Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has today confirmed that a service will be held on Saturday 21st September 2024 to mark 100 years since the unveiling of the Lewis War Memorial.
Following the 1914 – 1918 war and the tragedy of the Iolaire disaster on New Year’s Day 1919, a public meeting was held in Stornoway in January 1920 in order to perpetuate the memory of the 1,151 Lewis men who had made the ultimate sacrifice. The Proprietor of the island at the time, Lord Leverhulme, was elected Chairman of an Appeals Committee, with joint secretaries George Macleod and Colin J. Maciver and Honorary Treasurers, Kenneth Mackenzie and John Macritchie Morrison.
From January to July 1920 the pages of the Stornoway Gazette carried advertisements appealing for subscriptions towards the building costs of a suitable memorial anticipated to cost at least £10,000 but probably closer to £20,000. The response was overwhelming and by May 1923 there had been a competition for the design of the memorial, won by Mr J.H Gall from Inverness. The work, which at that time did not include the mounting of 16 bronze plaques representing the four parishes of Lewis, was completed by August 1924. The total cost of £4,000 transpired to be much more modest than initially expected and on Friday 24th September 1924, in perfect weather conditions, over two thousand people witnessed the unveiling of the Memorial by Lord Leverhulme.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Convener, Cllr Kenneth Macleod, said:
“It is important that we mark important events in our history, such as the centenary of the Lewis War Memorial. The Comhairle is aware that community organisations may very well hold records, historical documents, photos and information relating to the War Memorial and we would encourage anyone with anything of interest to contact us via the Comhairle’s Archive service to share information about what they have.
“The service on 21st September will give us all an opportunity to gather to reflect and to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice serving our country.”
Further details of the service will be provided nearer the time and those with any historical information regarding the Memorial are encouraged to contact the Comhairle’s Archive service: archives@cne-siar.gov.uk