I've been extracting some statistics from the transcription of the Roll of Honour for Lewis. Of the 6,030 names on the roll, nearly 570 served in a Canadian unit. More than 700 came from Stornoway, not surprising as this was (and still is) the largest centre of population in Lewis.
The most common surnames were Macleod and Macdonald, which combined comprise one third of the Lewis contingent.
Half of the men from Lewis served in the Navy, including Naval reserves (2,400). The other half were in the landarmy, in units like the Seaforth, Gordon and Cameron Highlanders as well as the Ross Mountain Battery.
Some 1,150 died, and each year of the war (excluding 1914, but including 1919) claimed about 200 of them. Half of the fatalities were killed in action, either on land or at sea. According to the Roll of Honour (sic), 172 lost their lives in the Iolaire disaster (see disclaimer at the end of this post). The majority of those that died were aged 18-23.
The vast majority of medals awarded were Mons Star and 1914 Star, both given to those involved in the fight for Antwerp and the withdrawal from Mons to the Marne in late 1914.
As the Isle of Lewis has more than 100 villages (including Stornoway), it will take me a number of days to compile the webpages for each village. They will appear under my own website, which will be fully revamped with a shift towards local history.
Very interesting, the military facts Guido. I got very into military research when doing my family tree, quite a few regiments involved there.
ReplyDeleteGuido, You have done such a wonderful job of getting all the facts together. I do hope that the Library etc are keeping all your data. It is so sad when you think of all these young men..the war to end all wars....and here we are almost 100 years later and still it continues...
ReplyDeletewe have had a very wet day here never stopped...hope it is better tomorrow and Thursday when we are going (on Thurs.) to the Balloon festival in Bristol but only if it dry.
Love Sybil x
A year's toll of casualties lost at once on the Iolaire, just devastating.
ReplyDeleteGood work Guido.
Very interesting Guido. A beautiful picture for your header. Helen
ReplyDeleteIt weighs heavy on my heart to think of so many young men losing their lives. Your website is most impressive, I visited the other day. You should be commended on the time and effort you put in to this. Well done.
ReplyDeleteVery awesome, G! Thanks for providing the link too! You are amazing...
ReplyDeletebe well...