Assistant Steward JOHN ANGUS MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 3 Newlands, Shulishader
Son of Donald and Catherine Murray.
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 20 March 1941 at the age of 24
Lost on Clan Ogilvy, sunk north of Cape Verde Islands
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 30
Stornoway Gazette, 6 June 1941
It was with great regret many friends learned that John Angus Murray, 8
Newlands, Shader, Point, had made the supreme sacrifice. John Angus, who
was in the Merchant Service, was 24 years of age. He has been reported
lost at sea. A very popular young man, he played football both for the
Nicolson Institute and for Point XI. On completing his secondary course
at the Nicolson, he entered Glasgow University, where he took an Arts
degree.
Deep concern and anxiety was felt in Shader when it became known some
time ago, through the press, that the ship on which John Angus Murray [3
Newlands Shader, Point] was sailing had been sunk through enemy action.
As however no official intimation was received at the time, hope were
entertained that he might possibly be among the survivors, but these
hopes were shattered when his mother was later officially informed that
her son had been lost at sea. This news cast great glooom over the whole
community where John Angus was a much esteemed and popular youth. He
was a fine type of Lewis man, dignified in bearing, upright in character
and of strapping build, He was only 24. How little we thought when he
left us a year last autumn to complete his studies at Glasgow University
that he would never return. Anxious to do his bit for King and country,
he entered upon a course of training in a gunnery school last year, and
on the completion of his training joined this ill-fated ship as a
gunner. John Angus was a youth of exceptionall fine qualities which
endeared him to everyone in the community, old and young alike. His
pleasant smile, his ready with and quiet nature, will be missed by all. A
hard-working and diligent youth, he was always ready to help when help
was needed. He was a fine athlete and a brilliant footballer, and many
football fans throughout the island, particularly on the West Side, will
have recollections of John Angie Dollag's superb goal keeping for Point
in the good old days of peace. Indeed, it is difficult for us, who were
always in his company, to contemplate the loss of a powerful fellow
like him whose presence we always desired and looked for in our company.
However greatly we miss home, much more shall those who were near and
dear to him, who looked on him as the mainstay of the family and whose
welfare was always his first consideration. To his widowed mother and
sisters at home and away the profound sympathy of the entire community
is extended, in the irreparable loss of a dutiful son and brother whose
memory will always remain cherished in their hearts.
Stornoway Gazette, 11 July 1941
From a Lewisman on active service, this tribute to a popular Point lad who gave his life for freedom:
The whole of Point, and I believe most of Lewis Island, heard with great
regret of the loss of such a popular lad as John Angus Murray, 3
Newlands, Shader, Point. Great Sympathy was felt in the district for his
sorrowing mother and sisters. John Angie Dollag, as he was commonly
called, was a real son of Lewis, Despite the fact that he had taken up a
University career, he could not get rid of that yearning for the sea
and the pure, patriotic spirit seeking no reward, which is
characteristic of the best Lewisman. Little did we know and little did
he, that he was destined for an ill-fated ship; but he had to goto sea,
as he knew it was his duty and calling to do so. John Angie liked to be
in the thick of the fray, and made a good fight of everything he
tackled. This could not be more clearly shown than on the football
field. When he was a member of the Point eleven, and later of the
Nicolson Institute eleven, he always played a hard and plucky game from
start to finish. There was no half-heartedness about him. I am certain
he showed the same spirit in sterner tasks and that he bravely met his
death. The stock from which he sprung, on both is father's and mother's
side, were well-known for their hardiness and endurance. He was a lad
who made many friends, and possessed all the qualities which make us so
proud of our Lewis servicemen. The village of Shader must greatly miss
such a well-liked lad as he.
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