The Scottish War Graves Project

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Laxay is a crofting village in the district of Lochs, 12 miles south of Stornoway along the A859 to Harris.

There are two cemeteries in or near Laxay. The first, Kinloch Cemetery, just to the northeast of the village, does (to my knowledge) not contain wargraves. The second one, the old cemetery, is slightly tricky to find. It lies 350 yards east of the Kinloch Church of Scotland (at the western end of the village). It shows up quite clearly on the hillside beside the road. Entry is at a gate with a track that angles up a slope, below two private houses. It is advisable to park at the church and walk back.

The cemetery lies draped over a hilltop, but the wargraves are only located in the northern and central parts. When walking up the access track, those are the areas ahead and to the right. The lower, more recent part, of the cemetery to the left does not contain any wargraves.

Grid reference: NB324218

View from the road

Access is through this gate.

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Gunner MALCOLM MARTIN
Last address in Lewis: 21 Balallan,
Son of Donald and Christina McAulay Martin, of 21, Balallan, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Pembroke
Service number: 12067/DA
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 38
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Was engaged in Argentine and Patagonia sheep farming at outbreak of war
Interred: Laxay Cemetery, in northwest part
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman JOHN MACLEOD
Last address in Lewis: 25 Laxay,
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Colin MacLeod, of 25, Laxay, Lochs, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMML 411
Service number: 3607/SD
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 24
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Laxay Cemetery, in northeast part
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

For some time in the Cameron Highlanders, which he relinquished owing to ill health

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman ANGUS MONTGOMERY
Aonghais Choinneach Bhan
Last address in Lewis: 2 Garyvard,
Son of Kenneth and Margaret Montgomery
Husband of Mary Ann Montgomery, of 2, Garyvard, Lochs, Stornoway. Father to 8 children.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Unity
Service number: 1445SD
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 44
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Had served as a soldier in the South African War for which he held several medals. Survived by wife and 8 children.
Interred: Laxay Cemetery, southeast corner
Lewis Memorial: Park, Kershader

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Sergeant GEORGE MACDONALD
Last known address in Lewis: 18 Laxay
Son of John and Catherine Macdonald
Service unit: 5th Bde Canadian Field Artillery
Service number: 86167
Date of death: 10 September 1918 at the age of 30
Died of gas poisoning in France
Interred: Aubigny Communal Cemetery, grave IV. B. 7
Village memorial: Kinloch, Laxay
Lewis War Memorial: Parish of Lochs, panel 1
Served for some years in the Glasgow and Canadian Police Forces
Stornoway Gazette tribute

Private MALCOLM MACDONALD
Last known address in Lewis: 18 Laxay
Son of John and Catherine Macdonald
Service unit: 16th Canadian Infantry
Service number: 21742
Date of death: 9 July 1921 at the age of 36
Interred: Winnipeg (Brookside) Cemetery, grave Mil. 337

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman FINLAY MONTGOMERY
Last address in Lewis: 1 Habost, Lochs,
Son of Roderick and Catherine Montgomery, of Habost, Lochs, Stornoway.
Headmaster of Achiltibuie School, Coigach.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, SS Harrow
Service number: 9106/A
Date of death: 8 September 1917 at the age of 31
Died in mining of ship off Whitby
Interred: Laxay Cemetery, in northeast part
Local memorials: Park, Kershader and Kinloch (under 4 Balallan)

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Lance Corporal NORMAN MACKINNON
Last address in Lewis: Halfway House (67) Balallan,
Son of Kenneth and Augusta Maciver Mackinnon, of Balallan, Lewis, Ross-shire.
Service unit: 14th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Service number: 5/12585
Date of death: 14 March 1917 at the age of 30
Interred: Peronne Communal Cemetery extension, grave I. C. 55.
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Private MALCOLM MACLEOD
Son of Malcolm and Mary Ann Macleod, of Balallan.
Unit: 7th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 2825531
Date of death: 8 April 1944 at the age of 30
Interred: Laxay Cemetery, northern extension, 3rd row from west wall
Memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Two casualties on this stone

Second Lieutenant NEIL MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 14 Balallan,
Son of Murdo and Catherine MacDonald, of 14, Balallan, Stornoway.
Service unit: 263rd Siege Battery RGA (Special Reserve).
Date of death: 25 April 1918 at the age of 24
Killed in action in France
Interred: La Clytte Military Cemetery, grave V. A. 22
Local memorial: Kinloch, Laxay; Nicolson Institution WW1, left panel
Decoration(s): MC

Was awared MC for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when forward observation officer of his battery. Finding his observation obstructed by long grass, he advanced about 200 yards into Nomansland, moving from shell hole to shell hole until he got a good view. He then returned for his wire and laid it out by himself, observing for his battery for 3 hours, during which he was constantly sniped and in great danger from his own shells. Had served with the Ross Mountain Battery throughout the Gallipoli campaign.

Gunner DONALD MACDONALD
Son of Murdo and Catherine Macdonald, of 14 Balallan, Isle of Lewis. Scotland.
Unit: 13 (Honourable Artillery Coy.) Regt. Royal Horse Artillery
Service number: 14694210
Date of death: 4 September 1944 at the age of 33
Interred: Adegem Canadian War Cemetery
Memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Private CATHERINE MACRAE
Daughter of Duncan Alexander and Margaret Macrae, of Balallan. Quoted at Eishken on war memorial
Unit: attd. 449 Bty., 130 H.A.A. (H) Regt. (Royal Artillery) Auxiliary Territorial Service
Service number: W/81981
Date of death: 15 September 1942 at the age of 25
Interred: Laxay Cemetery, northern extension, 13th row from west wall
Memorial: Kinloch, Laxay

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Aircraftwoman 2nd Class CATHERINE ANN MACDONALD
Daughter of John and Marion MacDonald, of Laxay.
Unit: Women's Auxiliary Air Force
Service number: 485789
Date of death: 8 December 1945
Interred: Laxay Cemetery, northern extension, 5th row from west wall
Memorial: Kinloch, Laxay