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A new site is currently being compiled on the Fallen from World War I and World War II from the islands of Berneray, Boreray, North Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra and Vatersay. All information welcome.

Hector Bruce was head master of Cromore School in the Pairc area of Lewis from 1902 until 1918. He had seven children with his wife Margaret (nee Anderson), whom he had married at Golspie on 12 October 1888. One of their sons, William, was born at Dalarossie Schoolhouse, near Inverness, on 14 June 1888. After growing up, William emigrated to Canada and worked as a banker at the Head Office of the Union Bank of Canada in Winnipeg from 1908 until 1915. His military service record quotes his Canadian address as Plenty, Saskatchewan; which is nearly 600 miles west of Winnipeg. William had enrolled in the Saskatchewan Regimental Depot, but was seconded to the Royal Air Force on 12 October 1917, and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 17 February 1918. On 19 May of the same year, he left the aerodrome at Andover, England, for France. After proceeding for 50 miles, he was forced to land due to engine problems. When it had been repaired, he again started off on 25 May, and since then no furt...

Seaman DONALD (jnr) FINLAYSON, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 11 Brue, died today in 1915 Seaman ALEX MACIVER, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 26 Leurbost, died today in 1915 at the age of 24 Seaman DUNCAN MACKINNON, Royal Naval Reserve, late of 18 Brue, died today in 1915 at the age of 40 Private KENNETH MACINNES, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 3 Coulregrein, died today in 1916 Private JOHN MACLEOD, Seaforth Highlanders, late of 14 Ranish, died today in 1916 at the age of 20 Seaman JOHN STEWART, Royal Navy, late of 50 Vatisker, died today in 1917 at the age of 27

Private NORMAN MORRISON Last address in Lewis: 10 South Dell Son of Murdo and Flora Morrison of 10 South Dell Service unit: 3rd Gordon Highlanders Service number: 3/5645 Discharged at Aberdeen on 29 May 1916 due to gunshot wounds and TB Date of death: 16 March 1917 at the age of 23 Died of wounds at home Interred: Old Ness Cemetery, Swainbost, lair 95 Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross I am pleased to announce that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has formally recognised Norman's status as War Dead from the Commonwealth, and a stone is to be (has been?) erected at the Swainbost Cemetery (referred to as Old Ness). It is a matter of pride for me personally that Norman's sacrifice is finally recognised and he will be remembered for perpetuity by CWGC, and in that old, windswept graveyard by the sea. I am equally grateful to the volunteers from the laudible In From the Cold Project for facilitating this process of recognition.

11 January 2005 is one of those days that everybody who was in the Outer Hebrides at the time will not forget. A deep Atlantic depression moved past our islands, bringing with it winds of force 12 on the Beaufort scale, with gusts in excess of 130 mph. At the time, I was staying in Kershader, 12 miles south of Stornoway as the crow flies - more like 22 miles by road. At 6.22pm, the power went off, not to go back on again for 48 hours. The wind was already howling around the building. Blue flashing lights penetrated the darkness from across Loch Erisort - police cars were stopping traffic on the Stornoway to Tarbert road after a lorry driver reported a sheep flying past his windscreen. The driver of the South Lochs bus that night was mightily relieved to make it home in one piece, he told me later. Trees were downed, roofs taken off, vehicles crushed under trees - and hundreds of them toppled in the Castle Grounds in Stornoway. High tides lapped at the doors of people on C...