The Scottish War Graves Project

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

These two graveyards are located on either side of a short track leading from the A866 road (Stornoway to Brocair) to the beach, on the eastern side of the Braighe. A large roadsign points to Eaglais na h-Aoidhe [Eye Church]. It is situated at the point where the road enters the Point or Eye peninsula at Aignish. You can park across the main road, where a blue recycling bank sits, or (if there are no other vehicles) near the access track. Please take care crossing the busy road, where vehicles tend to approach at speed.

The Aignish cemetery is situated to the right of the track. Please close any gates behind you. It lies around an ancient church, now a ruin, and some of the graves are in poor condition. Care is needed when walking around. The ruin of the church has been made safe, and some of the very ancient gravestones have been placed under a protective roof inside, worth a look.

The wargrave is situated near the church.

Grid reference: NB484322

The Eye cemetery is a modern graveyard. It lies behind the memorial for the Aignish landraiders, which stands prominently on a hillock. This graveyard is wedged between the A866 road and the sea. It sits some 10 feet above the road, with a steep drop beyond the perimeter fence. On the other side, sand dunes line the northern edge. Good views south, down the Minch, and north, up Broad Bay. The graveyard lies in a very exposed location. There are several access points; two from the main road, one from the beach and one near the Landraiders' Memorial.

Grid reference: NB482321

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman NORMAN MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: Church Street Garrabost,
Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Mackenzie, of 1, Church St., Garrabost, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Victory
Service number: 20072/DA
Date of death: 1 January 1919
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Old Eye Cemetery, Lewis
Lewis Memorial: Point (Garrabost)

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman JOHN CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 21 Lower Bayble
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Inconstant
Service number: 2805/B
Date of death: 5 September 1915 at the age of 34
Died in Chatham Naval Hospital
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery
Memorial reference: C. 1. 55.
Lewis Memorial: Point (Garrabost)

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman NORMAN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 8 Lower Bayble,
Son of Donald and Mary Murray MacLeod, of 37, Lower Bayble; husband of Mary MacLeod (nee Maciver), of 8, Lower Bayble, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMD Eslem
Service number: 7242/A
Date of death: 12 November 1918 at the age of 39
Died of pneumonia
Took part in the battle of Jutland
Interred: Aignish / Eye Cemetery
Memorial reference: C. 2. 36.
Lewis Memorial: Point (Garrabost)

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Gunner TORQUIL MUNRO
Last address in Lewis: 27 Aignish,
Son of John and Margaret Munro, of 27, Aignish, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS President III
Service number: 4517/A
Date of death: 31 January 1919 at the age of 24
Died of illness
Interred: Aignish / Eye Cemetery
Memorial reference: E. 3. 74.
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman MURDO MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 16 Swordale,
Son of Angus and C. Mackay, of 16, Swordle, Point, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve
Service number: 4511/B
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 32
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Had been on active service since 1914
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery
Memorial reference: F. 1. 55
Lewis Memorial: Point (Garrabost)

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman DONALD MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 22 Swordale,
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Service number: 2223/D
Date of death: 26 January 1917 at the age of 38
Died of illness at home
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery
Memorial reference: E. 2. 52

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman ALEX MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 1 Aird, Point
Son of William and Mary Mackenzie, married to Marion
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMY Iolaire
Service number: 3360/C
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 42
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Aignish / Eye Cemetery, grave A. 4. 35.
Village memorial: Point, Garrabost
Lewis War Memorial: Parish of Stornoway, Point division, panel 2

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Chief Petty Officer KENNETH CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 21 Lower Bayble,
Son of Donald and Isabella Campbell; husband of Mary Campbell, of 21, Lower Bayble, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Navy, HMS Pembroke
Service number: 155385
Date of death: 5 January 1917 at the age of 40
Died in hospital in Chatham
Served in the Royal Navy for 27 years
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery
Memorial reference: C. 2. 55.
Lewis Memorial: Point (Garrabost)

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Private WILLIAM MURRAY
Last address in Lewis: 15 Swordale
Son of John and Annie Murray
Service unit: 2nd Gordon Highlanders
Service number: 29012
Date of death: 28 January 1920 at the age of 19
Died at home of respiratory infection
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery, grave E. 3. 76

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman WILLIAM MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 44 Lower Bayble, Park
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Surf
Service number: 14360/DA
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 21
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Aignish / Eye Cemetery, grave C. 2. 76.
Lewis Memorial: Point (Garrabost)

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Gunner JOHN CAMPBELL
Last address in Lewis: 28 Benside,
Son of Donald and Mary Campbell, of 28, Benside, Laxdale, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Service number: 3020/DA
Date of death: 19 August 1917 at the age of 25
Died in hospital
Interred: Aignish / Eye Cemetery, grave D. 3. 69
Lewis War Memorial: Parish of Stornoway, Burgh & Central division, panel 3

Put in the winter at Scapa Flow after a severe voyage to the White Sea. He endured hardships which undermined his health, resulting ultimately in his death.

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman COLIN CRICHTON
Last address in Lewis: 11 Swordale,
Son of Colin and Christina Crichton, of 11, Swordale Point, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Vivid
Service number: 4760/SB
Date of death: 7 July 1918 at the age of 18
Died in Portsmouth
Joined when barely 16
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery, grave E. 1. 9
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman MURDO MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 13 Aignish,
Son of John MacKay, of 13, Aignish, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Vivid
Service number: 3093/A
Date of death: 18 January 1917 at the age of 26
Interred: Eye / Aignish cemetery, grave E. 3. 60
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Died in Plymouth Hospital
Took part in the defence of Antwerp and was one of the few RNR men who escaped after the fall of that city, making his way on foot across Holland dressed in clothes given to him by a friendly Dutch farmer.

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman MURDO MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 50 Lower Garrabost,
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Sanda
Service number: 3882A
Date of death: 25 September 1915 at the age of 24
Ship sunk by fire from shore battery at Blankenberge, Belgium
Interred: Eye / Aignish Cemetery, grave D. 1. 4.
Lewis Memorial: Point (Garrabost)