John Roderick Innis, 1 Newton Street, Stornoway

Stornoway Gazette, 9 January 1942
We regret to record the death, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor accident, of Cpl John Roderick Innis, Cameron Highlanders, younger son of Mrs Innis, 1 Newton Street, Stornoway. On Wednesday night of last week, Cpl Innis was involved in a motor accident in England. His injuries were serious and his mother and brother left home immediately for the Hospital where he was being attended. On Friday evening, some hours before they could reach his bedside, he passed away at the early age of 23½ years.
John Roddy was a fine, upstanding fellow of splendid physique, handsome features and pleasant manner. He carried his Cameron kilt with an easy grace. Affable, capable and obliging, he was deservedly popular with those who knew him.
Before he joined the Army, he had been a Petty Officer in the Sea Cade Corps, He liked the Army and intended to make it his profession. Quite recently he sent home to Stornoway a number of cups and trophies which he had won for athletics.
In St Peter's Church on Sunday evening, Canon Meadon, preaching from the text "There is but a step between me and death", referred to the great affection in which John Roderick was held, his sterling character and the sense of loss which all who knew him feel.
Deep sympathy is felt for Mrs Innis and the other members of the family in their loss.

Stornoway Gazette, 16 January 1942
On Thursday of last week, a very large gathering assembled at St Peter's Church for the funeral fo the late Cpl John Roderick Innis. The building was crowded to the utmost capacity and there must have been some hundreds of people who were unable to gain admission. The service opened with the hymn "Abide with me" and after the usual burial office had been said, it closed with "Let Saints on Earth". The coffin, draped with the Union Jack, was carried out of the church by Highlanders of the regiment to which the deceased soldier belonged, and on its way to the cemetery, was completely covered and surrounded by the numerous floral tributes sent by relatives friends and comrades. After the coffin came the car with Canon Meaden and the officer in command of the military contingent, followed by another with the bearers and others from the unit, and a contingent of the Stornoway Sea Cadet Corps in which Cpl Innis was formerly a Petty Officer. Following the official parties came the relatives and other mourners, a long, sad procession bearing ample testimony to the deep sympathy felt for Mrs Innis and the family in their tragic loss. After the service at the graveside the Last Post was sounded and the Flowers of the Forest played by a piper, the Army authorities and the RAF thus doing everything possible to mark their respect for a deceased comrade.

Stornoway Gazette, 30 January 1942
Cpl John Roderick Innis, Cameron Highlanders of 1 Newton Street, Stornoway, was killed in a motor accident in England last month. At the Battalion Sports the previous autumn he won two cups and a pewter mug and a silver pencil for running. He had not entered for the Sports but volunteered when it was found that they were some men short. He was buried at Sandwick Cemetery with military honours.

News of the tragic death ofo Cpl John Roderick Innis, Cameron Highlanders, of 1 Newton Street, Stornoway, at the early age of 23 years, has come as a great shock and a stunning blow to his many friends. It is with deep sorrow in our hearts and a sense of irreparable loss that we, who were privileged to know him more intimately than many, through his great friendship with our son, now a prisoner of war in Germany, endeavour to pay a last humble tribute to his memory.
One might go far to see a more pleasing specimen of young manhood than John Roddy and we shall never forget him as we last saw him, a splendid, handsome figure in his soldier's uniform. It was, however, his fine traits of character, together with a very attractive personality and lovable nature, that won for him a unique place in our hearts and which made him so popular with everyone with whom he came into contact.
Death has indeed robbed us of a trusted and respected friend, and when others come and go and we in vain look for his ready smile and listen for his well known voice, we are glad that we still have our memories to dwell on those sweet and fragrant memories which shall grow old with ourselves but which the massage of time shall never blot out.