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the Royal Navy. Fourteen years ago, he was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer. In 1907 he was one of the four champion gunners of the Mediterranean Squadron. At the outbreak of war, he was second in command on Torpedo Boat no 115, and afterwards of a submarine.
Lieutenant A. B. Macrae, RNR, DSC with bar
George Thomson, 32 Tong
Son of Alexander Thomson, Free Church Elder, 32 Tong.
The following is the official memorandum of the award to him of the Military Cross:
"He was wounded early in the attack, but receiving first aid rejoined his platoon and re-organised it under heavy fire. He only withdrew on being wounded a second time."
(The latter wound was a serious bullet wound in the chest; the earlier wounds were in the head and arm).
Major Thomas Nicolson
Major Nicolson at outbreak of war was in command of the Stornoway Territorials (Left Section of Ross Mountain Battery). He proceeded on active service with them as Captain of the Battery, and was wounded at the Dardanelles, 29 June 1915. Later commanded 2nd Ross Battery. Promoted Major June 1917. Invalided out February 1919. Always a keen territorial, he had completed 25 years' service.
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