Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force), 28th Indian Brigade, 7th (Meerut) Division, British Army

Awarded on:

November 7th, 1918

Citation:
"For conspicuous gallantry and skilful leadership in an attack on a redoubt. He led the advance party round the rear of the redoubt, and engaged the retreating enemy in a hand-to-hand fight, which resulted in half of them being killed or captured.
Later, when the enemy counter-attacked, he seized a Lewis gun, and under heavy enemy barrage engaged them in the open. His fine example of courage greatly encouraged his men, who drove back the counter-attack with loss.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant-Colonel

Unit:

2/12th Frontier Force Regiment, 22nd Indian Infantry Brigade, 9th Indian Infantry Division, British Indian Army

Awarded on:

February 20th, 1942

Citation:
"On the 3rd January, 1942, in Malaya, a strong force of the enemy penetrated the position while Brigade Headquarters and a Battalion were being withdrawn. Lieutenant-Colonel Gumming with a small party of men immediately counter-attacked the enemy and prevented any further penetration of the position until his whole party had become casualties, and he himself had received two bayonet wounds in the stomach. By this brave counter-attack Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming enabled the major portion of our men and vehicles to be withdrawn. Later, in spite of pain and weakness from his wounds, this officer drove in a carrier for more than an hour under very heavy fire collecting isolated detachments of our men. He then received two further wounds, after which and while attempting to collect a further isolated detachment, he lost consciousness and the driver of the carrier attempted to evacuate him. Lieutenant-Colonel Gumming, however, recovered consciousness and insisted on remaining where he was until he discovered that he and his driver were the sole survivors in the locality. He then decided to retire
By his outstanding gallantry, initiative and devotion to duty, he was largely instrumental in the safe withdrawal of the Brigade."

Lieutenant Colonel Cumming’s Victoria Cross is publicly displayed at the National Army Museum in Chelsea, Great Britain.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Brigadier

Unit:

2/12th Frontier Force Regiment, 22nd Indian Infantry Brigade, 9th Indian Infantry Division, British Indian Army

Awarded on:

June 1st, 1943

Part 1:
"Lieutenant-Colonel A.E. Cumming, V.C., M.C., with eight British and three Indian officers of the 9th Jat Regiment with a handful of their men, avoided capture for some days after the fall of Singapore. It was decided that the Indian other ranks should break up into small parties and escape.

Living on pinneapples, mangoes and a store of tinned meat found in a deserted post, the twelve officers carefully made their way to the coast, where they lived on a junk which they had found. As the Japanese were searching the coast they arranged with a Malay to transport them to a neighboring island. Having seized two sampans the twelve officers embarked in them and narrowly escaped being caught by Japanese motor boats and mine sweepers. One sampan was wrecked on reaching another island. The party set off again, having found a boat to replaced the wrecked one, and after passing through a terrific storm, reached yet another island where they were most hospitably entertained by the Dutch. Two Chinamen volunteered to take them from this island to the mainland of Sumatra.

While travelling round the coast in a motor launch they were attacked by a Japanese aircraft. One Indian officer was wounded by machine-gun fire and he was left in Sumatra.

After staying two days in Sumatra the Party, with the exception of the wounded Indian officer, embarked in a steamer for Colombo, where they arrived on the 14th March, 1942."

Part 2:
"Sir,

I have the honour the forward herewith for your information, a report on the escape from Singapore of a party of officers and other ranks of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Jat Regiment under the leadership of Lieut. Colonel (now T/Brigadier) A.E. Cumming, V.C., M.C., 12th Frontier Force Regiment.

I have carefully considered the question of the grant of awards to members of the above party with particular reference to the yardstick set out in your telegram No. 77503 dated 4th November, 1942, and I recommend:
(1) that Lt. Col. Cumming, who was undoubtedly the organizer and leader of the party, be awarded the O.B.E. (Military Division).

Etc.

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)