Gallipoli ceremony in Stornoway

Wreaths have been laid in memory of island soldiers who served in the bitterly fought Gallipoli campaign of World War I.

Following a service in Martin’s Memorial Church, a parade - led by Lewis Pipeband - followed a route through Stornoway town centre.

A wreath-laying ceremony at the drill hall war memorial and a two-minute silence was held at the Territorial Army Drill Hall in Church Street.

Ceremony held to mark islanders’ role in Gallipoli battle

26 April 2015

The Ross Mountain Battery - mainly men from Lewis - were amongst the first to storm the shores at Cape Helles on the Gallipoli Peninsula, on the north side of the Dardenelles seaway.

There, the Allies took on the Turks in an attempt to secure a shipping lane through the Dardenelles Strait - on the eastern side of the Mediterranean - to get supplies to Russia - then a British ally.

British and French troops plus Australian and New Zealand soldiers embarked on a major land invasion in April 1915.

Islanders also fought in other units in the campaign - in the Lovat Scouts, the Scottish Horse and the Royal Naval Division. In addition, many island-born men served with the Australian and New Zealand troops.

The Ross Mountain Battery consisted mainly of Lewis soldiers who left the island on August 7, 1914. Many were teenagers, barely 16 years old when they were thrust into the conflict. Some were only 15 years, having lied about their age to join up. Most of those who survived did not to return home until April 1919, some five years later.

Descendents of the servicemen joined representatives of the army, navy, RAF and Western Isles Council as well as the local army cadets and senior pupils from the Nicolson Institute in paying tribute.

► Photos: Gallipoli 100th anniversary remembered in Stornoway