MILITARY MEDAL, 1914-15 TRIO & PLAQUE.
To:
S-2340. Pte William Cormack, 7th Bn, Seaforth Highlanders.
London Gazette, 12th December 1917
DIED OF WOUNDS 24th SEPTEMBER 1917
William Cormack arrived in France on 10th May 1915 and died of wounds received in the third battle of Ypres on 24th September 1917. He was posthumously decorated for his bravery with ‘A’ Company during the fierce fighting around the enemy pillboxes at Mill Cott and Borry Farm between 20th and 24th September 1917.
[THE BATTLES AT FREZENBURG RIDGE, PASSCHENDAELE]
The sites known as Iberian, Mill Cott, Beck House and Borry farms, or what was left of them, were infamous early German strong points which had all been sited in commanding positions on the Frezenburg Ridge just two miles from the village of Passchendaele. These defensive enemy pill boxes which had comfortably repelled several earlier attacks had been built on the site of the ruined old farm houses.
The Seaforth's war diaries for 22nd September 1917 confirms that enemy snipers had caused many casualties in the ranks of the battalions during their early morning attack on the German pill box positions at Mill Cott & Borry Farm. This is certainly where William Cormack performed the act of gallantry for which he received his posthumous Military Medal. William was clearly put forward for his award despite having died on 24th September of wounds received during the action. The War Diary confirms his award and also notes that he had died of wounds.
William Cormack who served with 26th Brigade, 9th Scottish Division is buried in Nine Elms British Cemetery, Belgium.
He was one of FIVE men of his battalion to be decorated for this infamous action. He and a further man received an MM for this particular action with a third man being awarded a Second Award Bar to his Military Medal. Their platoon commander, **Lt Alexander D. Stuart, received the Military Cross, and their **C.S.M. Arthur P.Rogers, received the Distinguished Conduct Medal. **Both these men were killed in action a few days later on 12th October 1917 & are commemorated on The Tyne Cot Memorial.
[731. Pte A. M. CORMACK 2nd Bn RHODESIA REGt]
William's brother, 731. Pte Alexander Mcintosh Cormack, 2nd Bn Rhodesia Regiment, served in the German South West Africa Campaign followed service in German East Africa. He died in South Africa on 14th February 1917, as a result of dysentery and is buried at at Plumstead Cemetery, Cape Town.
The two Cormack brothers were the sons of Francis and Christina Mackintosh Cormack, and were born in Wick, Caithness, Scotland.
Both groups, which are practically Mint State with Original Ribbons come complete with their card plaque envelopes and Buckingham Palace letters.
Alexander's trio from the Very Rare 2nd Rhodesia Regt also comes with his two original named card boxes of issue with the three internal envelopes.
AN EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY CASUALTY ASSEMBLY WITH A MASS OF PAPERWORK & RESEARCH INCLUDING COPIES & TYPED TRANSCRIPTS OF THE WAR DIARY.
£2995 , with quality part exchanges welcome.