38340: Lewismen interned in the Netherlands, First World War
In October 1914, the First Royal Naval Brigade (mostly naval reservists scarcely retrained as infantrymen) had been fighting in defence of Antwerp in Belgium and, cut off in their retreat, 1500 men crossed into the Netherlands to avoid being taken prisoner of war by the Germans. The men, including many from Lewis, were interned at Groningen for the duration of the war, in conditions that left them nearly starving but also allowed them home leave. The camp was known as English Camp or HMS Timbertown.
Known internees from Lewis include:
Angus Maciver, 7 Breaclete
Kenneth Macaulay, 12 Kirkibost
Angus Macinnes, 20 Kirkibost
Angus Macdonald, 13 Tobson
John Macdonald, 24a Tobson
Donald Macdonald, 16 Tobson
Norman Macdonald, 15 Hacklete
Angus Macleod, 10 Portnaguran (released home where he died 1916)
John Smith, 6 Lower Bayble (died Groningen 1917)
The North Tolsta Historical Society website has information about fifteen of men from Tolsta interned in the Netherlands. They were:
John Macdonald, 1 North Tolsta
Alex Maciver, 4 North Tolsta
Torquil Macdonald, 9 North Tolsta
Angus Maciver, 11 North Tolsta
Donald Campbell, 13 North Tolsta
Angus Morrison, 15 North Tolsta
Angus Mackay, 16 North Tolsta
Donald Maclennan, 35 North Tolsta
John Macritchie, 40 North Tolsta
John Macleod, 45 North Tolsta
William Macdonald, 51 North Tolsta (brothers)
Angus Macdonald, 51 North Tolsta (brothers)
Norman Smith, 55 North Tolsta
John Maciver, 62 North Tolsta
John Macmillan, 4 Glen Tolsta
Murdo Maciver, 32 Lionel
Donald Campbell, 37 Lionel
Norman Macdonald, 17 Eoropie (drowned 1917)
John Macritchie, 38 Swainbost
Donald Macleod, 4 Gearrannan (died Groningen 1916)
Kenneth Nicolson, 1 Crowlista
Angus Macdonald, 3 Geshader
Malcolm Buchanan, 11 Brenish
Murdo Buchanan, 27 Brenish
Norman Macritchie, 9 Aird
Donald Morrison, 5 Valtos
John Macleod, 12 Valtos
Angus Macaulay, 23 Valtos
James Morrison, 27 Valtos
Donald Maclennan, 36 Cliff
Donald Morrison, 5 Valtos
Neil Mackay 7 Crowlista
Angus Morrison, 10 Islivig
John Mackenzie, 13 Grimshader
Allan Mackenzie, 13b Grimshader (escaped)
Neil Macaulay, 41 Ranish
Ebenezer Macdonald, Ranish
Angus Mackay, 12 Keose
Peter Macleod, 27 Lower Barvas
Donald Murray, 47 Lower Barvas
Norman Macdonald, 25 Upper Shader
John Macleay, 28 Lower Shader (died Groningen 1915)
Angus Macleod, 22 Upper Barvas
Angus Campbell, 11a Marvig
Donald Macleod, 8 Calbost
Donald Macleod, 13 Lemreway
Farquhar Mackinnon, 3 Caverstay
Murdo Macdonald, 23 Cromore
Murdo Macleod, 9 Cromore
Murdo Smith, 6 Marvig
Malcolm Nicolson, 27 Lemreway
Norman Chisholm, 16 Gravir
More information is available on the website created by Menno Wielinga and Guido Blokland.
Details
- Record Type:
- Historical Event
- Date / From:
- 11 Oct 1914
- Type Of Event:
- Other Military
- Record Maintained by:
- HC
Related Media
Internees in the Netherlands