Author Archives: Archivist (Editor)

This afternoon Angus Macphail has been in to see us. He was asking for you all. He is still busy “coelum servans”. They send up little balloons and measure the direction and strength of the wind at different heights. This is done hourly and the results are passed on to the airmen. He thinks he may soon be sent out to Italy… Stornoway, 26th May. 1918

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson has been out sailing in his little boat the “Naughty Lass” this week and is keen to share the details with Jean. The Gibson’s have also had a visit from a local lad currently home on leave and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on This afternoon Angus Macphail has been in to see us. He was asking for you all. He is still busy “coelum servans”. They send up little balloons and measure the direction and strength of the wind at different heights. This is done hourly and the results are passed on to the airmen. He thinks he may soon be sent out to Italy… Stornoway, 26th May. 1918

Today Rudland and some of the school-boys brought the “Naughty Lass” up to the back garden, opposite the kitchen window. Papa proposes getting her painted and ready for sea. We want to try the fishing and in any case it will be nice to be able to get afloat now and again. In the evenings I am too tired to go walking and this would be better. So you will get a chance of developing your muscle when you come home. Also Maud – tell her… Stornoway, 16th May. 1918

Posted on May 27, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

In her letter to Jean this week, Mrs Gibson talks of the “Naughty Lass”, a boat that the Gibson’s are aiming to re-paint and take out fishing, and another teacher has left the Nicolson this week too, amidst a flurry … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Today Rudland and some of the school-boys brought the “Naughty Lass” up to the back garden, opposite the kitchen window. Papa proposes getting her painted and ready for sea. We want to try the fishing and in any case it will be nice to be able to get afloat now and again. In the evenings I am too tired to go walking and this would be better. So you will get a chance of developing your muscle when you come home. Also Maud – tell her… Stornoway, 16th May. 1918

Did I tell you last week that Neil Macdonald (Fifth of 1914) the lad from Balallan who got the Mil. Cross about a year ago, was rumoured as having been killed. I am sorry to say it is officially confirmed. This morning also news came that Ian Macdonald, the younger of the C. E.’s sons, has been killed. People whose sons are out are having a time of great anxiety… Stornoway, 12th May. 1918

Posted on May 20, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Spring is well under way in Stornoway this week, and Mr Gibson has much in the way of local news for Jean, particularly regarding his vegetable growing successes. Sadly, he also has some bad news concerning more local lads who … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Did I tell you last week that Neil Macdonald (Fifth of 1914) the lad from Balallan who got the Mil. Cross about a year ago, was rumoured as having been killed. I am sorry to say it is officially confirmed. This morning also news came that Ian Macdonald, the younger of the C. E.’s sons, has been killed. People whose sons are out are having a time of great anxiety… Stornoway, 12th May. 1918

W. J. Clarke came in and we then got away and went in to Miss Fraser’s. We had heard that she had been at our door one day when you were at home… Since then she has been seriously ill with a very bad heart attack, and Dr. Mackenzie in attendance… She is now up and about again but does not seem as far as we could judge to be much better than when she went to the country. Poor Miss Fraser! it is very sad to see her so unlike herself. Write her a nice letter one of these days when you are at leisure, and be watching the shops to see if there is any little thing you could send her… Stornoway, 9th May. 1918

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs Gibson writes to Jean this week with news regarding the ill-health of a local lady, the current state of rationing in the Gibson household and the promotion of a local lad to Major. The next in our series of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on W. J. Clarke came in and we then got away and went in to Miss Fraser’s. We had heard that she had been at our door one day when you were at home… Since then she has been seriously ill with a very bad heart attack, and Dr. Mackenzie in attendance… She is now up and about again but does not seem as far as we could judge to be much better than when she went to the country. Poor Miss Fraser! it is very sad to see her so unlike herself. Write her a nice letter one of these days when you are at leisure, and be watching the shops to see if there is any little thing you could send her… Stornoway, 9th May. 1918

I don’t know whether you heard that they had prizes in Story. in connection with the War Savings Certifs., and among the 16,000 numbers from which they drew one of the successful one is one of your certificates. This will entitle you to one £1 certif., which I shall duly claim one of these days for you… Stornoway, 5th May. 1918.

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

This week, Mr Gibson updates Jean on their visitors over the past few days and has news regarding a new teacher starting at the Nicolson. There is also an interesting reference to Jean and her War Savings Certificate. This was … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on I don’t know whether you heard that they had prizes in Story. in connection with the War Savings Certifs., and among the 16,000 numbers from which they drew one of the successful one is one of your certificates. This will entitle you to one £1 certif., which I shall duly claim one of these days for you… Stornoway, 5th May. 1918.

Mr. Maciver, Tong, came in the other evening to tell us that Frank was in hospital at Tonbridge Wells – gassed. They had heard twice from the hospital about him but that day they had had a short note from himself. Mr. Maciver’s mother was buried on Tuesday. Her heart had been very bad for a long time… Stornoway, 2nd May. 1918

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

This week’s news from Mrs Gibson to Jean includes some of the activities her and Mr Gibson have undertaken, as well as various encounters with friends and acquaintances throughout the week. She also has some updates from a few local … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Mr. Maciver, Tong, came in the other evening to tell us that Frank was in hospital at Tonbridge Wells – gassed. They had heard twice from the hospital about him but that day they had had a short note from himself. Mr. Maciver’s mother was buried on Tuesday. Her heart had been very bad for a long time… Stornoway, 2nd May. 1918

Mamma has already told you the sad news of John Munro’s death. Lachlan Macleod of the 1914 class had been reported missing and was believed killed, but word has come that he is a prisoner of war. Terrible fighting is still going on, and folk who have boys in it are very anxious. Roddie Fraser has already been in the front line. Mr. Jas. P. Anderson is wounded and in hospital at Stockport. It is in the leg, not bad, he says & he expects to be soon sent out again… Stornoway, 28th April. 1918

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

In his letter to Jean this week, Mr Gibson has further sad news regarding the local lads away at war, including news that one lad has been taken captive as a prisoner of war. He also, interestingly, explains his potato … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Mamma has already told you the sad news of John Munro’s death. Lachlan Macleod of the 1914 class had been reported missing and was believed killed, but word has come that he is a prisoner of war. Terrible fighting is still going on, and folk who have boys in it are very anxious. Roddie Fraser has already been in the front line. Mr. Jas. P. Anderson is wounded and in hospital at Stockport. It is in the leg, not bad, he says & he expects to be soon sent out again… Stornoway, 28th April. 1918

You will be very sorry I know to hear that John Munro was killed on the 16th. April. Papa and I both feel it very much as John had endeared himself to us both. He was here last January I think. Angus Smith, John’s (Mc.D’s) brother was in school today. He was wounded in the great battle… He managed to destroy his gun by throwing it into a shell-hole and a bomb after it. Then he had to fight his way out. He still has shrapnel in his back… Stornoway, 25th April. 1918

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Dear Sheann, Your letter came this morning and we were interested to hear of all your doings.  We too hope you wont need to take the Nat. Phil. Class. That would be a pity! John Macdonald from Salonika has just … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on You will be very sorry I know to hear that John Munro was killed on the 16th. April. Papa and I both feel it very much as John had endeared himself to us both. He was here last January I think. Angus Smith, John’s (Mc.D’s) brother was in school today. He was wounded in the great battle… He managed to destroy his gun by throwing it into a shell-hole and a bomb after it. Then he had to fight his way out. He still has shrapnel in his back… Stornoway, 25th April. 1918

There has been word of some more of the boys – Angus Bain is reported as severely wounded, Alex. Graham has been wounded in the head a second time, Malcolm Macleod, Steinish, has been killed and also Aleck Nicolson, the boy who used to be with us from Skye… Stornoway, 21st April. 1918

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson has troubling news this week regarding some of the local lads away at war. He also reports on his potato patch at the manse garden and the allotment, and he also shares what appears to be his own … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on There has been word of some more of the boys – Angus Bain is reported as severely wounded, Alex. Graham has been wounded in the head a second time, Malcolm Macleod, Steinish, has been killed and also Aleck Nicolson, the boy who used to be with us from Skye… Stornoway, 21st April. 1918

I have been busy in the evenings digging and have not found time to send off your P.O. book until to-night. Mamma has been busy with housework, including ironing, etc. My patch of glebe is getting on well; also Mr. Ewen’s; the school allottment [sic] not so well… Stornoway, 19th April. 1918

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

In his short letter to Jean this week, Mr Gibson remarks on the school allotment and his ‘patch’ at the glebe, as well as an interesting mention of how much Lewis raised for the War Week Loan. The next in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on I have been busy in the evenings digging and have not found time to send off your P.O. book until to-night. Mamma has been busy with housework, including ironing, etc. My patch of glebe is getting on well; also Mr. Ewen’s; the school allottment [sic] not so well… Stornoway, 19th April. 1918