King’s South Africa Medal 1901-1902, 2 Clasps: South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 awarded to Private W. McCormack, 1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers who saw service in South Africa during the Boer War where he would be present during the operations in Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal, in the actions at Talana and Tugela Height and during the operations to relieve Ladysmith. During the Great War he would land at ‘V’ Beach at Gallipoli on the first day of the landings, disembarking from the River Clyde.
King’s South Africa Medal 1901-1902, 2 Clasps: South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; unofficial correction to initial and first half of surname (6035 PTE. W. MCCORMACK. RL:DUBLIN.FUS.)
Condition: unofficial correction to first half of surname, edge-bruising, Fine
William McCormack joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 8th February 1897, stating falsely that his name was ‘Cormack’ and that he was an 18 year old Farm Labourer from Kilkenny. This false statement would eventually catch up with him as in January 1912 when he made a formal statement to the effect he had enlisted under a false name. He served in South Africa from 24th December 1898 until 22nd January 1901, and would take part in the Boer War where he would be present during the operations in Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal as well as in the actions at Talana, Tugela Heights and during the operations to relieve Ladysmith. During the Boer War he had been reported as dangerously ill in February 1900.
He would later see service during the Great War where he would take part in the landings at ‘V’ Beach on the Gallipoli Peninsula, disembarking from the River Clyde. He would finally be discharged on 19th April 1919 due to Arthritis which was caused by Military Service.
