Paul J Collins

The McCormack family came from Ireland, where they were known as the Cormacks. In 1882, Joseph and Theresa McCormack sailed to Australia. This book presents what occurred to the family in the years following their arrival through primary documents and photographs.

In World War I, 35 relatives of the Collins family aged between 18 and 57 volunteered for service - 15 came from the Collins side while 20 were from the Byrne side. Some never passed the enlistment process. Of those who served overseas, many were injured and a saddening percentage died. With interest in the war high due to its centenary, this book honours those who answered the call by detailing their service and lives using primary documents and the vast amount of resources available for researchers. It is hard to say whether these veterans cover the full range of Australia's involvement during the Great War, from being enlisted for a few weeks at the end of the war to dying, but there is no denying the 34 men and one woman whose lives are recorded here encompass a broad range of the Australian experience during the conflict.