C.M. Mack

The selection of photographs featured here were recently donated to the Trust by William Corry in memory of C.M. Mack (Cecil Marshall or ‘Bill’). The late Bill Mack passed away in 1984 and was Head of Merseyside Glider Pilots Veterans up until his death. These photographs belonged to Bill and as a result we have decided to feature the images on the website to act as a tribute to his memory.

Mack was for many years the Chairman of the Glider Pilots Association (Merseyside Branch). He was a Sergeant Glider Pilot but was also a Morse code signaller. During his lifetime he worked at Beaumanor near Woodhouse Eaves in Leicestershire (as mentioned and visited in the film ‘Enigma’). Mack was sworn to secrecy and according to Corry it is highly likely that Mack listened to German radio transmissions which were sent from ‘Station Y’ like Beaumanor to ‘Station X’ (Bletchley Park). This was either done through rail such as the Loughborough/Quorn rail route or by courier motorcycle which coincidentally was another of Mack’s skills.       

Mack along with life-long colleagues John Kennedy, Len Overton and Allan Mclellan all trained in Tiger Moths, similar to the Tiger that we are currently restoring at the Trust, before they went onto gliders. They trained on airfields near Cirencester such as Down Ampney, Blakehill Farm and Fairford. Mack noted that when you climbed up to 3000 feet there were so many airfields in the area that if you didn’t keep your eye on where you had come from you could be lost on where to land back! During this initial training period a glider pilot’s highlight of the week was to walk the mile up Cricklade Hill on a dark and often wet Friday night for Fish & Chips and a pint of beer!

This short synopsis of Mack’s military career provides an insight into just one individual’s life during WWII. Each veteran deserves to be recognised for their achievements and bravery during the War and by posting these images we hope to acknowledge the courage and gallantry of just one of these great men.