Stornoway Gazette, 30 May 1941
Yet once more cold, hard and ruthless, the Angel of Death has descended upon us and taken from our midst one whom we knew and loved. It is not easy to reconcile ourselves to the Fate which robs us of the playmates of our childhood, the companions of our youth, and leaves us with only shattered dreams and frustrated hopes. It is natural that in our grief we yearn for those other days when we were all growing up together in happy harmony, strangers to anguish and sorrow, with minds immature and free from those problems which now confront a world gone mad. As we look down the vista of the years, in silent retrospect, we can still see bright, eager faces aglow with the light of enthusiasm and the spirit of adventure. We cann still hear the echo of merry laughter and sunny son, true symbols of gay, irresponsible youth. But the scene has changed and laughter has given place to tears, tears shed for those brave young boys who have dared the periols of land and sea and air, and sacrificed their lives on the altar of honour and freedom. Among those from this district who have recently died for King and country is Danny Nicolson, elder son of Mr and Mrs John Murdo Nicolson, 11 New Holdings, Leurbost. News of his death came with staggering suddenness on Tuesday evening, May 13th, and it was not long before the whole village knew the sad tidings. Danny, who was a keen, intelligent lad, was a pupil at the Nicolson Institute for a session. He joined the Royal Naval Reserve at 18 and was one of the lads to volunteer for the Review in July before the outbreak of war. From that time, August of last year, he served on that destroyer, Witherington, and was often in the heat of things to and from Narvik during the Norwegian campaign. In August we saw him for the last time when he was home on draft leave. From then until the time of his death, he served in the auxiliary cruiser "Camila". Danny Nicolson was 21 years of age and a truer specimen of young manhood it would be difficult to see. Tall, handsome and well built, he was fond of sport and was a very popular member of the Leurbost football eleven. Our first recollections of him are those of a little lad full of boyish pranks and mischief. He grew up like that, the very embodiment of the spirit of youth, with a light charm and gaiety of manner that was wholly irresistible. His high spirits were so infectious that no matter how dull the company in which he found himself, he soon had everyone laughing with his witty sallies and gay banter. The horrors of war, however, wrought in him a very noticeable change. When last we saw him we could hardly recognise in this grave young man the frivolous boy of old. The momentous issues of life with which he was faced and the vital struggle in which he was playing an active part had made a deep impression on him. To us it seems incredible that one so young and strong should have been called from among us into the great unknown, where no loved one's voice will ever reach him, whence no beckoning hand can ever lure him back, and because we shall miss him, with those who have gone before, his image will live in our hearts forever and his name we shall not forget. To his sorrowing parents, brother and sisters, we offer our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of a devoted son and brother.
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