John Angus Murray, 3 Newlands, Shulishader

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.

Murdo Macdonald, 16 Shulishader

Able Seaman MURDO MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 16 Shulishader
Son of Torquil and Marion MacDonald.
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 11 July 1943 at the age of 36
Lost in bombing of SS California off Portugal
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 22
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost

Stornoway Gazette, 10 September 1943
We regret to record that Murdo Macdonald, MN, 16 Shader Point, is presumed lost as a result of enemy action. Murdo was 36 years of age and was a sailor since he was quite a young chap. He was a very companionable man and made friends with all whom he met. His face always wore a smile. A gloom was cast over the village when the news spread that he was not among the survivors from his ship. His two sisters and two brothers and an aunt survive him. The youngest of the family, Cpl Alex Macdonald, RAMC, is on active service. To the sorrowing family, we extend deep sympathy in their bereavement.

Norman Malcolm Montgomery, 17 Sheshader

Able Seaman NORMAN MALCOLM MONTGOMERY
Last address in Lewis: 17 Sheshader
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 8 May 1941 at the age of 22
Saved from ship SS Empire Light by German raider Pinguin, lost when that was sunk by HMS Cornwall
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 43
Mentioned on family gravestone in Eye Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost

Murdo Campbell, 5 Sheshader

Bosun MURDO CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 5 Sheshader
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 8 May 1941 at the age of 33
Saved from ship SS Empire Light by German raider Pinguin, lost when that was sunk by HMS Cornwall
Mentioned on family gravestone in Eye Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost

Evander Macrae, 8 Portvoller

Able Seaman EVANDER MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 8 Portvoller
Service: Merchant Navy, MV Pizarro
Date of death: 31 January 1941 at the age of 30
Lost on ship sunk by Italian submarine
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 82
Mentioned on family gravestone in Eye Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost

George Campbell, 5 Portnaguran

Seaman GEORGE CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 5 Portnaguran
Son of John and Catherine Campbell, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 8 May 1941 at the age of 29
Saved from ship SS Empire Light by German raider Pinguin, lost when that was sunk by HMS Cornwall
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 43
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost

Donald Graham, 11 Allotments, Garrabost

Seaman DONALD GRAHAM
Last address in Lewis: 11 Allotments, Garrabost
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 8 May 1941 at the age of 18
Saved from ship SS Empire Light by German raider Pinguin, lost when that was sunk by HMS Cornwall
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 43
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost

Norman Montgomery, 19 New Garrabost

Seaman NORMAN MONTGOMERY
Last address in Lewis: 19 New Garrabost
Son of Murdo and Catherine Montgomery, of New Garrabost, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 31 January 1941 at the age of 39
Lost on MV Pizarro sunk by Italian submarine
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 82
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost

John Macrae, 27 Lower Bayble

Able Seaman JOHN MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 27 Lower Bayble
Son of Donald and Catherine Macrae.
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS California
Date of death: 11 July 1943 at the age of 29
Lost in bombing of ship off Portugal
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 22
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost

Colin John Munro, 6 Knock, Point

Quartermaster COLIN JOHN MUNRO
Last address in Lewis: 6 Knock, Point
Son of John and Margaret Munro.
Service: Merchant Navy, SS Dumana
Date of death: 24 December 1943 at the age of 34
Lost when ship was torpedoed near Takaradi, Ivory Coast
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 36
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost


Stornoway Gazette, 11 February 1944
A FRIEND'S TRIBUTE
A gloom was cast over the village of Knock when it became known that Quartermaster Colin John Munro. aged 34, second son of Mrs Munro and the late Mr John Munro, 6 Knock, had been posted "missing, presumed lost at sea." He had followed a seafaring career for a number of years, and had been in foreign waters since war was declared. Just a week prior to the sad news he informed his mother of his intention to come home at the beginning of the New Year. but, alas. that was not to be. “Gob”, as he was familiarly known, was of a humorous and jovial spirit, and made friends with everyone he came in contact with. He was always to the fore whatever the task or the danger ; always ready to give a helping hand. His cheerful smile and kind, unselfish heart made him a favourite with old and young. He was so full of life and happiness. the more we saw of him, the more we wished to see. As a community we will miss him and we extend our sympathy to the bereaved mother, who has lost a dutiful son, to his sisters at home, in Aberdeen, in Edinburgh, and two brothers on active service.

Evander Macrae, 8 Portvoller

Able Seaman EVANDER MACRAE
Last address in Lewis: 8 Portvoller
Service: Merchant Navy, MV Pizarro
Date of death: 31 January 1941 at the age of 30
Lost on ship sunk by Italian submarine
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 82
Mentioned on family gravestone in Eye Cemetery, Lewis
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost

Alexander Macdonald, 7 Aird, Point

Able Seaman ALEXANDER MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Aird
Son of Malcolm and Annie Macdonald.
Service: Merchant Navy, SS Stockport
Ship torpedoed by U-604 in mid-Atlantic, with the loss of all hands
Date of death: 23 February 1943 at the age of 31
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 101

Norman Murray Macdonald, 7 Aird, Point

Second Officer NORMAN MURRAY MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 7 Aird
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 11 March 1943 at the age of 21
Lost on SS Baron Kinnaird sunk by U-621 NE of Newfoundland.
Was youngest 2nd mate at age 19
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 14
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost

John Malcolm Mackenzie, 5 Aird, Point

Able Seaman JOHN MALCOLM MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 5 Aird
Son of Norman and Catherine Mackenzie.
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 30 October 1940 at the age of 32
Lost on SS Rutland south of Rockall
Memorial: Tower Hill, panel 89
Local memorial: Point, Garrabost

Aulay Macdonald, 4 Westview Terrace, stornoway

Second Engineer AULAY MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 4 Westview Terrace, Stornoway
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 17 November 1940 at the age of 40
Lost on SS Widestone sunk by U-184, which was sunk itself 4 days later

Neil Murdo Stewart, Seaview Terrace, Stornoway

Greaser NEIL MURDO STEWART
Last address in Lewis: 39 Seaview Terrace, Stornoway
Son of Murdo and Mary Stewart of Stornoway; husband of Jessie M. Stewart, of Stornoway.
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 14 August 1944 at the age of 51
Died in Liverpool of illness contracted whilst serving on MV Hyacinth
Interred: Sandwick Cemetery, section L, grave 2416

Donald Macleod, Seaview Terrace, Stornoway

Able Seaman DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 8 Seaview Terrace, Stornoway
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 11 March 1943 at the age of 26
Lost on MV Empire Impala sunk by U-591 in gale
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Murdo Nicolson, Seaforth Road, Stornoway

Able Seaman MURDOCH NICOLSON
Last address in Lewis: 46 Seaforth Road, Stornoway
Service: Canadian Merchant Navy
Date of death: 11 July 1943 at the age of 30
Lost when SS California was bombed off Portugal
Memorial: Halifax, panel 23
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial
View tribute here

John Ferguson, Ropework Road, Stornoway

Donkeyman JOHN FERGUSON
Last address in Lewis: 29 Ropework Road, Stornoway
Service: Naval Auxiliary Personnel (Merchant Navy)
Date of death: 28 April 1941 at the age of 31
Lost when SS Patia was bombed and sunk off Northumberland
Interred: Tynemouth (Preston) Cemetery, section K, grave 14424
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial

Malcolm Mackay, New Street, Stornoway

Engineer MALCOLM MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 18 New Street, Stornoway
Service: Merchant Navy
Date of death: 30 April 1940 at the age of 69
Died of natural causes