NESS NEWS - 9 Feb 1917
No Place Like Home

We are pleased to see Donald Campbell, John Campbell, and Finlay Macleod, all of Lionel, and John MacRitchie, Swainbost, home on leave from Holland, where they have been interned since the fall of Antwerp, Their enforced stay in Holland is not to their liking, and they are longing for an opportunity of taking a more active part in the defence of their country. It is to be hoped that the change of diet from black bread and horseflesh to the wholesome home fare will do them much good, and strengthen them to withstand the heavy strain of captivity in a foreign land.We are pleased to see Donald Campbell, John Campbell, and Finlay Macleod, all of Lionel, and John MacRitchie, Swainbost, home on leave from Holland, where they have been interned since the fall of Antwerp, Their enforced stay in Holland is not to their liking, and they are longing for an opportunity of taking a more active part in the defence of their country. It is to be hoped that the change of diet from black bread and horseflesh to the wholesome home fare will do them much good, and strengthen them to withstand the heavy strain of captivity in a foreign land.

NESS NEWS - 10 MAY 1918
Prisoners in Germany

From such sad reports it is a pleasure to have to report the safety of Kenneth Morrison, 22 Lionel, son of Johnnie Mac Alasdair. Kenneth who is quite a youth, was sailing on the SS "Wordsworth". This steamer left Colombo in the company of several others a year last March, and no trace of any of them was ever found until the raider "Wolfe" arrived in Germany. Kenneth's steamer was one of the victims but unfortunately he was taken into Germany along with the rest of the crew, which includes a lad from Bragar. There was a letter from Kenneth last week saying both of them were well. Of course, his family had given him up for lost a year ago. Their happiness in getting such good news is shared by all in the district.

NESS NEWS - 13 July 1917
Ness man with the French Army gets the Croix de Guerre

Mr Murdo Macaulay of Swainbost, who is serving with the French Army, has been awarded the Croix de Guerre. Mr. Macaulay came from Rhodesia to do his bit. He was engaged in the gold mining industry for many years, but latterly went in for cattle ranching on an exclusive scale. All this he left to overseers and, arriving in England, offered his services to the British Government. He was over military age, but being determined to take share in the struggle, he crossed over to France and offered himself for service in the French Army, gratus. He was appointed to the Motor Transport Service. It was when engaged in taking down wounded from the firing line that he performed deeds that won him the coveted Croix. A German shell struck his car, smashing it to atoms and burying him in the debris. Although much shaken, dazed and bleeding, he made desperate and successful attempts to get the wounded away under cover from the bombardment. He is now in hospital and making a good recovery. The Division General of the 7th Army visited him in hospital some days ago and pinned the decoration on his breast with his own hands, at the same time thanking him on behalf of the French Army for his brave conduct.

This is not the first time Mr. Macaulay fought for the honour of the Old Country. Shortly after his arrival in Rhodesia he had to shoulder the rifle. The Matabele Rebellion broke out almost as soon as he arrived there and he went through that campaign, which was by no means a picnic! We wish him a quick recovery and the best of luck.

NESS NEWS - 23 Nov 1923
Galson Farm To
Be Broken Up

On Wednesday and Thursday of last week the Board of Agriculture held a sale of the remaining portion of the sheep stock, cattle and horses on this farm. We understand the prices obtained were fairly good, although not in any way near those got at the valuation of stock etc., between the tenant and the Board.

The Board, we understand, have issued notices to the prospective applicants to meet a sub-commissioner of small holdings at the farm on Monday 19th, to be interviewed with a view to taking up the holdings which have been pegged out since last September.

It will be interesting to know when the would-be applicants, some of whom are in the colonies and elsewhere, are likely to settle on the farm and commence cultivation. If the holdings which are marked out are occupied by smallholders, it is to be hoped that the settlement will prove a success, and not meet the fate of other settlements recently formed in Lewis, some of the occupants of which evacuated their crofts, while others are in receipt of parochial relief.

Seeing that the crofts this season throughout Lewis have ended in dire disaster, should it not be only fair to ask that the Board of Agriculture grant the settlers, if they occupy their holdings this spring, a supply of seed in the shape of grain and potatoes to enable them to cultivate same. This year it is regrettable that not enough grain has been grown throughout the whole Island of Lewis to feed the poultry owned by crofters and others, let alone be used for seeding operations.