Michael Stack (1896 - 1916) from Churchtown Cork

Among the eighteen children of William and Margaret Stack, Michael, the eldest, represents the profound sacrifice of a generation. Born on November 6th, 1896, in Churchtown, Cork, Michael came of age during one of the most tumultuous periods in European history – the First World War. 

The 8th Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, Michael's unit, was a testament to the Irish fighting spirit. Formed in September or October of 1914, the battalion primarily recruited from County Limerick and County Cork Initially stationed at Fermoy in the 47th Brigade, 16th Division, the battalion's journey was one of rigorous preparation and ultimate sacrifice.
Their training was relentless. From Fermoy to Mitchelstown, and later to Blackdown Barracks in Aldershot, Surrey, the soldiers underwent intensive military preparation. From 8 am to 4:30 pm, the soldiers dedicated their days to firing thousands of shots in often challenging weather conditions. By November 1915, the battalion had been inspected by the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Borne, and was prepared for overseas service. 
On December 17th, 1915, the 16th Division left Aldershot, sailing from Southampton to Le Havre. In the early months of 1916, the 16th Division faced the harsh realities of trench warfare. The landscape was a nightmare of strategic complexity – trenches zigzagged to minimise casualties, with front, support, and rear lines connected by communication trenches.
The battalion's first major test came on April 27th, 1916, during a massive German gas attack in the Hulluch sector. Despite crude protective gear, the Irish troops mounted a remarkable resistance. German troops managed to penetrate Irish trenches at several points but were forced back in sharp bayonet fighting, with the 48th Brigade losing 200 killed and wounded.
By July 1916, the 8th Royal Munster Fusiliers found themselves in the Puits Bis area, undertaking dangerous raid operations. On the night of July 19th, an intense three-minute bombardment preceded a raid on the enemy line. Michael Stack, now a Lance Corporal, was part of this perilous mission.
The war diary records the events of that fateful night with clinical precision. Multiple parties were tasked with raiding the enemy line, covered by concentrated rifle grenade salvos. Despite challenges in penetrating the enemy wire, the parties managed to clear fire trenches with bombs. Under the command of 2nd Lieutenant Maher, some parties reached the enemy fire trench, killing German soldiers who had taken cover.
Lance Corporal Michael Stack sacrificed his life during this raid. The war diary records, "Several casualties happened here, probably L/CPL Stack among them"—a stark bureaucratic note that belied the human cost of war.
On July 20th, 1916, in Flanders, Michael Stack lost his life in action. He was just 19 years old. His body was buried in Mazingarbe Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France – far from the fields of Churchtown, where he was born. He was one of the eight brothers and nine sisters who would remember him, a young man who represented the courage and tragedy of his generation.
His story is more than a military record. It is a deeply personal narrative of a young Irish soldier who, like thousands of his contemporaries, was caught in the machinery of a global conflict. Michael Stack was one of the estimated 200,000 Irishmen who fought in World War I, with approximately 49,000 of them losing their lives – a staggering contribution from such a small nation.
In the Stack family history, Michael's sacrifice stands as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the extraordinary courage of ordinary men thrust into extraordinary circumstances. His memory lives on in military archives, his family, and the story of Irish contributions to the Great War.
Hello! I’m searching for any details about the Stack family from Churchtown, Cork, Ireland. If you have stories, old documents, or even just a memory about the Stacks from this area, I’d love to hear from you—please feel free to leave a comment below. We value every piece of information you provide.
If you’re part of the younger generation of the Stack family, I’m especially glad you’re here. You’re welcome to share this website with any other Stack relatives you know: 
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Thank you so much!
Peter Stack
Author of the upcoming book “The Stacks of Churchtown Cork”
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