The Scottish War Graves Project

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Bosta [Bostadh] lies in the north of Great Bernera. Leave the main A858 road at Garynahine and take the B8011 to Uig and Bearnaraigh [Bernera]. After 6 miles, turn right down a single-track road (the B8059). Upon crossing the single-track bridge, you enter the island of Great Bernera. Continue right to the very end of the road, ignoring all side-roads, including the one to Croir (Crothair).

Ample carparking and a toiletblock are available at the cemetery, which stands in a stunning location above Bosta Beach. Cows roam the area, which unfortunately do sometimes leave their marks, although not in the graveyard.

Grid reference: NB138401

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Deckhand DONALD MACAULAY
"Domhnall an Sheorais"
Last address in Lewis: 4 Hacklet, Great Bernera
Son of John and Christina Macaulay, of 4, Hacklet, Bernera, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Max Pemberton
Service number: 2658/SD
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 21
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred at Bosta, Great Bernera
Lewis Memorial: Great Bernera

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

This grave is for a Royal Navy sailor from the Second World War, whose body washed up on Bosta Beach in October 1941. He was unidentifiable.

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Private NORMAN ANGUS MACDONALD
"Norman Angus Shroll"
Son of Donald and Christy McDonald, of 6, Hacklet, Bernera, Stornoway.
Last address in Lewis: 6 Hacklet, Great Bernera
Regiment or division: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6994
Date of death: 5 November 1917 at the age of 28
Killed in action in Mesopotamia
Medal: 1915 Star
Memorial: Basra, panel 37 and 64
Lewis Memorial: Great Bernera

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

This stone commemorates THREE casualties from the same family

Private ANGUS MACAULAY
"Aonghas Thormoid Bhain"
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lundale,
Son of Norman and Catherine Macaulay
Regiment or division: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6990
Date of death: 22 April 1916
Killed in action in Mesopotamia
Memorial: Basra
Memorial reference: Panel 37 and 64
Local memorial: Great Bernera

Private JOHN MACAULAY
"Iain Thormoid Bhain"
Son of Norman and Catherine Macaulay
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lundale,
Service unit: 1st Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6893
Date of death: 26 October 1914 at the age of 22
Killed in action in Flanders
Memorial: Ploegsteert Memorial, panel 9
Mentioned on family gravestone in Bosta Cemetery, Great Bernera
Local memorial: Great Bernera

Seaman DONALD MACAULAY
"Domhnall Thormoid Bhain"
Last address in Lewis: 3 Lundale,
Son of Norman and Catherine Macaulay
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMAB Duke of Albany
Service number: 3060C
Date of death: 24 August 1916 at the age of 30
Ship sunk by U-boat
Memorial: Chatham Naval, panel 18
Local memorial: Great Bernera

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Ordinary Seaman JOHN MARTIN
Iain Iomhair
Last address in Lewis: 17 Hacklet
Son of Angus and Annie Martin, of Bernera.
Service: Royal Navy Special Reserve, HMS Avonwater
Service number: C/SR76237
Date of death: 25 January 1940 at the age of 20
Died as a result of warservice, at Kingseat Hospital
Interred: Bosta Cemetery

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Sitting, right
Wireless Operator NORMAN MACIVER
"Absolom", "Tormod Beag"
Last address in Lewis: 4 Breaclet, Great Bernera
Regiment or division: Merchant Marine, SS Ben Lomond
Date of death: 7 July 1918 at the age of 21
Died in torpedoing of SS Ben Lomond (aka Turnbridge) off the Irish coast
Had gone south to Glasgow at age 18 to study wireless telegraphy, and obtained a first-class certificate
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Lewis Memorial: Great Bernera

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Sergeant FINLAY MACIVER
Son of the late Kenneth and Eliza Maciver. B.Sc. (Aberdeen).
Last address in Lewis: 54 Lower Barvas,
Regiment or division: 13th Yorkshire Regiment (formerly Army Veterinary Corps)
Service number: 33890
Date of death: 22 March 1918 at the age of 24
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 5
Village memorial: Barvas & Brue, panel 1; Nicolson Institute WW1, left panel
Lewis War Memorial: Parish of Barvas, South division, panel 3

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman KENNETH SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 1 Earshader,
Son to John and Marion Smith
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Cove
Service number: 1620C
Date of death: 1 January 1919
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred at Bosta, Great Bernera, Lewis
Local memorial: Great Bernera

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Able Seaman/Gunner JOHN MACLENNAN
Iain Mhurchaidh Scodaidh
Last address in Lewis: 8 Kirkibost
Son of Murdo and Kate Mary Maclennan, of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Service: Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Lady Shirley
Service number: P/X21128A
Date of death: 30 August 1940 at the age of 19
Memorial: Portsmouth Naval, panel 44, column 1
Local memorial: Great Bernera, Breaclet

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman NORMAN MACDONALD
"Tormod Thormoid Thormoid Oig"
Last address in Lewis: 5 Breaclet, Great Bernera
Son of Norman and Christy Macdonald, of 5, Breaclet, Bernera, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Regiment or division: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Laurentic
Service number: 3279/B
Date of death: 25 January 1917 at the age of 33
Drowned in HMS Laurentic
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 26
Lewis War Memorial: Parish of Uig, West division, panel 3

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman MALCOLM JOHN MACKAY
Last address in Lewis: 3 Garynahine
Service: Royal Naval Reserve (Patrol Service)
Service number: LT/X18047A
Date of death: 5 August 1940
Lost on HMT River Clyde
Memorial: Lowestoft Naval, panel 2, column 2
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

Please note that Malcolm John is quoted as being from Crulivig on the gravestone. His parents moved to Garynahine, hence this address

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

JOHN FERGUSON
"Iain Dhomhnaill Gobha"
Son of Donald and Margaret Ferguson
Last address in Lewis: 6 Crulivig
Regiment or division: US Army
Date of death: 18 July 1918 at the age of 30
Killed in action in France
Local memorial: Great Bernera, Breaclet

Private KENNETH FERGUSON
"Coinneach Dhomhnaill Gobha"
Last address in Lewis: 6 Crulivig
Son of Mrs. Margaret Ferguson, of 6, Crulivig, Uig, Stornoway.
Regiment or division: 2nd / 4th Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 4987
Date of death: 11 December 1916
Died of wounds
Interred: Contay British Cemetery, grave VIII. E. 15.
Local memorial: Great Bernera, Breaclet

adb41 · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 1546

Seaman JOHN MACKENZIE
"An t-Olach"
Last address in Lewis: 8 Breaclet, Great Bernera
Son of Malcolm and Annie Mackenzie, of 8, Breaclete, Bernera
Husband of Mary Macdonald Mackenzie, of 8, Breaclete, Bernera.
Father of Catherine.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMS Victory
Service number: 2038C
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 38
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire, was never found
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 26
Local memorial: Great Bernera