The War Memorials of Stornoway , Lewis and Tarbert , Harris. Outer Hebrides
by Eric Hunter
World War I has left an indelible mark on these islands. The population of Lewis prior to WW1 was roughly 30 000, of those nearly 7000 men joined up.1,151 died during the conflict 17% In terms of percentages. Lewis had lost twice as may men as other parts of Britain
To amplify the loss to the community , the wrecking of the troop ship Iolaire on 1st January 1919 bringing home demobbed sailors compounded the communities grief.
Subsequently, although hostilities for the First World War ended on 11 November 1918, the war is held to have ended in 1919 in Lewis and Harris because of a large loss of life right at the start of that year.
The Stornoway War Memorial dominates the town. Situated on 300 foot hill known as Cnoc nan Uan it stands imperious a constant reminder to this communities loss. Made of local stone it stands 84 feet tall and resembles a Scottish Castle. Visitors were able to climb the stairs inside the tower to four chambers which represented the parishes of the island. Brass plaques commemorating all the dead of the lined the walls of the chambers. Unfortunately the ravages of the Hebridean weather have taken their toll and it is unsafe now to climb the tower. 22 large rocks making an uncomplete circle now stand guard at the base of the tower. Each stone has the names of the fallen from both World Wars.
The memorial is impressive and still seems to have an aura of the grief felt by this tight knitted community.
The War Memorial at Tarbert , the main town of Harris is designed on similar lines in that
The names on the list are ordered by the village from which the men last departed the island. There is no complete list of casualties, originating from the Isle of Harris. Many lived away from the island by the time they joined up, whether it be elsewhere in the United Kingdom or overseas. Any reference to these men would have pointed to their last residence, with no obvious link to the island.
The memorial stands in a dominant position at the junction of the High Street and the road leading to the Harbour.
