Ronald McCormick, 3142, 1/5th Bedfordshire Regiment, died of enteric fever (typhoid) at the 18th Stationary Hospital, Suez, on July 16th, 1916. He was aged 26.

Military records show him as a lance-corporal or corporal, while on the Luton Roll of Honour he is described as a sergeant. A Luton News report said he was promoted to sergeant in the field while serving at Gallipoli in August 1915.

Born near Nuneaton, Warwickshire, in early 1890, he was the son of George and Isabella McCormick, and had five brothers and three sisters.

He joined the Territorials in Luton in 1911 while staying with older brother Gilbert and his family at 27 Buxton Road. At the time of Ronald's death, Gilbert was licensee of the Salisbury Arms pub at 159 Wellington Street. The brothers had lived in Luton for around ten years, while their mother remained at Nuneaton. She was on a visit to Luton when Ronald's death was announced.

Ronald, 6ft 2in tall, was in camp at Ashridge with his battalion when war was declared. He was a former employee of the Diamond Foundry but was working as a stoker at the Corporation Destructor Plant when war broke out.

In the fateful August 15th, 1915, charge at Gallipoli he was described by a comrade as the leading man, being closely in touch with Capt Baker, who was killed at the head of the main body. The Luton News report of his death said that for his gallant conduct Ronald McCormick was promoted on the field at Gallipoli from lance-corporal to sergeant.

Two younger brothers were also serving with the Colours. Pte Lionel McCormick, of the Cameronians, was wounded while taking part in operations in the Persian Gulf but had returned to the front. Pte Louis McCormick, of the Wiltshire Regiment, fought at Hill 60 and Neuve Chapelle, losing two toes due to frostbite, but was still serving.