The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

MKMacdonald · Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Stornoway

I've discovered via a book on the history of the Lodge, by George Clavey, that in February 1925, the Lodge purchased a a Panelled Memorial Tablet in White Sicilian Marble with Laurel Wreath and Masonic Emblem (Square & Compass) all carried out in relief at the head of the Tablet, mounted upon a Dark Green Mounted Background at the cost of £25, including packaging and carriage to Stornoway.
The unveiling ceremony, in front of 100 brethren took place on 28 October 1925.
INSCRIPTION
To the Glory of God and in Honoured
Memory of the following Brethren of
Fortrose Lodge, No.108, Stornoway
who fell in the Great War.

Lieut. Donald Macdonald, R.N.V.R.
Lieut. Kenneth Maciver, R.E.
Seaman Murdo Mackay, R.N.R.
Lt.-Col. David Macleod, Gordons,
Sgt. William J. Macleod, Seaforths,
Pte. Murdo Macleod, Canadians,
Cpl. Duncan Macleod, Canadians,
Sgt. William H. Matheson, Canadians,
Seaman John Thomson, R.N.R.

THEY SHINE AS THE STARS FOR EVER AND EVER

I shall see whether one of the Lodge members will kindly take a photograph so that I can post on this site. As you are all aware public access to such a memorial is not normally possible.

The book relates to the minute of 27 April 1945 - The passing of Bro. Donald Morrison, lost over Germany, was mourned by the Lodge.

It is not clear as to whether his name, or indeed any others, were added to this memorial for the Second World War..

Please add this memorial to the list of War Memorials in the Outer Hebrides.

Malcolm Macdonald

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:10 am Post subject:

Malcolm

It would be good to be able to see this memorial if possible and find out if there is a Second World War one too.

Because of the nature of the society it means we don't have any Lodge memorials on teh forum to date and I'm sure there are many more.

Given the information on the memorial would it be possible to identify any of the men named? Just because the Lodge is in Stornoway I take it the men listed may have come from other parts of Lewis and were listed because they were members of the Lodge.

Adam

MKMacdonald · Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Stornoway

I can identify the following; all Isle of Lewis:
Lt Donald Macdonald, 10 Holm, 10 November 1918 aged 25, on HMPS Ascot, torpedoed off the Farne Islands
Lt Kenneth Maciver, Greenpark, Bayble, 30 October 1918 aged 37, accidentally killed in Nyasaland
Lt Col David Macleod, 12 Arnol, 19 December 1917 aged 47, CO 8th Gordons gassed in France
Cpl Duncan Macleod, Craigleor, 7 Lewis Street, Stornoway, 28 June 1917 aged 29, DOW at Roclincourt
Sgt William H Matheson, 23 Scotland Street, Stornoway, 17 January 1917 aged 36, KIA near Loos
L/Smn John Thomson, 32 Aird Tong, 22 February 1917 aged 38, lost off HMS Isonzo in the Meditteranean Sea

There are at least five Murdo Mackays from Lewis lost in the First World War who were Seamen in the Royal Naval Reserve, at least two Lewis-born Murdo Macleods in the Canadians and three Sgt William Macleods lost serving in the Seaforths who were Lewismen.

These three names could be identified by Lodge records as each member has a number and records have been kept.

Regards
Malcolm Macdonald

Adam Brown · Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 9:16 pm Post subject:

I take it this is the Kenneth MacIver listed

MACIVER, KENNETH OGG MACKENZIE
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: King's Royal Rifle Corps
Secondary Regiment: King's African Rifles
Secondary Unit Text: attd. 1st
Age: 37
Date of Death: 30/10/1918
Awards: Twice Mentioned in Despatches
Additional information: Son of Malcolm and Rose Maciver (nee Mackenzie), husband of Hilda Mary Maciver (nee Taylor), of 22, Strathearn Rd., Edinburgh. A Mining Engineer. Volunteered Aug., 1914. Served in the Cameroons (1914-15), also in France (1916).
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 25.
Cemetery: Mangochi Town Cemetery, Malawi

Malawi was known as Nyasaland before 1964.

If he was in the Cameroons in 1914 I wonder which unit he originally served in?

Adam

MKMacdonald · Joined: 24 Oct 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Stornoway

Yes Adam, that is the man.

The family moved to Edinburgh several years before the war and he and his brother emigrated to Africa. You will note that Kenneth was a mining engineer and that the memorial tablet states RE (Royal Engineers), which is of course incorrect but one can easily see how the mistake would have occurred. I am not aware of Kenneth's previous regiments despite knowing those that his brother served in.

His brother, Sgt William Matheson Maciver (an ex-Cameron Highlander and 2nd Rhodesian Infantry), was killed serving in France with the 1st South African Infantry on 22 March 1918 aged 36.

Regards
Malcolm

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

This is now WMR, ex UKNIWM, memorial 72732

anne park · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 5:41 am Post subject: David MacLeod GH

David MacLeod Lt Col (T) DSO 8th Gordon Highlanders b Ross-shire 05/01/1869 Age 47 Died F & F 19/12/1917 Son of the late W MacLeod, Arnol, Isle of Lewis. Husband of Helen MacLeod, 15 Marina Court, Bexhill-on-Sea. Officers Book page 166. Prodate Will Date: 31-May-1918: 32 James St; Stornaway. Widow Christina Helen MacLeod. Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun Fr 0113 Plot V Row D Grave 49
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Researching WWI info from Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire & Morayshire.