HMS Vandyck

Stornoway Gazette, 26 July 1940 
There were five Lewismen on board HMS Vandyck which the Admiralty reported last week had been sunk by an air attack off the coast of Norway on 10th June. The Vandyck was employed as a naval auxiliary. Two officers and five ratings were killed, and 29 officers and 132 ratings are prisoners of war.

Of the Lewismen aboard, George Morrison, 13 South Bragar, is reported killed, while the remaining four - Donald Murray, 1 New Shawbost; Angus Macdonald, 30 Lower Shader; Donald Macdonald, 28 Lower Shader and Angus Mackay, Galson are reported prisoners of war. Donald Murray is reported to have been slightly wounded.

A letter has been received from Angus Macdonald. It was much mutilated by the German censor, and no address is giv en but Macdonald's handwriting is recognisable. The letter states that all the Stornoway lads along with him are well. This information is slightly at variance with the Admiralty report that George Morrison, Bragar, was among the ratings killed, but Macdonald may have been referring only to those who were prisoners with him when he stated that they were all well. The communique says: "The delay in announcing the loss is due to difficulty in obtaining information regarding the prisoners of war for communication to next of kin".

HMS Vandyck, 13000 tons, was formerly a cruising liner and in peacetime carried thousands of holidaymakers to the Atlantic islands and the African coast. She had accommodation for about 400 passengers. She was owned by the Lamport and Holt Line Ltd who fitted her as a cruising liner seven years ago. She was given a new cabins, renovated public rooms and state rooms and two open air swimming baths.