Sinking of the James Ludford

Stornoway Gazette, 22 December 1939
Three Lewis Lads Feared Drowned
There were three Lewismen on the trawler "James Ludford" which sank last week after striking a mine. The two officers and 15 men are officially missing, believed drowned.
The Lewis members of the crew were Malcolm Graham, Church Street, Borve; Alexander Matheson, 26 Brue; and Alexander Crichton, 15 Eagletown, Bayble.

Malcolm Graham, who was a son of the late John Graham, was about 38 years of age. He married two years ago and is survived by his wife and one child. He has been sailing for the past 11 or 12 years. A very popular man in the district, he was a splendid physical specimen, thickset and powerful, outstanding even in a district noted for its strong men.

Alexander Matheson, 26 Brue, is a son of the late Norman Matheson. About the same age as Malcolm Graham, he was unmarried.

Alexander Nicolson, 15 Eagleton, is a couson of Murdo Nicolson, 3 Marybank, who is missing from the Rawalpindi. Crichton was home on leave only 10 days before the sinking of the "James Ludford". Both his brothers are on active service; Nicolson's three brothers are also on active service.

Since the outbreak of war, 19 Lewismen and 1 Harrisman have been reported lost or missing - all of them at sea.