Pentland Road - 2

A lifeboat, carrying survivors of SS Severn Leigh, made landfall at Leverburgh, Harris on 5 September 1940. The nine men on board had spent the previous two weeks or so making their way east from a position at the 25th degree longitude West, 54 degrees North. SS Severn Leigh was en route from Hull in England to St John, New Brunswick, Canada as part of a trans-Atlantic convoy. From August 20th, the ship had been chased by German U-boat U-37, but after three days her number was up. A torpedo hit her bow, and the crew abandoned ship in four lifeboats. The U-boat's captain spotted that the ship's gun was manned, and that the radio operator was sending out distress signals. So he resurfaced and shelled the ship again. Shrapnel strafed two lifeboats, still alongside, killing 33 crew members. Frank James Fox, a chief steward from Hull, was in one of the lifeboats, but died, or was found dead on arrival in the Outer Hebrides. He lies buried in the cemetery at Sandwick. Frank was 65 y...

SS Empire Light was sunk in 1941 in the Indian Ocean by the armed German raider Pinguin. Survivors of the encounter were picked up by the German vessel, which itself was then attacked by HMS Cornwall. The Pinguin was sunk, taking the survivors from the Empire Light to the bottom with her. Twenty-six of the Empire Light's crew perished on 8 May 1941, six of whom came from Lewis. Their names are: Norman MacIver, 37 Vatisker Murdo MacDonald, 32 Gress Donald Graham, Garrabost Murdo Campbell, 5 Sheshader (also quoted at 42 Inaclete Road, Stornoway) Norman Malcolm Montgomery, 17 Sheshader George Campbell, 5 Portnaguran A visit to the Eye cemetery reveals that was very much a family tragedy. Norman Malcolm Montgomery of 17 Sheshader was related to Murdo Campbell of 5 Sheshader. Norman's mother, Isabella Montgomery née Macleod, died 6 months after the sinking of the Empire Light. Her husband Norman was lost in the sinking of HMY Iolaire on 1 January 1919, one of the 205 drown...

In memory of all those who gave their lives, in peril on the seas. IN WATERS DEEP In ocean wastes no poppies blow, No crosses stand in ordered row, Their young hearts sleep... beneath the wave... The spirited, the good, the brave, But stars a constant vigil keep, For them who lie beneath the deep. 'Tis true you cannot kneel in prayer On certain spot and think. "He's there." But you can to the ocean go... See whitecaps marching row on row; Know one for him will always ride... In and out... with every tide. And when your span of life is passed, He'll meet you at the "Captain's Mast." And they who mourn on distant shore For sailors who'll come home no more, Can dry their tears and pray for these Who rest beneath the heaving seas... For stars that shine and winds that blow And whitecaps marching row on row. And they can never lonely be For when they lived... they chose the sea... Eileen Mahoney

There are at least two islands by that name off the west coast of Scotland, one in Loch Bracadale (Skye), and the other off the east coast of Benbecula. It is to the latter that this post refers. At present, I'm working my way through the list of WW1 casualties from Benbecula, and Donald Monk is one of them. Serjeant DONALD MONK Son of Capt. John and Catherine Monk, of Benbecula; Husband of Elizabeth Monk, of 134, Queen's Rd. West, North Vancouver. Last known address in Benbecula: Wiay Service unit: D Coy 49th Canadian Infantry (Alberta Regiment) Service number: A32674 Date of birth: 18 April 1886 Date of death: 30 October 1917 at the age of 31 Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, panel 24 - 28 - 30) Local memorial: Benbecula Donald was married to Elizabeth, living at 134th St / 114th Ave in Vancouver when he signed up for the CEF on 11 January 1915 at Edmonton. He is described as follows: Height: 5 ft 10 3/4 in Complexion: fair Eyes: brown Hair: brown ...

Armistice Day is nearly upon us, and I feel it is appropriate to post a reminder of my links that commemorate the Fallen from the Outer Hebrides in both World Wars. Centenary of Sacrifice is an on-going project, which will post the names of all the Fallen from these islands on the date, 100 years later, on which they died. Isle of Lewis Faces from the Lewis War Memorial A listing of the casualties from Lewis from WW1. Lewismen lost in the Great War A listing of the casualties from Lewis from WW1, including all available information (e.g. images of war graves, transcript of Stornoway Gazette tributes etc). Roll of Honour, Isle of Lewis 1914-1919 A transcript of Loyal Lewis, Roll of Honour, listing all from the island who served during WW1 Tributes for the War Memorial A transcript of tributes from the Stornoway Gazette to WW1 casualties from Lewis Tributes for the War Memorial (WW2) A transcript of tributes from the Stornoway Gazette to WW2 casualties from Lewis John...