Murdo Mackenzie, 21 Swordale

Seaman MURDO MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 21 Swordale
Son of Donald and Catherine Mackenzie, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Service: Royal Naval Reserve
Service number: LT/X8100C
Date of death: 3 November 1939 at the age of 28
Lost on active service at North Shields
Interred: Tynemouth (Preston) Cemetery, Sec. F. Uncons. grave 11835
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost


Stornoway Gazette, 10 November 1939
It is with regret we record the death of Murdo Mackenzie, son of Donald Mackenzie, 21 Swordale, who was drowned last week, while on active service. Beyond the intimation of his death, no information has yet been received. Murdo, who was about 29 years of age, had been a reservist for more than five years. He was called up at the outbreak of war, but was given an extension on medical grounds, and left home only about a month ago for his war station. He was one of the reservists, mobilised in the crisis of September 1938, and was on service then for a period of three weeks. In civil life, Murdo was a bus driver, being employed for the past two and a half years with Mr Maciver, Swordale, who found him a very efficient and reliable servant. He was extraordinarily popular with the travelling public, because of his great cheerfulness and willingness. He never refused to do a good turn for anyone who approached him. Apart from the pasengers using his bus, he was known by many of the shopkeepers in town with whom he did business on behalf of others, and all of them speak of him in the highest terms. He was a member of the Point Football Committee, and one of the enthusiasts who did much for the development of the game in rural Lewis. He frequently travelled with the Point eleven for their fixtures in other parts of the island, so that he had acquaintances in every district, who join with his more immediate friends in Swordale and his family in lamenting his early death. Much sympathy is felt for his father his sole surviving brother, his stepmother and stepsisters in their bereavement. An older brother, Donald, died in America just about two years ago, while his surviving brother is at present on service as a naval reservist.

Transcriber's note: Other tributes were published in subsequent editions of the Gazette, in memory of "Murd".