Roderick Maclennan, 1 Tong

Stornoway Gazette, 3 May 1940
It was with genuine regret that we learned on Saturday 27 April of the death of Petty Officer Roderick Maclennan, son oof Mr and Mrs Alex Maclennan, 1 Tong . He is the first fatal casualty of the war from the village, and, being the sole member of the family, his death seems doubly tragic. So far, there are no details to hand as to how he met his death. "Ruaraidh" was an exceptional character, who, from his boyhood upwards, had a sobering and steadying influence on whatever company he frequented. His school records show that he was well above the average in intelligence and that he took full advantage of his opportunities. From an early age, he showed a keen inclination for a seafaring career, with the result that after leaving school he attended evening classes in navigation under the late Mr John Gunn. He left home to become a sailor and having sailed before the mast for some years, he sat the Board of Trade examination and was successful in gaining his mate's certificate. For some time he sailed as an officer, but unavoidable circumstances forced him to take a shore appointment, much against his will. On the outbreak of war, he was called up as a Royal Naval Reservist, and for some months was an instructor at a naval barracks in the South. But he preferred life afloat to barrack routine, so he was transferred to a cruiser some months ago. Our sincerest sympathy goes out in this hour of sorrow and affliction, to his sorrowing widow, a Harris lady, to his father, mother, and relatives at home and abroad, in the loss of a loving husband and dutiful son of whom anyone might feel rightly proud.