Michael McCorkell
Encyclopedia
'Colonel Sir Michael McCorkell, KCVO
, OBE
, TD
, JP
, DL
(3 May 1925 - 13 November 2006) was an Northern Irish
soldier and British
public servant, emulating the high level of British public service of successive generations of the McCorkell family, being Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry
for 25 years. His Uncle, Sir Dudley McCorkell
, had also been Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry
.
McCorkell was the son of Capt. B. F. McCorkell, of Templeard, Culmore, County Londonderry
. He was born in Buncrana, Inishowen
, County Donegal
, in 1925 and was educated at Aldenham School
, before the outbreak of World War II
and the curtailment of travel caused him to finish his education at Campbell College
.
to Italy
, landing on his nineteenth birthday. Commanding a tank troop, he fought from Monte Cassino
all the way up through Italy. His unit was one of the first into Venice
. He was in Austria
when the war ended and, as victors in Europe these were heady times for a young soldier. He shot chamois on Göring
's mountain estate in Austria (the heads of the chamois were fine ones because the Luftwaffe
had dropped hay to the beasts on the hill) and he kept the mess in trout with regular forays to the Alpine streams and lakes; and cavalrymen were in their element here, with the pick of the liberated Austrian and German horse flesh at the allies’ disposal. McCorkell was involved in two enormous tattoos at the Schönbrunn Palace
in Vienna
and at the Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium) in Berlin
, where he and others performed cavalry trick rides.
He was a Major
in the Territorial Army and North Irish Horse
(1951). His long involvement with the North Irish Horse
had already seen him commanding it in the 1960s and, without hesitation, he became T & AVR Colonel, Northern Ireland
, in 1971-1974, Aide-de-camp
to Queen Elizabeth II
(1972), Brevet Colonel (1974), Honorary Colonel of the North Irish Horse
in 1975 and President of the T & AVR, Northern Ireland
in 1977.
As a devout Christian
, and a wholly ecumenical one, McCorkell served all sides of the community, during some of the county's toughest times, without prejudice or favour, offering support or sympathy, but never doctrine: he was genuinely and wholly non-political as Lord Lieutenant
of the County of Londonderry from 1975-2000. He was made High Sheriff
of County Londonderry from 1961 and, like many of his ancestors before him, Deputy Lieutenant
for the City of Londonderry from 1962; Justice of the Peace
from 1980. He was appointed TD
in 1954; OBE in 1964 and knighted with the KCVO
, 1994, an honour in the very personal gift of Queen Elizabeth II
. Like his uncle, Sir Dudley
, he served on the Harbour Board Commissioners and as Chairmen of Wm. McCorkell, who operated the McCorkell Line
from 1778. Away from his hectic public life, at the family home at Ballyarnett, he built up a pedigree Jersey dairy herd. As an enthusiastic horseman, he whipped in for many years to the Strabane
Hounds and in later life, he spent much of his time snipe shooting in County Fermanagh
and fishing in County Donegal
.
OBE, daughter of Lieut-Colonel E.B. Booth, DSO
, of Darver Castle, Dundalk
, County Louth
, by whom he had 3 sons (John Barry Ernest, David William and Barry Michael) and 1 daughter (Mary Aileen). He was rightly proud of her own achievements, Lady McCorkell
founded the Derry Red Cross during The Troubles. He was a nephew of Sir Dudley McCorkell
and Ronald Colville, Lord Clydesmuir
, was his brother-in-law. The McCorkell's, who are originally from Scotland, are from the Clan McCorquodale
and are a sept
of Clan Gunn
. Upon his death, aged 81, a Memorial service
was held in St. Columb's Cathedral, Derry
.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, TD
Territorial Decoration
The Territorial Decoration was a medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force and its successor, the Territorial Army...
, JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, DL
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
(3 May 1925 - 13 November 2006) was an Northern Irish
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
soldier and British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
public servant, emulating the high level of British public service of successive generations of the McCorkell family, being Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry
Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry
This is a list of people to have been Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry. The office was created on 23 August 1831.-County Londonderry:*George Canning, 1st Baron Garvagh 7 October 1831 – 20 August 1840*Sir Robert Ferguson, 2nd Baronet 1840 – 13 March 1860...
for 25 years. His Uncle, Sir Dudley McCorkell
Dudley McCorkell
Sir Dudley Evelyn Bruce McCorkell, MBE, DL, JP was a Mayor of Derry , Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry and ex officio member of the Senate of Northern Ireland.-Career:...
, had also been Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry
Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry
This is a list of people to have been Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry. The office was created on 23 August 1831.-County Londonderry:*George Canning, 1st Baron Garvagh 7 October 1831 – 20 August 1840*Sir Robert Ferguson, 2nd Baronet 1840 – 13 March 1860...
.
McCorkell was the son of Capt. B. F. McCorkell, of Templeard, Culmore, County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
. He was born in Buncrana, Inishowen
Inishowen
Inishowen is a peninsula in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in the north of Ireland. It is also the largest peninsula in all of Ireland. Inishowen is a picturesque location with a rich history...
, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, in 1925 and was educated at Aldenham School
Aldenham School
Aldenham School is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged thirteen to eighteen, located between Elstree and the village of Aldenham in Hertfordshire, England...
, before the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the curtailment of travel caused him to finish his education at Campbell College
Campbell College
Campbell College is a Voluntary Grammar school in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The College educates boys from ages 11–18. It is one of the eight Northern Irish schools represented on the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and is a member of the Independent Schools Council.The school occupies...
.
Career
During the war, he served with the 16/5 Lancers (1943–1947). In 1943, he went straight from Royal Military Academy SandhurstRoyal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, landing on his nineteenth birthday. Commanding a tank troop, he fought from Monte Cassino
Monte Cassino
Monte Cassino is a rocky hill about southeast of Rome, Italy, c. to the west of the town of Cassino and altitude. St. Benedict of Nursia established his first monastery, the source of the Benedictine Order, here around 529. It was the site of Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944...
all the way up through Italy. His unit was one of the first into Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
. He was in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
when the war ended and, as victors in Europe these were heady times for a young soldier. He shot chamois on Göring
Göring
- People :* Albert Göring, a German businessman, brother of Hermann Göring* Carin Göring, first wife of Hermann Göring* Carl Göring, German master of chess and philosopher* Emmy Göring, German actress and second wife of Hermann Göring...
's mountain estate in Austria (the heads of the chamois were fine ones because the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
had dropped hay to the beasts on the hill) and he kept the mess in trout with regular forays to the Alpine streams and lakes; and cavalrymen were in their element here, with the pick of the liberated Austrian and German horse flesh at the allies’ disposal. McCorkell was involved in two enormous tattoos at the Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn Palace is a former imperial 1,441-room Rococo summer residence in Vienna, Austria. One of the most important cultural monuments in the country, since the 1960s it has been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna...
in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and at the Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium) in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, where he and others performed cavalry trick rides.
He was a Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the Territorial Army and North Irish Horse
North Irish Horse
The North Irish Horse is a yeomanry unit of the British Territorial Army raised in the northern counties of Ireland in the aftermath of the Second Boer War...
(1951). His long involvement with the North Irish Horse
North Irish Horse
The North Irish Horse is a yeomanry unit of the British Territorial Army raised in the northern counties of Ireland in the aftermath of the Second Boer War...
had already seen him commanding it in the 1960s and, without hesitation, he became T & AVR Colonel, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, in 1971-1974, Aide-de-camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
to Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
(1972), Brevet Colonel (1974), Honorary Colonel of the North Irish Horse
North Irish Horse
The North Irish Horse is a yeomanry unit of the British Territorial Army raised in the northern counties of Ireland in the aftermath of the Second Boer War...
in 1975 and President of the T & AVR, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
in 1977.
As a devout Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
, and a wholly ecumenical one, McCorkell served all sides of the community, during some of the county's toughest times, without prejudice or favour, offering support or sympathy, but never doctrine: he was genuinely and wholly non-political as Lord Lieutenant
Lord Lieutenant
The title Lord Lieutenant is given to the British monarch's personal representatives in the United Kingdom, usually in a county or similar circumscription, with varying tasks throughout history. Usually a retired local notable, senior military officer, peer or business person is given the post...
of the County of Londonderry from 1975-2000. He was made High Sheriff
High Sheriff
A high sheriff is, or was, a law enforcement officer in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.In England and Wales, the office is unpaid and partly ceremonial, appointed by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council. In Cornwall, the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of...
of County Londonderry from 1961 and, like many of his ancestors before him, Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
for the City of Londonderry from 1962; Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
from 1980. He was appointed TD
Territorial Decoration
The Territorial Decoration was a medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force and its successor, the Territorial Army...
in 1954; OBE in 1964 and knighted with the KCVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, 1994, an honour in the very personal gift of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
. Like his uncle, Sir Dudley
Dudley McCorkell
Sir Dudley Evelyn Bruce McCorkell, MBE, DL, JP was a Mayor of Derry , Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry and ex officio member of the Senate of Northern Ireland.-Career:...
, he served on the Harbour Board Commissioners and as Chairmen of Wm. McCorkell, who operated the McCorkell Line
McCorkell Line
The McCorkell Line was operated by Wm. McCorkell & Co. Ltd. from 1778, principally carrying passengers from Ireland, Scotland and England to the Americas...
from 1778. Away from his hectic public life, at the family home at Ballyarnett, he built up a pedigree Jersey dairy herd. As an enthusiastic horseman, he whipped in for many years to the Strabane
Strabane
Strabane , historically spelt Straban,is a town in west County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It contains the headquarters of Strabane District Council....
Hounds and in later life, he spent much of his time snipe shooting in County Fermanagh
County Fermanagh
Fermanagh District Council is the only one of the 26 district councils in Northern Ireland that contains all of the county it is named after. The district council also contains a small section of County Tyrone in the Dromore and Kilskeery road areas....
and fishing in County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Family
In 1950 he married Aileen Allen, Lady McCorkellAileen McCorkell
Aileen Allen, Lady McCorkell OBE was the founder and first President of the British Red Cross branch in Derry. It was, as part of a lifelong dedication to healing community strife in Northern Ireland, that she agreed to host, with her husband, Colonel Sir Michael, at her family home in 1972 secret...
OBE, daughter of Lieut-Colonel E.B. Booth, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, of Darver Castle, Dundalk
Dundalk
Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations...
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, by whom he had 3 sons (John Barry Ernest, David William and Barry Michael) and 1 daughter (Mary Aileen). He was rightly proud of her own achievements, Lady McCorkell
Aileen McCorkell
Aileen Allen, Lady McCorkell OBE was the founder and first President of the British Red Cross branch in Derry. It was, as part of a lifelong dedication to healing community strife in Northern Ireland, that she agreed to host, with her husband, Colonel Sir Michael, at her family home in 1972 secret...
founded the Derry Red Cross during The Troubles. He was a nephew of Sir Dudley McCorkell
Dudley McCorkell
Sir Dudley Evelyn Bruce McCorkell, MBE, DL, JP was a Mayor of Derry , Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry and ex officio member of the Senate of Northern Ireland.-Career:...
and Ronald Colville, Lord Clydesmuir
Baron Clydesmuir
Baron Clydesmuir, of Braidwood in the County of Lanark, Scotland, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1948 for the Unioniste politician John Colville. He served as Secretary of State for Scotland from 1938 to 1940. His son, the second Baron, was Governor of the Bank...
, was his brother-in-law. The McCorkell's, who are originally from Scotland, are from the Clan McCorquodale
Clan McCorquodale
Clan McCorquodale is a Scottish clan, recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, though without a chief so recognised. The last chief of the clan died in the 18th century. Because the clan does not have a recognised chief, it is considered an armigerous clan, and has no legal standing under Scots...
and are a sept
Sept
A sept is an English word for a division of a family, especially a division of a clan. The word might have its origin from Latin saeptum "enclosure, fold", or it can be an alteration of sect.The term is found in both Ireland and Scotland...
of Clan Gunn
Clan Gunn
Clan Gunn is a Scottish clan associated with northeastern Scotland, including Caithness and Sutherland as well as the Orkney Islands.The clan's origins stretch over the sea to Norway, and the Clan Gunn themselves claim descent from the legendary viking Sweyn Asleifsson, the progenitor of the clan,...
. Upon his death, aged 81, a Memorial service
Funeral
A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember the dead, from interment itself, to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor...
was held in St. Columb's Cathedral, Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
.