Raasay’s war memorial is a recognisable silhouette for anyone who arrives by ferry to Raasay or walks the road to Suisnish. It was unveiled in 1920, one of thousands of memorials to the Great War that were appearing in all around the United Kingdom at that time. The Raasay memorial is a carved obelisk – a design shared by many war memorials around Scotland that were usually funded through donations by the local community. In this case it was “Enthusiastically subscribed by the inhabitants of Raasay and Rona”.
It’s also important to remember that this was a memorial for Raasay and Rona, which was once a distinct and sizeable community of its own.
History of the Memorial
War memorials online describes the memorial as: an overall height of approximately 16 feet. It has a rectangular base finished in a fine limestone pebble dash, which is splayed on all four sides to a second block of polished grey granite. This carries the body of a polished grey obelisk of Aberdeen granite. The memorial is on the seaward side of the road The names of the fallen are on the southeast (First World War) and northeast (Second World War) faces, inscribed in lead cut letters. The finial is a single slender block of the same grey granite tapering to a pyramidal point.. Restored 2017 by Loch Dubh Masonry of Strathcarron. The memorial has inscriptions of 22 names for WW1 and 6 names for WW2. The memorial which was paid by public subscription, was sculpted and erected by D & A Davidson of Academy Street, Inverness. The memorial was unveiled by David T Munro of Suisinish in April 1920.
Interestingly, it seems the site that was chosen for the war memorial was already occupied. In 1928 the RCAHMS recorded: “This site falls on the top of a rocky knoll over-looking Inveravish Bay, now occupied by Raasay War Memorial. Loose stone around the base of the memorial, covering an area 8-9m in diameter, suggests this is the site of a cairn.”
This is why many OS maps and records often list the memorial as “Memorial on site of cairn”. Earlier records report that human remains had been found at the site in 1841 and describes the site as a ‘tumulus‘ or gravesite of some sort. Given the prominent position over Churchton Bay, it’s probably no surprise that a commemoration site for the dead has perhaps taken place here for hundreds of years. Was the site here neolithic? Medieval? Something else? We’ll probably never know.
The Men of Memorial.
There are 28 names on the Raasay War memorial – 22 from the First World War, and 6 from the Second World War that were added later. Below is a list of the men who appear, their rank, service number and information from documents and notes that I have collected. Some information is missing and some may be incorrect. The “notes” section are handwritten notes that were found alongside the names from an old document and are probably recollections taken during conversation.
World War I
DONALD GILLIES – GUNNER – Royal Garrison Artillery – 69539
Born in Fladda to parents, Ronald and Bella Gillies. Enlisted into the Royal Garrison Artillery early in the war. He was sent to Palestine and was attached to the 1st (Hong Kong and Singapore) Mountain Battery when he became ill. He was sent to hospital in Egypt where he died on 31st August 1917, aged 25. He is buried in Kantara War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. He is also commemorated on the Raasay War Memorial. His rank appears to have been Saddler.
Notes: Son of Ronald, brother of Iain Raghnaill, cottages
ALEXANDER GRAHAM – PRIVATE – 10th Australian Infantry – 2158
Private Graham was born in Rona, the son of Alexander and Julia Graham. He worked in the Partick Police before emigrating to Australia in 1911. He lived at Port Adelaide in South Australia and enlisted into the Australian Infantry. He was sent to Egypt and whilst there struck down by disease. He died in Alexandria on 24th September 1915, aged 27. He is buried in the Chatby War Memorial Cemetery. .
Notes: Brother of Seonaidh Alasdair Sheumais
KENNETH MACDONALD – CORPORAL – 4th Cameron Highlanders – 1317
Corporal Kenneth MacDonald was born in Inverness, the son of Donald and Anne MacDonald. He lived at 48 Inverarish Terrace, Raasay, when he enlisted into the Territorials. He went to France in mid-February 1915 and took part in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. During the night attack at Festubert on 17th May 1915, he was killed by shellfire aged 29. As he has no known grave, he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France.
Notes: Son of a smith, not of Raasay
JOHN MACDONALD – GUNNER – ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE – A/8212
John MacDonald was born at Ostaig in Sleat, the eldest son of John and Catherine MacDonald. His father was a shepherd working at Fearns in Raasay. He served on the “Mauretania” before she was converted to a hospital ship and later as a Gunner aboard the Tanker SS Conch when she was torpedoed by the German submarine UB-23 in the English Channel on 7th December 1916. There were no survivors. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. As well as the Raasay memorial, he is also on the Sleat War Memorial. John was 22 when he died.
Notes: Son of a shepherd in Fearns, not of Raasay
ALEXANDER MACKENZIE – PRIVATE – 4th Seaforth Highlanders – 1583
Alexander MacKenzie, son of John and Mary MacKenzie, was born at Kyle Rona. He enlisted into the Seaforth Highlanders at Kinlochewe. He reached France at the end of 1914 and took part in the fighting at Neuve Chapelle. It was amid the fighting to secure Aubers Ridge in May 1915 that he was wounded in action. He was transferred to hospital at Wimereux died on 19th May 1915 as a result of his wounds. He is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery in France.
Notes: Brother of Kenny the Post, son of Seonaidh Alasdair Bhig
DONALD MACKENZIE – PRIVATE – 52nd Canadian Infantry – 425141
Donald MacKenzie was born at Kyle Rona on 19th June 1881, the son of Alexander and Rachael MacKenzie. He emigrated to Canada and was living there with his wife Annie and working as a postman when he enlisted into the Canadian Infantry on 29th March 1915, leaving for France later that year. On the night of 16th September 1916 he was in a sunken road, west of Courcelette, when he was wounded in the head by shrapnel. He was taken to No. 1 New Zealand Hospital at Amiens, where he died from his wounds on 23rd September 1916 aged 35. He is buried in St Pierre Cemetery in Amiens in France.
Nones: Another brother of Kenny
JOHN MACLEAN – CORPRAL – 4th Cameron Highlanders
Notes: Clachan. Son of Iain Iain Ghairbh
JOHN MACLEAN – PRIVATE – AYRSHIRE YEOMANRY – 2768
John MacLean was born on Raasay and lived at Oskaig. He enlisted into the Ayrshire Yeomanry at Ayr in the early part of the war. He was sent to France and was serving with the Household Cavalry during the Battle of Arras when he was involved in the attack near the River Scarpe. On 3rd May 1917 he was killed in action. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
Notes: Son of Catriona MacLean?
KENNETH MACLENNAN – PRIVATE – 2nd Scottish Rifles – 10011
Kenneth MacLennan was born in Rona, the son of Alexander MacLennan, a church missionary. He was a regular soldier who had enlisted in Glasgow and was serving in Malta when war was declared. The 2nd Scottish Rifles landed in France on 5th November 1914 and spend their first winter in trenches south west of Messines. It was here on 30th December 1914 that Private MacLennan was killed in action aged 28. As he has no known grave he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial in France.
Notes: Son of Alex MacLennan missionary Alasdair a’Cheistear
MURDO MACLENNAN – PRIVATE – 4th Cameron Highlanders – 1705
MacLennan was born at Inverarish in Raasay, the son of Norman MacLennan. He was a member of the Skye Company of the 4th Cameron Highlanders and volunteered for overseas service when he was mobilised in August 1914. Before going over to France he was sent to Bedford to train. It was during this training that the outbreak of measles occurred. MacLennan contracted the disease and died as a result on 29th December 1914, aged just 17 years old. His body was carried home to Raasay and he was buried in Raasay Cemetery on 1st January 1915.
Notes: Son of Norman MacLennan Tormod an t-Shaighdear. Brother Angus died with Merchant Navy 5th April 1943.
DUNCAN MACLEOD – PRIVATE – 5th Cameron Highlanders – 1495
Duncan MacLeod was born in the parish of Portree, the son of Norman and Elizabeth MacLeod. His family lived at Balmeanach in Raasay. He enlisted into the 4th Cameron Highlanders in 1914, being sent to France in February 1915. When the Territorial Battalion was no longer viable he was transferred to the 5th Battalion. During the Battle of the Somme on 17th August 1916 he was involved in the attack on Switch Elbow. It was there on that day that he was killed in action, aged 22. He is buried in Pozieres British Cemetery in France.
Notes: Son of Domhnull Iain Bhain
MURDO MACLEOD – 7th Cameron highlanders
Notes: Mill Place. Son of Rachel Nicolson ‘ Muchan’?
JOHN MACLEOD – 7th Cameron highlanders
Notes: Mill Place. Son of Alasdair Mor, brother of Donald
JOHN MACLEOD – PRIVATE – Royal Engineers – 205160
John MacLeod was born on Raasay and lived on the Island of Fladda with his parents John and Catherine MacLeod. He was living in America when war was declared and came home to enlist into the Royal Engineers at Westminster. He was sent to the Persian Gulf, serving in the Inland Water Section. He was accidentally drowned on the 26th July 1917 while serving in Mesopotamia. He is buried in the Basra War Cemetery in Iraq. On the Raasay War Memorial he is shown as serving in the Canadian Pioneers.
Notes: Son of Iain Chalum, Catriona Beaton’s granduncle
WILLIAM MACLEOD – PRIVATE – 4th Cameron Highlanders – 972
William MacLeod was born in Portree and lived at Balmeanach in Raasay. He was the son of Donald and Marion MacLeod. When mobilised with the Territorials in August 1914, he immediately volunteered for overseas service. He was sent to France and took part in the attack at Festubert in May 1915. On 25th September 1915 he was involved again in the fighting of the Battle of Loos. It was there that he was killed by a shell, aged 28. He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France.
Notes: Another son of Domhnull Iain Bhain
ALEXANDER MACLEOD – DECK HAND – Royal Naval Reserve – 15119/DA
Alexander MacLeod was born in West Suisnish on Raasay and lived there with his parents John and Marion MacLeod. He was called up for service early in 1917 and sent to the south of England for training. It was while he was there that he caught the measles from which he died on 17th April 1917 aged 19. He is buried in Raasay Cemetery but also commemorated on the Haslar Royal Naval Memorial in England.
Notes: Uncle of Finlay MacLennan. Alasdair Sheonidh Alasdair
CHARLES MACLEOD – SEAMAN – Royal Naval Reserve
Charles MacLeod was born in South Arnish on Raasay, the son of Malcolm and Kate MacLeod. He was called up to the Royal Naval Reserve and was serving on board the armed Trawler “Skylark II” when she collided with another vessel off St John’s Point, County Down, in the Irish Sea on 30th September 1918. Seaman MacLeod was among those lost in the sinking, aged 22. As his body was never found he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial in England.
Notes: Calum of the road’s uncle. Tearlach Chalum Domhnuill
DUNCAN MACRAE – LANCE CORPORAL – 4th Cameron Highlanders – 200208
Duncan MacRae was born in the parish of Portree and lived at 4 Mill Place on Raasay with his father Malcolm MacRae. He had enlisted into the 4th Cameron Highlanders on Raasay in 1913. At the outbreak of the war in August 1914 he had been mobilised and was sent to France in February 1915. he took part in the battles at Neuve Chapelle, Festubert, Loos and the Somme. On 28th April 1917, during the Battle of Arras, he was involved in the attack on Cavalry Farm near Guemappe and was killed in action, aged 27. He is buried in the Tank Cemetery in France.
Notes: Mill place. Brother of John. Brother of Willie MacRae Dunnchadh Chalum
JOHN MACRAE – PRIVATE – 4th Cameron Highlanders – 1495
John MacRae was born in Portree and lived at Mill Place with his father Malcolm. He had enlisted into the local Territorials in 1913 in Raasay and was sent to France in February 1915. He took part in the attack at Festubert. He was wounded during the Battle of Loos on 25th September and transferred to hospital at Bethune where he died as a result of his wounds on 1st October 1915 aged just 19. He is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery in France.
Notes: Mill place. Another brother
PETER NICOLSON- PRIVATE – 4th Cameron Highlanders – 1654
Private Nicolson (17) was born in Portree, the son of Neil and Ellen Nicolson. The family lived at the Orchard on Raasay. He had enlisted into the Cameron Highlanders mobilised in August 1914 where he volunteered for overseas service. He was sent to Bedford for training, before being sent to France. During the measles outbreak he contracted the disease, which developed into pneumonia. He died on 16th January 1915 as a result of this, aged just 17 years. His body was taken home and buried in Raasay Cemetery.
Notes: JB Nicolson’s nephew. Cousin of Joy, wife of John MacLean, Oban High School
RONALD BEAUMONT WOOD – A/LIEUTENANT COLONEL – 12th Royal Lancers
Ronald Wood was born in England and lived at Raasay House with his parents, Herbert and Evelyn Wood and married to Inez. He volunteered for service and was commissioned and sent to France. He fought in many of the major battles and was Mentioned in Despatches for his gallantry. During the Battle of Amiens he was attached to the 6th Royal Tank Regiment in the attack at Bapaume when he was killed in action on 21st August 1918 aged 36. He is buried in Bienvillers Military Cemetery in France. He is also commemorated on the Raasay War Memorial.
JOHN LOCKHARD WOOD – CAPTAIN – 12th Royal Lancers
John Lockhart Wood was born in England, the older brother of Ronald Wood. He received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 18th Hussars, becoming Lieutenant in June 1894 and promoted to captain in June 1901. He saw service in Africa for many years and retired in 1904. He rejoined in 1914 and served in a reserve regiment until May 1915 when he joined in the 18th Hussars in Flanders. He was wounded in Flanders on the 24th of May and was transferred to the 3rd London Hospital in Wandsworth. He died of his wounds on the 11th of June 1915, aged 44.
World War II
I have less detailed records of the men of the Second World War. I’ll update and add to these as I find more information.
NEIL GILLIES – SERGEANT – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve – 1387485
Neil Gillies, of Balachurn, was a pilot who served with the 158th Squadron of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Taking off from RAF Lissett on the night of 23 of May 1943, Neil’s aircraft – a Halifax II heavy bomber HR781 – was shot down by a German night fighter. Neil, aged 27, along with three other flight crew were killed. Three crew survived and were captured as prisoners of war. He is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in Germany.
Notes: Balachurn. Niall Iain Iain Raghnaill
DONALD GILLIES – PRIVATE – Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Donald Gillies, of Inverarish, served during the Battle of France. He was killed during the what is known as “other” Battle of the Somme, which took place around Abbeville on 07 June 1940. He is buried in the Friville-Escarbotin Communal Cemetery in France. He was 29 years old.
Notes: Son of Seonaidh Iain Dhomhnuill ?
ANGUS MACLENNAN – CAPTAIN (MASTER) – Merchant Navy
Angus Maclennan was born 12th April 1889 to Norman MacLennan and Mary Graham of Fladda, the eldest of five children. He married in South Africa and in June 1942 was appointed as master of the cargo ship SS Aloe sailing out of Durban. On the 5th April 1943, 420 miles South-East of Durban the ALOE was intercepted by U-182 on her first active patrol, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Asmus Nicolai Clausen , and sunk by torpedo in position 32′ 37S 37′ 50E. After safely abandoning ship without loss of life, U-182 surfaced and approached the lifeboats and took Captain MacLennan onboard as a prisoner. After providing food and other means in order to survive for the remaining crewmembers, U-182 left the scene. The 46 survivors were eventually picked up by the American liberty ship Alexander Ramsey and landed at Cape Town.
On the 10th April, Kapitänleutnant Clausen sent a radio message to the U-boat command (Bdu) informing them of the sinking of the ALOE and that the ships Master was onboard his U-boat. The final radio signal sent from U-182 on the 1st May 1943 stated they had sunk a Greek merchant ship named Adelfotis and this is the last anything was heard from the U-boat, her 61 crew and Captain MacLennan. The Germans recorded the U-boat as officially missing 15th May 1943 and probable cause of loss by US aircraft. It turns out U-182 was actually sunk the 16th May 1943 North-West of Madeira in position 33′ 55N, 20′ 35W, by depth charges from the American destroyer USS Mackenzie, which had been part of the escort group for the Algiers bound Convoy UGS-8 (source). It is assumed that Angus was lost with U-182 and died, aged 54.
Notes: Mill Place. Son of Tormod an t-Shaighdear
ALEXANDER MACLEOD – SERGEANT – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve – 1001661
Alexander Macleod was the son of John M and Lexy MacLeod of Clachan. He received his commission in November 1939 and served as a flight sergeant in 78 Squadron of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, flying Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bombers. On the 13th of March 1942 his aircraft failed to return from an operational flight over Boulogne, France (source). Alexander, as well as the four other crew, were presumed killed. He was 22 years old.
Notes: Clachan Alasdair a’Ghriasiche
WILLIAM MACLEOD – PRIVATE – Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders – 2933743
William MacLeod was the son of Donald and Mary MacLeod, Mill Place. He died on the 23rd May 1941, aged 23 years old. William is buried on Raasay, in the new cemetery above the Orchard.
Notes: Mill Place. Domhnull Mor’s son
ALAISTER NICOLSON – TROOPER – Royal Armoured Corps – 7938541
Alaister Nicolson was the son of Malcolm and Jane Nicolson, Inverarish. He died on the 14 November 1942, aged 21 years old. His name is listed on the Alamein Memorial in Egypt.
Notes: Doh’s brother Atta
