William Leith Cormack

Sergeant William Leith Cormack
08 Dec 1892 - 22 Jan 1971
Biography

He was the son of George Cormack. In 1911, he went to sea as wireless telegraph operator on the SS Batavier, having completed an apprenticeship at the Lybster Post Office telegraph department. During the First World War he served from 24 Mar 1916 with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in the telegraph office at Aberdeen. 

His grandfather Captain Leith had been a ship’s captain. At the start of the war he was an ARP Warden and remained so until at least Apr 1941. He operated a general store at Forse Lodge. Contributions through this raised £2 18s towards the Caithness County Fighter Fund towards purchasing an aircraft.

He married Crissy MacKenzie Bone, a teacher at Lybster School, on 11 Jul 1916 at Mackay’s Hotel, Tain. She later became president of the Women’s Rural Institute.

Postings
Unit or location Role Posted from until
Latheron Patrol Patrol Leader Unknown 03 Dec 1944
National ID
SXBO 8/1
Career

Cormack won the Group 2 .22 rifle shooting competition in 1944.

Address
Forse Lodge, Latheron, Caithness
References

TNA ref WO199/3388, 

Hancock data held at B.R.A, 

IWM ref 13450 – 201 Bn News July 1944 

John O’Groat Journal 8 Sep 1939, 25 Oct 1940, 4 Apr 1941, 7 Oct 1949, 14 Oct 1949, 5 Feb 1971

Inverness Courier 14 Jul 1916

Aberdeen Press and Journal 25 Jan 1971

Mercantile Marine medal card