John Murdo Macleod was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In 1931 he was brought to Stornoway as his father Angus returned to his family home at 7 Melbost.
After wartime service in the Royal Navy he returned home. In 1948, he went to sea as an Ordinary Seaman with the Ben Line company. By 1962, he had risen to Chief Officer of the SS Benvorlich when the ship rescued five men, washed out to sea in two separate craft by a ferocious storm off the coast of Malaya (now Malaysia). In 1966 he became Master of the Benhiant. While commanding the maiden voyage of the Ben Ocean Lancer in 1977, he was taken ill and this forced his retirement. He was described as a very popular member of the community, despite being troubled by ongoing ill health.
In Nov 1958 he married Isobel Macdonald of 2 Tong Park and they had a daughter, Angela.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stornoway (Steornabhagh) 3 Patrol | Patrol member | Unknown | 1943 |
JM Macleod appears on an undated typed list of Patrol members. This list has amendments marked in red to show current members on 26 Mar 1943 and he is not included.
He is known to have served with the Royal Navy, so presumably joined aged 18 in early 1943. His brother Ian Macfarlane MacLeod, was also at sea and sadly died while serving as 2nd Wireless operator on the SS Accrington on 5 Mar 1944.
TNA ref WO199/3388
Stornoway Gazette 4 Jan 1946, 2 Dec 1958, 20 Nov 1962, 25 Mar 2004