Remembering Private Michael McCormick (1877-1915)

Photo: Simon France

Remembering the people of Littleborough who gave their lives in the World Wars

Littleborough History Centre is remembering the men from Littleborough who lost their lives in the first World War 100 years after their death.

This weekend is the anniversary of Private Michael McCormick.

Michael was born in Flint, North Wales, in 1877. He lived with his parents, Jon and Margaret, his nine brothers and sisters. Thomas, John, Francis and Austin worked as Chemical Labourers like their father. Michael was an errand boy. His younger brother James was a scholar and he had four sisters Anne, Mary, Sarah and Margaret.

By 1901 the family had moved to Littleborough and Michael and his parents John (labourer in Dye Works) and Margaret were living at 42 Calderbrook Road. Thomas also worked in a Dye Works and two of his brothers also lived there.  James was a labourer in a Fulling Mill and Thomas. There were now only two sisters still living with the family, Margaret and Sarah both Ring Piecers in Cotton Mills.

However, by 1911 Michael had been married for five years to Mary Jane and lived at 1 Howard's Place, Littleborough with his two daughters Margret and Ann together with his son John Joseph. Also living there was Jane Ashworth who was a boarder. Michael was a General Labourer and his wife was a ‘Mill Hand Cardroom Roving Frame Tenter’.

Michael served in the Lancashire Fusiliers and went through the South African War but left the services and then worked as a labourer with the Co-operative Wholesale Society. He attended St Mary's Catholic Church, Featherstall.

Shortly after the outbreak of war Michael McCormick re-enlisted in Rochdale in the 3rd Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. On Sunday morning 16 May 1915 Mrs M J McCormick, received official confirmation that her husband had been killed in action on 25 April 1915.

On the 25 April 1915 the 1st Bn Lancashire Fusiliers took part in the Gallipoli campaign, landing at 'Lancashire Landing' and then taking part in various trench warfare activities.  From 8th May until the 13 May 1915 the batallion was in support at Helles.

Mrs McCormick was not informed where Michael had been killed but on the same day she received notification of his death she also received a letter from her husband.  It was written aboard ship on the 23 April 1915 and was posted in Malta. If Private McCormick was killed in action on 25 April 1915 it would suggest he was killed during or shortly after the actual landing.

Michael left a widow and four children, the eldest being eight years old, the youngest three years old. His name is inscribed on Littleborough Cenotaph and on Panel 58 to 72 or 218 to 219 Helles Memorial, Turkey).

The War Graves Commission gives Private 6063 McCormick 1st Bn Lancashire Fusiliers died Sunday 25 April 1915 aged 36, husband of Mary Jane McCormick 5, Queens Road, Littleborough).

Private McCormick is one of twenty known Littleborough and Wardle soldiers killed in action or died of wounds, illness or disease during the Gallipoli Campaign. 

The History Centre at Littleborough Train Station will be holding a Gallipoli exhibition from this weekend to honour the men of Littleborough who fought in the campaign.

The exhibition will be unveiled by Michael's relatives on Saturday at 12pm where his medals will be on display.