Pte 37751 James Milligan McCormick

• Age: 26
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• Died Friday 17th May 1918
• Commemorated at: Kirkdale Cem Liverpool
  Panel Ref: XI.CE.492

James Milligan McCormick was born 15th February 1892 at 57 Becket Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool, the youngest son of John McCormick and Elizabeth, née Milligan. His parents were married on 15th February 1886. John McCormick’s occupation was given as a ‘cotton salesman’ on his wedding certificate, although he is described as a ‘warehouseman’ on the 1891 census.

John, who came from Wigtown in Scotland, was 46 years old when James was born, and was a widower at the time of his marriage. Elizabeth was also Scottish, but it seems likely they met in Liverpool. John appears to have had four children by his first marriage, but only the two younger ones are recorded in 1891. At home, James had a step-sister Mary, a step-brother Samuel and an elder full brother Thomas, born 1888. By the time of the 1901 census it appears that James’ father had died and he was living with an uncle.

James married Edith Spanner on 6th March 1915 at St. Luke the Evangelist, Walton, the church at the corner of Goodison Park football ground. He was 23 and she was 21. The marriage was witnessed by his brother, Thomas. The bride and groom both gave their address as 63 Winslow Street, just around the corner.

James worked for the Daily Post & Echo and his occupation is variously given as a 'packer' or 'dispatch clerk'. His name is on the memorial at their offices in Old Hall Street.

Their only child, James Arthur McCormick, was born 15th February 1916 (note the coincidence of this date) and his place of birth was given as Romley Street, off County Road, Walton. All these 3 addresses still exist.

According to his Death Certificate, James died at Milton Hospital (Military Annexe), Southsea, Hampshire on 17th May 1918. I remember being told that my grandmother had taken my father (then aged 2) to visit him at a hospital 'down south'. The certificate records his wife present at the death. Cause of death was given as Trench Fever and Nephritis, a serious condition of the kidney which was probably a result of the trench fever. Both conditions would probably be treated by antibiotics today. His widow gave her address as 27 Sandon Road, Walton, so obviously she and her baby had moved back in with her mother, at what date we don't know.

The Commonwealth War Graves website gives Mrs Edith McCormick’s address as Ireson Street, off Breeze Hill, but this was a post-war address where she lived with her second husband.

James had enlisted in Liverpool joining the 20th Battalion, but following its disbandment in France on 08th February 1918 he was transferred to and serving in the 19th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 37751 when he died on the 17th May 1918, having served in France.

He now rests at Kirkdale Cemetery, Liverpool, he was buried on the 22nd May 1918 with full military honours. Representatives of his employers were in attendance.

The inscription on his headstone reads:

“PEACE PERFECT PEACE”

There are 519 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

James shares his burial plot with Charles Spanner, his father in law who died in 1940. The layout of the headstones makes it look as if his stone was added after Mr. Spanner’s, but maybe it was simply moved to make way for the second interment and then re-instated.

Soldiers Effects to widow Edith, Pension to Edith (now Teare) and child James Arthur.  

Edith McCormick married Cyrus Teare in 1921, and in the late 1920s they moved to Lusitania Road, Walton, where they lived until 1985. Her mother lived at the house on Sandon Road, now demolished, until her death in the early 1960s, aged over 90.

James's brother Thomas lived on until at least the 1950s, initially at 11 Hall Lane, but possibly later in Kingfield Road, Orrell Park.

James is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 27 (20th Battalion).

We currently have no further information on James Milligan McCormick. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

  
Grateful thanks for the detailed biography are extended to Colin McCormick and Richard McCormick, Grandson and Great Grandson respectively. Without their kind assistance this biography would be considerably lacking in detail.