Cumming, Robert Melville

No.113 – L/Cpl Robert Melville Cumming MM – 44^th Battalion AIF

Robert Melville Cumming was born in Fremantle in 1890 to Duncan and Margaret Cumming. He grew up in Tuckfield Street and he was also educated at Fremantle Boys School. Unlike Wallace it doesn’t appear that Robert served in the Citizens Military Forces. After leaving school, Robert began work for the WA Government Railways and this work took him around the state. In 1913 Robert married Ellen Nielsen and they set up residence in Albany, with a son, Melville Nielsen Cumming being born in January 1914. At this stage Robert was working as a Fireman on the railways and was based in Kalgoorlie so Ellen moved there. However when he enlisted in the AIF, she returned to reside in Albany.

Robert enlisted into the AIF in Kalgoorlie on the 11^th January 1916. He was found to be fit for service with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as; 5 feet 8 inches in height; weight of 135lbs; chest measurement of 31-34 inches; dark complexion; brown eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.

Robert was then sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was initially assigned to the 10^th Reinforcements to the 28^th Battalion. On the 1^st March he was transferred into No.22 Training Depot. He had two weeks here and on the 15^th March was sent to No.50 Training Depot. Robert was then transferred to Claremont Showgrounds Camp and on the 1^st April 1916 he was assigned to the 1^st Reinforcements to the 44^th Battalion. He trained for this group for the next two months but on the 1^st June he was transferred into “A” Company of the 44^th Battalion. Five days later the 44^th Battalion departed Fremantle Harbour aboard the HMAT Suevic. The journey to England took several weeks and they finally berthed at Plymouth on the 21^st July 1916.

For the next several months the 44^th Battalion were training on the Salisbury Plains in England. During this time Robert would have been trained hard though he was also given leave to see the sights of England. On the 25^th November 1916 the 44^th Battalion departed from England aboard a troopship for France. They were initially sent to the Armentieres sector where they would remain through Christmas of 1916. In February 1917 Robert was detached for duty with a Railway Construction party.

In March 1917 the 44^th Battalion were transferred to the Ploegsteert sector of southern Belgium. They would undertake a couple of raids on the German trenches in the next few months as a lead in to the Messines offensive. On the 8^th June Robert was wounded during the 44^th Battalion’s part in the offensive though fortunately it was not a serious wound and he remained on duty. The 44^th Battalion would remain in this Messines sector for the next few months and on the 4^th July 1917 Robert was wounded by shrapnel through the buttocks. After treatment at the Field Ambulance Robert was sent to the 11^th CCS and after a short stay in hospital in France he was shipped to England. Fortunately Robert did not have a long stay under medical care as on the 2^nd August he was given a fortnight’s furlough. On the 20^th August Robert reported to No.1 Command Depot at Perham Downs Camp. He was medically examined and classed as not yet medically fit enough to return so he stayed at the base for the next few weeks. His health improved quickly and he was given the consent to return to France. On the 17^th September Robert shipped out from England and on arrival in France was sent to the 3^rd Australian Division Base Depot at Rouelles. He only had a short time here as on the 25^th September Robert rejoined the 44^th Battalion in Belgium. On the 4^th October he took part in the Battalion’s action at Broodseinde Ridge and came through unscathed but on the 12^th October 1917 he was wounded for the third time in the war during the advance on Passchendaele when he was hit by shrapnel in the face and back. Fortunately the wounds weren’t serious but they necessitated a month’s stay in hospital and a convalescent depot. Robert rejoined the 44^th Battalion on the 17^th November 1917.

The 44^th Battalion remained in the front line Warneton sector in southern Belgium through the 1917/18 winter. When the Germans launched their spring offensive on the 21^st March 1918 they broke through the 3^rd & 5^th British Armies and were making a speedy advance towards Amiens. The 3^rd and 4^th Australian divisions were sent south to combat this threat and the 44^th Battalion came into contact with the Germans on March 28^th near Sailly-le-Sec. For the next two months Robert and his battalion helped to defend the Amiens front from continuous German assaults.

The Australians began to hit back at the Germans and on July 4^th 1918 the 44^th Battalion were heavily involved in the recapture of Hamel. Robert came through the initial assault unscathed but in response to the capture of the village the Germans launched a counter attack and severe bombardment. This German assault had initial success but they were soon pushed out of their gains. Robert was wounded for the fourth time in the war when he was evacuated due to gas exposure from the German shelling. After treatment at the 4^th Field Ambulance he was sent along to the 12^th CCS. Fortunately it was not a severe case of gas exposure and on the 15^th July Robert rejoined his unit.

The 44^th Battalion would play a large role in the advance of August 8^th against the Germans. They took their objectives and they would follow up the German retirement. The 44^th’s next main action was in late August when they battalion was involved in the capture of Bray and Curlu. Robert was noticed for his bravery in these actions and he was recommended for the Military Medal. The official recommendation reads;

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the advance from 22^nd to 26^th August 1918. On the morning of the 26^th August 1918 during the advance east of Bray, the Company was held up by direct frontal fire from an enemy 77m gun. Private Cummings then went forward in advance of his Company and single handed rushed the gun, which was firing at point blank range, killed the gunner and captured the gun. This courageous act enabled the Company to push forward to its final objective with a minimum of casualties.’

Robert would receive the Military Medal for this action.

Through early September the 44^th Battalion continued with their advance, though they were soon relieved and were able to rest at village of Doingt. The Battalion was still at rest here when Robert was granted a two week furlough. He rejoined the 44^th Battalion on the 5^th October 1918, just after their last attack of the war occurred on the Hindenburg Line. Robert was now appointed Lance Corporal and no doubt a few celebrations occurred when news of his military medal award now came through. A few days later the Armistice was announced and more celebrations began.

Due to his experience on the Railways, Robert was now transferred into the 5^th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company. He served with this unit through to the end of April 1919, though he did have a furlough in Paris in February 1919.

On the 1^st May 1919 Robert left France and after arriving in England he was sent to Codford Camp. He would only have a month in the UK as on the 1^st June 1919 Robert boarded the HMAT Somali and set sail for Australia, disembarking in Fremantle on the 8^th July 1919. Robert was discharged from the AIF on the 22^nd August 1919.

Robert returned to live in Albany, but would later return to live in Marmion Street East Fremantle.