98 years ago today

98 years ago today saw the start of the Battle of the Somme, which was to last into the middle of November 1916. The death toll on both sides exceeded 1 million. Of those that died on the first day of the battle, 25 came from the island of Lewis, and this post remembers them.



Private Malcolm Campbell

Last address in Lewis: 26 Cross

Son of Donald and Catherine Campbell, of Cross

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/7308

Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 22

Interred: Serre Road Cemetery no 2, grave I. K. 6.

Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross



Private Kenneth Graham

Last address in Lewis: Aird Dell

Son of Catherine Graham, of Aird, South Dell

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/7457

Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 19

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C

Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross



Private Malcolm Gunn

Last address in Lewis: 15 Eorodale

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/7267

Killed in action on the Somme at the age of

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C

Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross



Lance-Corporal Donald Macarthur

Last address in Lewis: 29 Breasclete

Son of Malcolm and Mary Macarthur

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/7214

Died of wounds at the age of 19

Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, grave I. H. 28.

Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish



Private Allan Macdonald

Last address in Lewis: 18 Habost, Ness

Service unit: Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 7216

Killed in action at the Somme at the age of 19

Interred: Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, Sp Mem A. 8

Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross



Company Sergeant-Major Murdo Macgregor

Last address in Lewis: 12C Tolsta Chaolais

Son of Duncan Macgregor; husband of Marion Macgregor, of 255, Cumberland St., South Side, Glasgow.

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 9314

Killed in action on the Somme at Beaumont Hamel at the age of 30

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C

Local memorial: Tolsta Chaolais

Awarded Recommended for distinguished conduct in the Field, Oct., 1915

Went to France in August 1914, wounded in 1915



Private John Duncan Mackay

Last address in Lewis: 8 Kershader

Son of Duncan and Mary Mackay; family later moved to 3 Caverstay.

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: S/9777

Killed in action at the age of 19

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C

Local memorial: Park, Kershader; Nicolson Institute WW1, left panel

Was a junior student at the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway before joining up



Private William J Mackay

Last address in Lewis: 20 Adabrock

Son of Catherine MacKay

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/7382

Killed in action in France at the age of 19

Interred: Redan Ridge Cemetery no 1, Beaumont-Hamel, grave C.8

Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross



Private Evander Mackenzie

Last address in Lewis: 5 Upper Garrabost

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/7455

Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 19

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C

Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)



Private John Macrae Mackenzie

Last address in Lewis: 26 James Street, Stornoway

Son of Angus and Margaret Macrae MacKenzie

Service unit: 17th Highland Light Infantry, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Battallion

Service number: 15999

Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 25

Interred: Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuile, grave III. F. 9.

Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, middle panel



Private William Mackenzie

Last address in Lewis: 1A Mid Borve

Son of Kenneth and Ann MacKenzie

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/7371

Killed in action at the age of 19

Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, grave I. H. 27

Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve

Had previously been wounded



Private Alex Macleod

Last address in Lewis: 30 Lower Garrabost

Son of Angus and Margaret Macleod

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/6940

Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 23

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C

Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)



Lance-Corporal Angus Macleod

Aonghais MhicLeoid - Aonghas, Mac Thormoid Mhic Thormoid Mhoir

Last address in Lewis: 6 North Tolsta

Son of Norman and Christina MacLeod

Service unit: 2nd Gordon Highlanders

Service number: 3/6713

Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 24

Local memorial: North Tolsta

Mentioned on family gravestone in the cemetery at North Tolsta

Had been at the front since 1914.



Lance-Corporal John Macleod

Iain, Mac Aonghais Mhic Iain Saighdeir

Last address in Lewis: 20 North Tolsta

Son of Angus and Mary McLeod

Service unit: 2nd Gordon Highlanders

Service number: 3/5601

Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 22

Interred: Gordon Cemetery, Mametz, Sp. Mem. B. 53.

Mentioned on family gravestone in the cemetery at North Tolsta



Private John Macleod

Seoinaidh Dhanaidh - Iain, Mac Dhomhnaill Mhic Dhomhnaill Mhic Iain

Last address in Lewis: 1 Hill Street North Tolsta

Son of Donald Macleod

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/7478

Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 18

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C

Local memorial: North Tolsta



Sergeant John Macleod

Last address in Lewis: 24 Tolsta Chaolais

Brother of K. Macleod, Esq., M.A., Rector, of Fortrose Academy, H. G. P. School, Fortrose, Ross-shire.

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/8341

Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 24

Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, grave I. H. 30

Local memorial: Tolsta Chaolais



Private Murdo Macleod

Last address in Lewis: 65 Back

Son of Duncan and Annie McLeod

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/7191

Killed in action at the age of 21

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C

Local memorial: Back



Private Alex Morrison

Last address in Lewis: 14 Eorodale

Son of Kenneth and Catherine Morrison

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/7429

Killed in action on the Somme at the age of 20

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C

Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross



Private John Morrison

Last address in Lewis: 16 Skigersta

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 3/7358

Killed in action in France at the age of 18

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C

Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Mentioned on family gravestone in the cemetery at Habost (Ness)



Private Kenneth Smith

Last address in Lewis: 25 Leurbost

Service unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders

Service number: 9079

Killed in action on the Somme

Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C

Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost

Was wounded twice previously

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