Arthur Edward Cumming
Lieutenant-Colonel (later Brigadier), Commanding the 2nd/12th Battalion Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army
- Register No.
- 284 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant-Colonel (later Brigadier) (register: Lieutenant-Colonel) all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- Commanding the 2nd/12th Battalion Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army all Frontier Force Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 3 January 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- : 20th February 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Born
- 18th June 1896 at Karachi, India
- Died
- 10th April 1971 at Edinburgh
- Memorial / grave
- Sanctum Crypt, St Luke's Church, Chelsea, London
Digest of citation
One 3rd January, 1942 near Kuantan, Malaya, the Japanese and 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stomach he managed to restore the situation sufficiently for the major portion of his battalion and its vehicles to be withdrawn.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 had to withdraw safely
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
CUMMING, Arthur Edward. (reg No.284).
Lieutenant-Colonel (later Brigadier), Commanding the 2nd/12th Battalion Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army.
Gazetted: 20th February 1942.
Born on 18th June 1896 at Karachi, India.
Died on 10th April 1971 at Edinburgh.
Memorial at Sanctum Crypt, St Luke's Church, Chelsea, London.
Digest of Citation reads: One 3rd January, 1942 near Kuantan, Malaya, the Japanese and 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stomach he managed to restore the situation sufficiently for the major portion of his battalion and its vehicles to be withdrawn.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 had to withdraw safely.
Additional information:. Brigadier Cumming held the Order of the British Empire (O B E) and the Military Medal (M M). From 1944-47 he commanded the Sub- area of Dehra Dun. He became Superintendent of Police in Cyprus from 1956-59.
Additional information
Brigadier Cumming held the Order of the British Empire (O B E) and the Military Medal (M M). From 1944-47 he commanded the Sub- area of Dehra Dun. He became Superintendent of Police in Cyprus from 1956-59.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Sanctum Crypt, St Luke's Church, Chelsea, London
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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