Cormack, Hugh William
No.1242-Private Hugh William Cormack – 32nd Battalion AIF
Hugh William Cormack was born in Carlton Victoria in 1885 to William and Ellen Cormack. The family moved across to Western Australia and took up residence in Perth. Hugh was educated at school in Perth, and after leaving took up work with the WA Government Railways as a fireman. In 1905 Hugh married Ellen Hay and they would have three children; Wallace in 1905; George in 1909 & Phyllis in 1911. They set up residence in Fremantle, though after Hugh enlisted Ellen moved the family to Hammand Street Palmyra East Fremantle.
On the 13th July 1915, Hugh went to the recruiting office in Perth and offered his services to the AIF. He was accepted as fit with the medical officer finding Hugh to be 5 feet 7 inches in height; weight of 179 lbs; chest measurement of 38-40 inches; dark complexion; blue eyes and dark hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. Initially allotted to No.16 Depot Company, on the 16th August 1915, Hugh was assigned to “D” Company of the newly forming 32nd Battalion AIF.
This was a joint South Australian and West Australian battalion and after their initial training in WA, both C & D Companies travelled to Adelaide SA to complete their training. The whole battalion trained in Adelaide till their departure on the transport ship H.M.A.T. “Geelong”. Their ship arrived in Egypt on the 18th December 1915. No doubt the men had been expecting to be heading for Gallipoli, though two days after their arrival in Egypt; the final troops were pulled out from the Anzac battlefield.
The 32nd Battalion therefore continued their training in the Egyptian desert and also garrisoned the Suez Canal Defence line. In February 1916 the AIF expanded and from their 8th Brigade being a solitary Brigade it now joined up with the new 14th & 15th Brigades to form the 5th Division AIF. This division trained in Egypt until June 1916. On the 17th May Hugh got into trouble while the 32nd Battalion were stationed at Ferry Post when he left a fatigue parade without authority and for using threatening language to a superior officer. As a punishment he was Confined to Barracks for 14 days and had to forfeit 7 days pay.
On the 17th June Hugh and the 32nd Battalion left Alexandria and arrived at Marseilles on the 23rd June 1916. They were immediately sent north to the region around Fleurbaix where they were just supposed to gain front line experience. However this proved a fallacy, as they were rushed into a disastrous attack at Fromelles on July 19th 1916. For many in the 32nd Battalion their attack was their first time in the actual front line.
The 32nd Battalion advanced and took the German position but due to their flank being open a and lack of protective cover in the German trench they were soon surrounded and only a few men of the 32nd made it back to their own lines. Hugh was badly wounded on the 19th July by shellfire as shrapnel struck him through the legs. He was brought back to the Australian lines and stretcher bearers evacuated him to 15th Field Ambulance where his wounds were treated. He was then transferred to the 8th Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul. Unfortunately the wounds proved too severe to recover from and Hugh died on the 21st July 1916. He was buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension in plot II.F.19 in a service conducted by Reverend A.F. Fern.
After Hugh’s death Ellen and her children received pensions; Ellen receiving 40/- per fortnight and her children half of that. They put the following verse in the death notice in the West Australian in remembrance of Hugh.
His King and Country called him; The call was not in vain; On Britain’s Roll of Honour; You’ll find the Hero’s name
Cormack Street in Alfred Cove would be named after Hugh Cormack