The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

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

When I Heard The Bell by John Macleod (Birlinn Books) covers the loss of HMY Iolaire - in good bookshops this month - book launch early March.

c284 pages.

There is another book on the Iolaire being written by Donald J.MacLeod at present - title and publishing date not yet decided but will cover the Iolaire men and their families.

I'm pleased to have helped/ currently helping both gentlemen with their projects.

Malcolm Macdonald

Adam Brown · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 8:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks Malcolm, I'll look out for the first book soon.

Regards

Adam

ADP · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 467 Location: Edinburgh

Memorial: HMY Iolaire
Location: Holm Point [Rubha Thuilm], near Sandvaig [Sanndabhaig], a mile or so east of Stornoway [Steòrnabhagh].
Grid Ref: NB444304
UKNIWM Ref: 44784

A few more views of the Iolaire memorial. Taken from CalMac's MV Isle of Lewis, leaving Stornoway for Ullapool, in June 2009.

ADP

adb41 · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 178 Location: Stornoway

Excellent imagery, ADP. It is worth pointing out that it is not easy to make out the monument from the ferry, but the spike on top of the Beasts of Holm reef is a good pointer.

ADP · Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 467 Location: Edinburgh

Keptie · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 11:13 am Post subject: Iolaire & new Book published

Thanks Malcolm for the info on the newly published book on the Iolaire . I found it on W H Smith's website and you can either order it by delivery to a W H Smiths shop near you or by First Class post delivery to your door . Got the book yesterday and it looks well researched with interesting factual info and excellent info on the crew and passengers who were casualties or survivors .

patrick w anderson

alexmaclennan · Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:45 pm Post subject: When I Heard the Bell Toll

More details of the book

When I Heard the Bell Toll

John Macleod

Birlinn £16.99

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/critique/Book-Review-When-I-Heard.4996715.jp

http://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Heard-Bell-John-MacLeod/dp/1841587923

alex
_________________
alex maclennan

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

A new Memorial to the disaster is being constructed in Carn Gardens, beside Stornoway Town Hall. It is a cairn constructed of stones from the home village of each man lost- 20 of whom were from outside the Isles, including Hartlepool. London and the Isle of Wight.

It will be unveiled at 11am on 23rd March 2018

Full details are on WMR report 75762 & the Hebrides News of 11th March.

adb41 · Joined: 03 Jan 2008 Posts: 178 Location: Stornoway

For the centenary of the Iolaire tragedy, a new access path has been constructed. It is paved with tarmac, and wheelchair accessible.

A wall has been built just west of the memorial itself, which incorporates a special plaque. In front of it sits a bronze depiction of a coiled rope, the centenary memorial for the Iolaire. The names of all those lost have been cast into bronze strips, which are laid out in front of the wall and rope depiction.

HRH Prince Charles, Lord of the Isles and Duke of Rothesay, unveiled this new memorial on 1st January 2019.

A book has been published, which is held to be the definitive account of the tragedy. It is called "The Darkest Dawn", by Malcolm Macdonald and Donald John Macleod, ISBN 9781789070248. DJ sadly passed away before the book was published in November 1918.

I shall add further photos after my next visit to the memorial

Mike Morley · Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2019 7:06 pm Post subject:

An item in History Scotland, March/April 2019, about the Iolaire sinking includes details of some of the death records of those killed in the tragedy.

Mike Morley · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2019 11:46 am Post subject:

Name: CAMPBELL, ALEXANDER
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Leading Seaman
Service Number: 2999C
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Victory
Date of Death: 1/1/1919
Panel Reference: 32
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial

and his brother:

Name: CAMPBELL, DONALD
INitials: D
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Leading Seaman
Service Number: 2058C
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Date of Death: 1/1/1919
Age: 50
Additional Information: Husband of Catherine Campbell, of 3, Vatisker, Back, Stornoway.
Cemetery: Griais Old Churchyard, Stornoway

Alexander and Donald Campbell are included in an article about the Iolaire sinking on the National Records for Scotland website: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/learning/first-world-war/the-iolaire-disaster-1919

Mike Morley · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2019 11:50 am Post subject:

Name: MACDONALD, ANGUS
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Seaman
Service Number: 1830/D
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Imperieuse
Date of Death: 1/1/1919
Age: 45
Additional Information: Son of Allan and Mary MacDonald; husband of Mary MacDonald, of 42, Lurebost, Lochs, Stornoway.
Cemetery: Crosbost Cemetery

Angus MacDonald is also featured in the NAtional Records for Scotland article on the Iolaire sinking:

Mike Morley · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2019 11:56 am Post subject:

Name: MARTIN, MALCOLM
Initials: M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Deck Hand
Service Number: 12067/DA
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reservce, HMS Pembroke
Date of Death: 1/1/1919
Age: 38
Additional Information: Son of Donald and Christina McAulay Martin, of 21, Balallan, Stornoway.
Grave Reference: In North-West Part
Cemetery: Lacasaidh Cemetery, Isle of Lewis

Malcolm Martin had emigrated to South America a number of years before the war but was visiting his family when war broke out and was unable to return. This, and other information about him can be found at: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/learning/first-world-war/the-iolaire-disaster-1919

Mike Morley · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:32 pm Post subject:

Name: MACIVER, MALCOLM
Initials: M
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Seaman
Service Number: 2778/A
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Victory
Date of Death: 1/1/1919
Age: 35
Additional Information: Son of Neil Maciver
Cemetery: Dail Mor Cemetery, Isle of Lewis

More about Malcolm MacIver can be found in the National Records for Scotland item on the sinking of the Iolaire: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/learning/first-world-war/the-iolaire-disaster-1919

Mike Morley · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:54 pm Post subject:

Name: CAMPBELL, K
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Seaman
Service Number: 4804/A
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Galatea
Date of Death: 1/1/1919
Cemetery: North Tolsta Cemetery, Stornoway