Daniel Mackay was born in Port Vasgo Melness in 1863, the son of George Mackay and Colina Mackay. He married Johan Manson on 23-02-1913 in Thurso, she was the daughter of Robert Manson and Johan Hendry originally from Dalcharn. Daniel enlisted in the Royal Naval Reserve, before the outbreak of the First World War and may have been a herring fisherman in Wick or been employed by a shipping company.

The men from the Royal Naval Reserve were called up on the 1 of August 1914; the Wick Division consisted of 380 men, 180 from Caithness and the rest from Sutherland. The Division left Wick the following day by train, bound for the naval ports and training depots in the South of England.

Seaman Daniel Mackay was accidentally drowned at Immingham Docks on Humberside while he was undergoing training at the Royal Navy Training Depot, H.M.S. Victory. His body was recovered from the sea and returned home for burial.

Mrs Mackay also lost 2 brothers, a half brother and a 1st cousin in the war. Adam Angus Manson born 1890 who served in 2 Battalion Hampshire Regiment,and died at Gallipoli in 1915, Alexander Hendry Manson born 1882, 13th Btn Northumberland Fusiliers, who died 2nd Dec 1915 at Flanders, WilliamCampbell born 1893, 7th Btn Yorkshire Regiment who was killed 15th Nov 1916 and a 1st cousin Alexander Manson born 1885, son of Angus Manson and Sophie Stewart. Alexander served with the Australian Infantry and was also killed in action serving in Gallipoli in 1915.