New Year's Eve 1918. After four long years of war servicemen from the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides were on their way home, some for the first time .since 1914. Many English soldiers had been granted leave that Christmas but for the Scots, Hogmanay was the time when thoughts turned to home most strongly. When war broke out the islanders had done their duty, every second man from Lewis joining the Army, Royal Navy or Merchant Marine. And they had paid a heavy price. Since 1914 more than 800 had given their lives at various battlefronts on land and sea. Now these survivors were nearing the end of their long journey as they arrived at the railhead at the Kyle of Lochalsh ready to board ships for the last leg - the sailing to Stornoway. But there was a problem; so many men could not be accommodated on the usual transport, the mail boat SS Sheila, so HMY Maire, the yacht belonging to the naval base HMS Maire on Stornoway, was sent to carry the remainder. Its captain, Commander Mason, had a problem getting into the harbour and what was later described as {a bit of blundering', resulted in the yacht striking the pier. Apparently the Iolaire was not an easy ship to turn.
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