1 July 1916

The battalion is in action at the start of the Battle of the Somme, and was to incur severe casualties. The total number of dead for this one day (irrespective of rank) was 77, but the war diary singles out the heavy toll amongst officers (17). The number of wounded was 271, with 53 reported missing. This should be offset against a battalion strength of 947. The total number of dead from the British Army stands close to 60,000 for 1 July 1916 alone.

The entry from the war diary can be found in a separate entry.
There were 15 Lewis casualties on this day.

Private MALCOLM CAMPBELL
Son of Donald and Catherine Campbell, of Cross Ness, Stornoway.
Last address in Lewis: 26 Cross
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7308
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 22
Killed in action on the Somme
Interred: Serre Road Cemetery no 2, grave I. K. 6.
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Private KENNETH GRAHAM
Son of Mrs. Catherine Graham, of Aird, South Dell, Ness, Stornoway.
Last address in Lewis: Aird Dell
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7457
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 19
Killed in action on the Somme
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Private MALCOLM GUNN
Last address in Lewis: 15 Eorodale
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7267
Date of death: 1 July 1916
Killed in action on the Somme
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Lance-Corporal DONALD MACARTHUR
Son of Malcolm and Mary Macarthur
Last address in Lewis: 29 Breasclete
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7214
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 19
Died of wounds
Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, grave I. H. 28.
Local memorial: East Loch Roag, Callanish

Company Sergeant-Major MURDO MACGREGOR
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Macgregor, of 12c, Tolsta Choalais, Stornoway; husband of Marion Macgregor, of 255, Cumberland St., South Side, Glasgow.
Last address in Lewis: 12C Tolsta Chaolais
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 9314
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 30
Killed in action on the Somme at Beaumont Hamel
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Tolsta Chaolais
Decoration: Recommended for distinguished conduct in the Field, Oct., 1915
Went to France in August 1914, wounded in 1915

Private JOHN DUNCAN MACKAY
Son of Duncan and Mary Mackay; family later moved to 3 Caverstay.
Last address in Lewis: 8 Kershader
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/9777
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 19
Killed in action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Park, Kershader; Nicolson Institute WW1, left panel
Was a junior student at the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway before joining up

Private WILLIAM J MACKAY
Son of Mrs. Catherine MacKay, of Upper Adabrock, Port of Ness, Stornaway.
Last address in Lewis: 20 Adabrock
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7382
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 19
Killed in action in France
Interred: Redan Ridge Cemetery no 1, Beaumont-Hamel, grave C.8
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Private EVANDER MACKENZIE
Last address in Lewis: 5 Upper Garrabost
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7455
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 19
Killed in action on the Somme
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Private WILLIAM MACKENZIE
Son of Kenneth and Ann MacKenzie, of 1, High Borve, Stornoway.
Last address in Lewis: 1A Mid Borve
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7371
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 19
Killed in action
Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, grave I. H. 27
Local memorial: North Lewis, Borve
Had previously been wounded

Private ALEX MACLEOD
Son of Angus and Margaret Macleod, of 30, Garrabost, Stornoway, Lewis.
Last address in Lewis: 30 Lower Garrabost
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/6940
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 23
Killed in action on the Somme
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)

Sergeant JOHN MACLEOD
Brother of K. Macleod, Esq., M.A., Rector, of Fortrose Academy, H. G. P. School, Fortrose, Ross-shire.
Last address in Lewis: 24 Tolsta Chaolais
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/8341
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 24
Killed in action on the Somme
Interred: Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps, grave I. H. 30
Local memorial: Tolsta Chaolais

Private MURDO MACLEOD
Son of Duncan and Annie McLeod, 65 Back, Stornoway.
Last address in Lewis: 65 Back
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7191
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 21
Killed in action
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: Back

Private ALEX MORRISON
Son of Kenneth Morrison, of 14, Eorsdale, Port-of-Ness, Stornoway, and the late Catherine Morrison
Last address in Lewis: 14 Eorodale
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7429
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 20
Killed in action on the Somme
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Private JOHN MORRISON
Last address in Lewis: 16 Skigersta
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7358
Date of death: 1 July 1916 at the age of 18
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross
Also mentioned on family gravestone in cemetery at Habost (Ness)

Private KENNETH SMITH
Last address in Lewis: 25 Leurbost
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 9079
Date of death: 1 July 1916
Killed in action on the Somme
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 15C
Local memorial: North Lochs, Crossbost
Was wounded twice previously