Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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Date Information
29/09/2020 Not yet to say goodbye.’
29/09/2020 To whisper just one loving word
29/09/2020 To hear that last faint sigh
29/09/2020 ‘We were not there at the time of death
29/09/2020 MCCORMICK – May 1944, killed in action in Italy, Fusilier William McCormick, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, beloved son of Alexander McCormick, and the late Mrs McCormick, Conyngham Street, Moneymore.
29/09/2020
29/09/2020 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 26th May 1945:
29/09/2020 Ever remembered by his loving sister, brother-in-law and family. Watterson, Urbal Road, Coagh.
08/07/2020 William’s brother, George McCormick, served with th army in World War Two. He survived the war.
08/07/2020 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 17th June 1944: Moneymore
08/07/2020 Intimation has been received by Mr Alex McCormick of Conyngham Street, Moneymore, of the death of his son, Fusilier William McCormick, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, in action ion the Italian campaign. Fusilier McCormick joined up four years ago and was on active service throughout the North African campaign. Later he was in the conflict in Italy and was engaged in the big push for Rome which started on 11th May. The sympathy of all is extended to the relatives of this gallant young soldier, who gave his life for King and country. His brother George is also serving in the army.
08/07/2020 William McCormick enlisted about 1940.
08/07/2020 He served throughout the North African campaign.
08/07/2020 Inserted by his sorrowing sister, brother-in-law, and family; also his brother serving overseas. Watterson, Urbal Road, Coagh.
08/07/2020
08/07/2020 With his Saviour he is waiting
08/07/2020 In that upper garden fair;
08/07/2020 He is watching for our coming
08/07/2020 There will be no parting there.
08/07/2020 Faithful to the last.’
06/07/2020
06/07/2020 McCORMICK – May 1944, killed in action in Italy, Fusilier William McCormick, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, beloved son of Mr Alex McCormick, and the late Mrs McCormick, Conyngham Street, Moneymore. ‘He has fought the good fight.’ Deeply regretted by his sorrowing father and sister.
06/07/2020 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 17th June 1944:
06/07/2020 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th June 1944: Roll of Honour
06/07/2020
06/07/2020 McCORMICK – May 1944, killed in action in Italy, Fusilier William McCormick, beloved son of Mr Alexander McCormick, and the late Mrs McCormick, Conyngham Street, Moneymore.
15/09/2019 The 2nd Battalion and 6th Battalions of the Inniskillings were later heavily involved in the invasion of Italy and in the hard fighting as the Allied armies advanced slowly up the peninsula in the face of the determined German resistance. By early 1944 the Germans were putting up a stubborn defence particularly around the famous abbey of Monte Cassino. General Montgomery, commanding the 8th Army decided to launch an attack at the west end of the enemy line at the mouth of the Garigliano River, while at the same time landing a force on the coast behind the enemy's rear at Anzio. The 2nd Inniskillings were part of a force to cross the river and advance over a plain commanded by enemy positions. The battalion succeeded in crossing the river and advancing under heavy fire and a German-held farm was taken at the point of the bayonet. Casualties were so heavy that only a Lance-Sergeant was left to take command, all officers or N.C.O.s having been killed or wounded. Under very heavy fire more Inniskillings managed to cross the river and the main objective was soon captured. Unfortunately the rest of the Corps attack had been a failure and the Inniskilling soon found their flanks dangerously exposed, but held their positions in the face of heavy enemy counter attacks until relieved.
15/09/2019 His parents lived at Conyngham Street, Moneymore. His sister, Mrs Watterson, went on to live at Urbal Road in Coagh.
15/09/2019 Fusilier William McCormick was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in Italy on 29th May 1944, aged 25.
15/09/2019 The British Army in Italy at this time where given the erroneous title of the ‘D-Day Dodgers’, an unfair description given that they encountered some of the fiercest fighting of the Italian Campaign in and around Cassino.
15/09/2019 William McCormick was the son of Alexander and Annie McCormick. He was born about 1919.
15/09/2019 Fusilier William McCormick has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 6 of the Cassino Memorial, which is located in the Cassino War Cemetery.
15/09/2019 From the Mid Ulster Mail, date unknown:
15/09/2019 Submitted by his sister Mrs Watterson on the anniversary of his death:
15/09/2019
15/09/2019 The CWGC record Fusilier William McCormick as the son of Alexander and Annie McCormick of Moneymore, County Londonderry.
30/12/2015 'I often speak your name, dear brother,
30/12/2015 Before you closed your eyes'
30/12/2015 It was sad we could not say goodbye
30/12/2015 And wonder how you died;
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