When I Heard the Bell

The author of River of Fire examines the events surrounding the post-World War I sinking of HMY Iolaire and its aftermath. On December 31, 1918, with hours from the first New Year of peace, hundreds of Royal Naval Reservists from the Isle of Lewis poured off successive trains onto the quayside at Kyle of Lochalsh. A chaotic Admiralty was unprepared for their safe journey home. Corners were cut, an elderly and recently requisitioned steam-yacht was sent from Stornoway, and that evening HMY Iolair