The SS Metagama Also Came Back

We have been commemorating the centenary of that most historic day, 21st April 1923, when the SS Metagama, the huge liner which came to take 260 mostly young men and women away from their homes in Lewis. 

I have been thinking and reflecting on what it must have been really like for our community of that time still struggling to come to terms with the tragic impact of the losses and effects of The Great War and HMY Iolaire. 

There would, no doubt, have been a great amount of excitement and anticipation amongst the young people embarking on such a new future, and an equal amount of sadness and sense of loss amongst those they were leaving behind. There would also have been a tender understanding by the older generations of the oppertunity that might be offered by such a departure. Every emotion of migration would have been expressed. An event of such a scale would have had a huge and imediate impact on the community, the effects of which could only be long lasting. I have been thinking and reflecting on its effects on that community and indeed on my own family and relatives. Through some research a very sad and poignant story was revealed and I would now like to tell it.

SS Metagama did not just sail from Scotland to Canada. She also made return voyages across the Atlantic. On the 3rd June 1922, my great-aunt, Mary Rennick (nee) MacLeod, departed Montreal in Canada on board the SS Metagama. She was the sister of my maternal grandfather Kenneth Macleod. Mary was headed back to Scotland to visit her family, but would never return to Canada. On 31st December 1923, she passed away at 1 Dalbeg.

Mary was born on 10th June 1896 at 50 North Shawbost, the eldest daughter of Malcolm MacLeod (Calum, Dhòmhnall, 'ic Mhurchaid / Buicean) and Kennethina Murray (Ceanag, Aonghais, Choinnich, Aonghais Gobha). After war ended in 1918, Mary met an American serviceman, Private George William Rennick. The pair married on 6th May 1919 in Glasgow. The ceremony was performed at 19 Howard Street, warranted by the Sheriff Substitute of Lanarkshire, in the presence of Police Constable Roderick Smith and domestic servant Effie MacKay. George was a chauffeur in civilian life,the son of Harry Rennick (a fisherman, by then deceased) and Mary. His mother had remarried after his father died, and was by that time Mrs Cooke.

Four months after their wedding, Mary and George left Scotland on 15th September 1919 and arrived at Detroit ten days later. They lived at 1264 Belvedere Avenue, Detroit, for nearly three years. By all accounts, Mary contracted TB and wanted to return to Scotland to visit her family.

Mary applied to the authorities in Washington DC for a new passport. On the application, dated 23rd May 1922, she declared that she was going abroad temporarily and would return within two years. The photograph with the passport application, as displayed at the top of this post, shows her looking unwell. It appears that she was suffering from tuberculosis since before leaving North America. 

I copy the description on her passport application:

Age:	22
Stature:	5 ft 2
Forehead:	Low
Eyes:	Brown
Nose:	Small
Mouth:	Small
Chin:	Narrow
Hair:	Dark brown
Complexion:	Light
Face:	Small
A small scar between the nostrils.

Mary departed Montreal for Greenock on board SS Metagama on 3rd June 1922. She then returned to Lewis, to be with her family.

All through my life I have heard of the truly sad story of this young relative of mine, whose voyage back home to Lewis could not have been sadder or unlike her peers'. Those young people who were so filled with excitement and expectation, as they gathered, in Stornoway. Then got ready to set off to board the same SS Metagama to cross the Atlantic to Canada. That day exactly one century ago. By contrast, Mary’s story was very different.

As I researched her short life, it became clear that her experience in North America was far from a happy one. That return home, on her own, to her family, would be marked by tradgedy and grief. Both Mary and a younger sister Margaret Ann (“Maggie Ann”or “Peggi Ann”) were ill with TB. Their illnesses were apparently, unconnected and contracted at different times. Then for nearly a year the sisters nursed each other at their family home, at 1 Dalbeg. At that time people referred to the extremely moving and sad scene of the two beautiful sisters caring for each other there. The family had moved from North Shawbost, early in 1922, it was evidently not to be a happy home. Maggie Ann passed away on 11th May 1923, she was twenty-one years old. Mary passed away seven months later on 31st December 1923, she was twenty-seven years old.

In the next decades, Mary and Margaret Ann’s brothers and sisters married and raised a family. In each family that followed, the first two daughters were named in remembrance of the tragic sisters who died in 1923.

My parents' 65th wedding anniversary

Today, 12th March 2023, would have been our parents', 65th wedding anniversary. This photograph was taken at the reception held in the Royal Hotel, in Stornoway and captures the very moment when they happily cut the wedding cake. Earlier that afternoon their wedding service took place in St Columba's (Old Parish) Church Stornoway .

My mother Barbara, often told us how our father Willie and his two brothers had to clear snow and ice from the steps and entrance of the church, that morning.

P1 at Sandwickhill

The other day I was trying to do a bit of sorting out and spring cleaning, when I came across some old class photographs. Here is my P1 "Infant" class, at Sandwickhill Primary School, c May 1966. At that time there were two separate intakes each year. Depending on a child's birth day, they started school either after the Easter/Spring holiday or after the Summer holiday. I believe the two yearly intakes were combined after the Summer holiday to create a class of pupils of similar age. This was the height of the "baby boom" class sizes were large then and the concept of composite classes and combined facilities was a necessity.

This photograph brought back so many memories for me and I thought I would share it. I am happy to say I know and remember everyone in this picture, and can even name them all. I now look forward to seeing the response, memories and comments.

4th March 2023

Well it has been a couple of months since I last expressed my thoughts and feelings here. A couple of cold, dark and wet months of a winter that is now moving behind us and making way for the time of reviving and renewal, with longer and brighter days, we welcome Spring. Sun at dawn to break our day. There can be nothing quite like sunshine in the morning to lift the spirit and encourage us to remember the wonder of nature and joy of living. Indeed we must catch these moments of brightness and savour them as they arise. There is so much benefit to be gained to our health and well being simply walking in the sun shine. This is sadly often lacking in our part of the world where our climate results in winters that seem to stretch and linger, such days are dark and dull. I believe this does contribute to our outlook and approach to life. We become focused on our climate and the weather. It's adversity dominates and dictates what and how we do things. We become preoccupied with defending against the prevailing wind and rain. Of course inevitably becoming the prime topic of our conversation. Now, I remember when I lived in Italy, back in those halcyon days after art school, there every day was reliably warm and dry. Meaning, simple things like deciding what to wear, each day, was easy, as each day was predictably good and pleasant. It never ceases to amaze me that when the weather is always good, with little or no variation, no-one needs to make any reference to the climatic conditions. People do not comment on the condition of the weather and other forms of ice breaking chat get deployed. I certainly loved my time there, and would go back in an instant. But I know I occasionally yearned for dramatic variation in the clear blue of the sky or warm dryness of each day.

The cheering aspect of a simple sunny day must never be underestimated, it is such a fundamental element of our lives and vital when we are presented with the sadness that constantly seems to follow us all as we progress in years. I am looking forward to the Spring and hoping that there will be some settled climatic conditions, to actually get back out in my garden and watch the wonder of nature's renewal, regrowth and recovery. What greater gift can there be?...All things bright and beautiful...

A gentle reflection on Saturday 4th March 2023.
KB

3rd January 2023

As the 2022 Christmas Holiday now passes and we are looking to and hoping for a better, healthier and happier year ahead, in 2023... I feel my usual yearning for the brighter and more active days of spring. It is driven by a deep passion to get creative again (for me that would be drawing, painting, writing, gardening, cooking, designing, even thinking!). In the positive knowledge that there is an inherent healing to be gained in the natural cycle of living. Soon the sap will be rising in the trees and the leaf buds preparing for capturing the extra sun light. But equally soon, possibly sooner our lives will need to begin the return to the labours and endeavours of so called normality. We need to be optimistic when looking to the future. I know only too well the effort that this entails. As the last couple of years have certainly been a challenge of sadness and loss, for myself and many people for whom I care.

The festive holiday that now passes into it's own history, actually marked the fiftieth that our family has had in this home, in Newton Street, Stornoway. The place is a considerably quieter one now. Our parents thrived on the hospitality of the season, the extra place setting at the table was always filled. There was a constant fire crackling in the hearth and the oven yielded a continuing production of roasts, vegetables and fresh festive baking. There was music, voice and merriment... But, sadly, it no longer heaves with such partying. I well remember these parties and the happy people who enjoyed them through the years. Perhaps, who knows, I might yet regain the energy required to celebrate future anniversaries, events and parties. I also thrive on same hospitality given by my parents.

As I reflect on this festive holiday, I am reminded of another, equally full of hope. On this day six years ago, 3rd January 2017, I left the warmth and comfort of my Dear Mother's home to head back to my Glasgow flat for the last time. There with the help of two of my brother's and nephews, I began the task of finally clearing that old place. It had been my home and studio of work for almost forty years. Just as our parents had in Stornoway, my Glasgow home was one of hospitality. Over the years I held lots of parties and welcomed many guests. The table was served with the same traditional extra setting, it was also always filled. But despite all these years I never actually spent a Christmas Day there, I always returned to sit at that special dinner with my Dear Mother. On my very last day, in that old flat, Friday 20th January 2017, everything and everybody gone, I was left completely on my own. Prior to handing the keys to the estate agent, for the new owner. I quietly stole a most precious moment, to wander through those empty rooms, which seemed so filled with the sound of friendly laughter and familiar voice. As my head cleared, I stepped over the threshold and gently pulled the eight foot door shut, then turned the lock for my last time. One era, with all it's memories had just past, almost symbolically and I was keen to move swiftly on to my next. The following day I returned to Stornoway, this had long been planned and I happily embraced my future. So many aspects have indeed been and continue to be bright and wonderful. Such a thought actually keeps me going...

Here's to the future, here's to 2023.

Reflections of this time of year, Tuesday 3rd January 2023
KB

In memory of my father's 90th birthday

Despite the cold, dark and damp of the season, I wish to reflect on the life and times of a very special, bright and dynamic person. William Burns, Marine Engineer, (1932 -1993).

Today, 3rd November 2022, would have been our father Willie Burns' 90th birthday. I find it virtually impossible to imagine him that age, as he was only sixty and a half, younger than I am now, when he was suddenly taken away. So my image and memory of him are of an active, indeed lively fellow. His life was a busy endeavour of work and preparing for work. He thrived on the challenges of fixing and repairing, all things engineering. He was a perfectionist in all that he attempted and he loved to encourage excellence in the pursuits of others. He was my greatest critic, he was a wonderful draftsman and I really respected all that he said about my drawing. We all miss him so very much.

He was born in Queensland, Australia, in a town called Howard, his family emigrated, "down under" in 1927.
He was two when he first arrived in the UK.
He spent his teenage years in Joppa, near Portobello, Edinburgh, where he and his friends became professional jazz musicians. He was a drummer, initially learning his skills in a local pipe band. Then progressing to a traditional jazz band called Sandy Brown's. He also became an engineering apprentice at the Henry Robb Ship Yard in Leith. His father advising him to pursue engineering as a more reliable career. He finished off his apprenticeship as an engineer in the Stornoway firm of Lewis Electrical and Diesel. Soon after completion, he signed up with the shipping company of Alfred Holt's, fondly known as "The Blue Flu Line", named after the famous blue funnels.

He quickly advanced through his Marine Engineering qualifications at sea, becoming one of the youngest to gain a Chief Engineers Qualification at the age of 24 years. Though, he was required to wait for a whole year as the company were not able to insure him to take that command before that time.

He met our mother Barbara Ena MacLeod, in Stornoway, on Christmas Eve 1955, they got engaged on 11th November 1956, and were married in Stornoway, on 12th March 1958.

Like so many young couples of that time, Willie and Barbara, moved around, in various places before returning to settle in Lewis, just prior to the birth of the first, of their four sons, early in 1960. Willie began working in the family business Stephen Burns Limited, a Harris Tweed Mill, in Stornoway.

In 1974, he started his own business, an industrial and marine engineering company, in humble beginnings at the rear of the family home. Over the years he built up the business and acquired a fine reputation for diligence and excellence. He was particularly proud of the workforce that he trained, from junior apprentices to skilled engineers. In return he had a very dedicated and loyal team. The workshop moved twice.

Sadly on the morning of 5th May 1993, he suffered a massive heart attack, at his workshop at 38 Inaclete Road, Stornoway, He died shortly afterwards in the Western Isles Hospital.

In fond remembrance and reflection.

22nd October 2022

People and places are the vital elements of the memories and emotions that make up and contribute to all our lives. We enjoy our families, relatives and friends, and select the environments where we are happy to live and work. These are aspects of life we all hold dear and value very much. In fact we actually try to protect and prolong for as much as possible all that we enjoy, especially the people that populate our lives. But as we journey through life we have to continually contend with the stark and sad reality brought about when we lose those special people that we love... Obviously the progression of age means that losing those special people will grow and this is not something that we can actually ever get used to...

Over recent years, months and weeks I have, personally, felt the heart break of losing many dear and much loved people...Each loss creatives an overwhelming sadness and each leaves a unique void....

Through this personal experience I have come to believe what we must do, when faced with the extreme sorrow of the loss of someone we loved, is focus on all the good and happy memories we have of them and being with them. This does more than simply lift our spirits, as such happy thoughts and memories of people are a positive contribution in the process of bereavement. Our shattered emotions need to heal. It is often said that time is a healer, though I am afraid I really do not feel that time can or does heal. Time takes us away from the initial impact of the shock of the loss

Just over a week ago, on Friday the 14th October 2022, I was in Glasgow to attend the funeral of Lorna, my dear sister in law. This was a most moving and beautiful commemoration of her life, lovingly organised by her four grieving sons. Lorna had many friends, and her loving kindness was well known to the people there who knew, loved and valued her. One very special feature of her funeral was the number of young people in attendance, the friends of her sons who, since their childhood, had always been so welcome in her home.

I knew Lorna for over forty years, we were good friends and she was most kind and supportive to me... It will take me a long time, if ever, to come to terms with the fact that she is no longer with us...I will do whatever I can to support each of my four nephews.

Some thoughts in reflection

KB 22 October 2022