3 May 1917

The battalion becomes engaged in a heavy battle at Roeux

Zero hour 345 am when a heavy bombardment of enemy's position started, lasting for an hour. Barrage then crept forward very slowly. Bn left their trenches at 430 am being in support to the Household Battalion who were to capture the cemetery north of ROEUX. The R. Warwickshire Regt were on the left of HB and R Irish Fusiliers on left of Seaforths support to R. War Regt. 1st Somerset Light Infantry were on the right and were to capture village of ROEUX. On reaching BLUE line which was just west of DELBAR WOOD the Battalion moved to their right until left of each wave was opposite NW corner of DELBAR WOOD where a halt was made until ZERO+85 = 5.10 am, when they advanced to capture the RED line, east of DELBAR and HAUSA WOOD, immediately west of PLOUVAIN. This attack unfortunately failed owing to both flanks being held up with severe losses and later on the whole brigade line was forced to withdraw to original frontline. The Bn came back to CRETE trench. This was the position until dusk when the Battalion was sent to relieve the Household Battalion in CEYLON trench from its junction with CORONA trench, to its junction with COX trench. Coy S Major Fraser was in charge of the line as all officers taking part in these operations had become casualties. The Commanding Officers, Adjutant, Medical Officer and 3 other officers becoming casualties by the same shell. The Commanding Officer remained with the Batt until theh arrival of Major N. B. Orr from 1st line transport about 630 pm who then took command, being joined later on by 2 other officers from the divisional reinforcement ramp at SAVY.
During the night 3rd/4th May, the Bn held and improved the line while a working party of Irish Fusiliers endeavoured to estalibhs a line of posts from west edge of cemetery to a point in CORONA trench. The HB continued this line of posts southwards and also held the front line from munction of CORONA and CEYLON to junction of COX and front line. The Irish Fusiliers held the front line to the left of the HB.

Lewis casualties
Corporal DONALD MACAULAY
Last address in Lewis: 8 Havelock Court, Stornoway
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 1109
Date of death: 3 May 1917 at the age of 27
Killed in action in France
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Bay 8
Local memorial: Lewis War Memorial; Nicolson Institute WW1, left panel

Private ANGUS MACIVER
Son of Mr. and Mrs. MacIver, of 45, Lower Bayble, Stornoway.
Last address in Lewis: 45 Lower Bayble, Park
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 514
Date of death: 3 May 1917 at the age of 27
Killed in action at Roeux
Interred: Roeux British Cemetery, grave D. 38.
Local memorial: Point (Garrabost)
Also mentioned on family gravestone in cemetery at Eye

Corporal ALEX MACLEOD
Alasdair, Mac Choinnich Mhic Dhomhnaill Mhic Iain
Son of Kenneth and Mary McLeod, of 56, North Tolsta, Stornoway.
Last address in Lewis: 56 North Tolsta
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: S/9220
Date of death: 3 May 1917 at the age of 28
Killed in action
Interred: Roeux British Cemetery, grave A. 16.
Local memorial: North Tolsta
Also mentioned on family gravestone in cemetery at North Tolsta
Leaves a widow and 2 children. Resigned from Edinburgh Constabulary to join up after death of his brother Angus

Private DONALD SMITH
Son of Angus and Catherine Smith, of 23, South Bragar, Stornoway.
Last address in Lewis: 23 South Bragar
Military unit: 2nd Seaforth Highlanders
Service number: 3/7248
Date of death: 3 May 1917 at the age of 22
Killed in action in France
Interred: Roeux British Cemetery, grave C. 21
Local memorial: West Side, Bragar
Decoration: 1914 Star