17 December 1943
Determined to reach his depot before his ship left for sea, CPO Donald Maciver, RNR, of 6 Seaforth Road, Stornoway, decided to travel although he had been lying ill in bed for a week. His relatives advised him strongly to see a doctor, but he declined and left home in the early hours of Saturday morning to go aboard the "Lochness". Before she sailed, he collapsed and died. He was sitting smoking a cigarette, apparently quite normally, but just after he had thrown the stub away an airman noticed that there was something wrong. Within a few minutes, Maciver was dead.
CPO Maciver, who was 35 years of age, was a son of the late Mr and Mrs Roderick Maciver, formerly of 25 Swordale. He was sailing in the merchant service for many years before the war, and also worked as a docker and fisherman. He had completed his term of service with the Royal Naval Reserve before the outbreak of war, but within a fortnight of the commencement of hostilities he voluntarily rejoined. He saw some very hard service afloat. For two years, he was on a minesweeper, and he sailed with the famous Russian convoy about two years ago which was dive-bombed continuously for many days, and suffered severe losses. As the manner of his death shows, he was exceedingly conscientious and had a high conception of his duties.
He is survived by two brothers, one with the Canadian Navy, and one in the Merchant Service. His only sister lives at home with their aunt. To all the relatives deep sympathy is extended in their sudden bereavement.
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