Donald Macdonald, DSM

Donald Macdonald, Domhnall a Ghreusaich, (1881-1940) was the son of Donald Macdonald, the shoemaker in Geshader, Uig, Isle of Lewis. He was in the RNR, ON 4254 SD and was mentioned in Dispatches in March 1919 and awarded the Distinguished Service Medal as a result of an incident in the Channel. He was a mate aboard a minesweeper trawler engaged in clearing WW1 mines from the Channel when a one exploded. The explosion demolished the wheelhouse windows. The skipper was blinded and injured by the blast and was unable to continue in command. Donald took charge of the vessel and returned it safely to port. See also his certificate.

The DSM was awarded for exemplary bravery and resourcefulness under fire at sea – now obsolete.

Domhnall married Peggy Maciver in 1920 and they moved to 3 Timsgarry in 1937. He died in 1940, and she in 1973.