Neil Mackenzie, Urgha

Stornoway Gazette, 26 September 1941
Much regret was occasioned locally by the sad news received at the beginning of last week by the relatives of Private Neil Mackenzie, Camerons, Urgha, Harris, that died in hospital on 18th August 1941. Neil was with the other local lads in the fighting on the Somme in May and June 1940. He was severely wounded on 4 June, and admitted to hospital in occupied France on 13th June, 1940. He wrote home from hospital, the last letter from him being written in July, and he did not then complain of his condition. This letter reached his wife in November 1940, and since then, apart from an intimation from the War Office that he had been admitted to hospital on the above mentioned date, no information was received about him. In these circumstances, his relatives were anxious about his fate. The news of Neil's death came as a great blow to his wife, who is left with one child, and to his mother, now getting up in years. The deceased was the youngest son of the late Samuel Mackenzie, Urgha. He would have been 28 years of age in October. A bright, active and cheerful young man, he was much liked by all who knew him. He was of a most kind and sympathetic disposition and could win friends anywhere. His death came as a great shock to the whole community, especially as hope had always been entertained that he was safe. Much sympathy is felt for his wife and mother.