Arthur Edward Cumming: Difference between revisions
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[[Brigadier]] '''Arthur Edward Cumming''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] [[Military Cross|MC]] (18 June 1896 – 10 April 1971) was a Scottish recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]], the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces. |
[[Brigadier]] '''Arthur Edward Cumming''' [[Victoria Cross|VC]] [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] [[Military Cross|MC]] (18 June 1896 – 10 April 1971) was a Scottish recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]], the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to [[United Kingdom|British]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces. |
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He was born in [[Karachi]], British India of Scottish parentage and attended [[Karachi Grammar School]]. |
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Cumming was 45 years old, and a [[lieutenant colonel]] commanding the 2/[[12th Frontier Force Regiment]], in the [[Indian Army during World War II]]. Lt. Col Cumming and his battalion were defending an airfield during the [[Battle of Malaya]] when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC (currently displayed at the [[National Army Museum]]).<ref name="Generals biographies">{{cite web|url=http://www.generals.dk/general/Cumming/Arthur_Edward/Great_Britain.html|title=Biographies of the Generals|publisher=Steen Ammentorp|accessdate=11 February 2010}}</ref> |
Cumming was 45 years old, and a [[lieutenant colonel]] commanding the 2/[[12th Frontier Force Regiment]], in the [[Indian Army during World War II]]. Lt. Col Cumming and his battalion were defending an airfield during the [[Battle of Malaya]] when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC (currently displayed at the [[National Army Museum]]).<ref name="Generals biographies">{{cite web|url=http://www.generals.dk/general/Cumming/Arthur_Edward/Great_Britain.html|title=Biographies of the Generals|publisher=Steen Ammentorp|accessdate=11 February 2010}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 15:07, 31 December 2018
Arthur Edward Cumming | |
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 | |
| Born | 18 June 1896 Karachi, British India |
| Died | 10 April 1971 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Indian Army |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Commands | 2/12th Frontier Force Regiment 63rd Indian Brigade Dehra Dun District |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Order of the British Empire Military Cross |
Brigadier Arthur Edward Cumming VC OBE MC (18 June 1896 – 10 April 1971) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was born in Karachi, British India of Scottish parentage and attended Karachi Grammar School.
Cumming was 45 years old, and a lieutenant colonel commanding the 2/12th Frontier Force Regiment, in the Indian Army during World War II. Lt. Col Cumming and his battalion were defending an airfield during the Battle of Malaya when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC (currently displayed at the National Army Museum).[1]
On 3 January 1942 near Kuantan, Malaya, the Japanese made a furious attack on the battalion and a strong enemy force penetrated the position. Lieutenant Colonel Cumming, with a small party of men, immediately led a counter-attack and although all his men became casualties and he, himself, had two bayonet wounds in the stomach he managed to restore the situation sufficiently for the major portion of the battalion and its vehicles to be withdrawn. Later he drove in a carrier, under very heavy fire, collecting isolated detachments of his men and was again wounded. His gallant actions helped the brigade to withdraw safely.[2]
Cumming was one of a small number of officers and men who were ordered to be evacuated from Singapore before the island was surrendered on 15 February 1942. Cumming commanded a battalion of the 9th Jat Regiment[1] before his promotion to brigadier and command of the 63rd Indian Brigade[1] during the Burma Campaign. From 1944 to his retirement in 1947 Brigadier Cumming was in command of the Dehra Dun District in India.[1]
His VC is on display at the National Army Museum, Chelsea.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Biographies of the Generals". Steen Ammentorp. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ^ "No. 35462". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 February 1942. p. 833.
Sources
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
External links
- Use dmy dates from April 2012
- 1896 births
- British World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross
- Recipients of the Military Cross
- Indian World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross
- British Indian Army officers
- Indian Army personnel of World War II
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Military of Singapore under British rule
- Indian Army personnel of World War I
- 1971 deaths
- Military personnel from Karachi
- Karachi Grammar School alumni