World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born Karachi, India, he served as a Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army. On January 3, 1942, the Japanese made a full out attack on the Indian Army battalion position near Kuantan, Malaya. Lieutenant Colonel Cumming, with a small party of men, immediately led a counter-attack. Although all his men became casualties and himself with bayonet wounds, he managed to restore the situation. He enabled a major portion of the battalion and its vehicles to be withdrawn.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 actions helped the brigade to withdraw. For most prestigious gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was promoted Colonel and awarded the Victoria Cross on February 17, 1942. In 1947, he retired a Brigadier General in command of the Dehra Dun District, India and presented an Order of the British Empire. He died at age 74 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. Born Karachi, India, he served as a Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army. On January 3, 1942, the Japanese made a full out attack on the Indian Army battalion position near Kuantan, Malaya. Lieutenant Colonel Cumming, with a small party of men, immediately led a counter-attack. Although all his men became casualties and himself with bayonet wounds, he managed to restore the situation. He enabled a major portion of the battalion and its vehicles to be withdrawn.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 actions helped the brigade to withdraw. For most prestigious gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was promoted Colonel and awarded the Victoria Cross on February 17, 1942. In 1947, he retired a Brigadier General in command of the Dehra Dun District, India and presented an Order of the British Empire. He died at age 74 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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