Cumming, Donald Ferguson

5833 Corporal Donald Ferguson Cumming - 28th Battalion AIF

Donald Ferguson Cumming was born in Williamstown Victoria on the 14th February 1892 to George and Annie Cumming. He was one of seven siblings with, Andrew 1893, George 1893, Gilbert 1895, Edith 1898, David 1900 and Colin 1903.

The family moved to Fremantle WA in the 1900's and took up residence in John Street North Fremantle. Donald completed his education in Fremantle and after leaving school he found employment as a mill hand in the country.

On the 14th April 1916 Donald enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force in Fremantle. He was passed as fit for service with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 6 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 133lbs;

Chest Measurement - 34-36 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Dark Brown.

Upon his successful enlistment Donald was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to no.64 Training Depot. He spent a few weeks there training and on the 3rd May 1916 was transferred into the 16th Reinforcements to the 28th Battalion AIF.

He trained with them in WA for the next five months while they waited for their embarkation orders to arrive. On the 10th October 1916 Donald and his group entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Suffolk. The ship then set sail for England, reaching Plymouth on the 2nd December 1916.

After being disembarked Donald and his group were sent to the 7th Training battalion at Rollestone on the Salisbury Plains. After two weeks in camp Donald fell ill and was sent to the 3rd London General Hospital. He remained here till the 1st January 1917. He was then sent to No.1 Command Depot Camp at Perham Downs and spent the next fortnight here. He then returned to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone.

On the 8th February Donald was admitted to Fargo Military Hospital suffering from influenza. He was there for five days but was then transferred to Sutton Veny Hospital. He remained there till the 20th March 1917.

Donald was now returned to the 7th Training Battalion but his fitness was downgraded which meant that he was not fit to be sent to the Western Front. On the 8th November 1917 Donald was transferred to the 6th Training Battalion.

While he was in England in 1917 he met a girl who hew as soon to marry. On the 22nd December 1917 in England he married Jessie Elizabeth Burow and a daughter Pamela was born in England in 1918, followed by Ronald in 1920 and Beryl in 1923.

When he joined the 6th Training Battalion Donald joined the camp staff and he remained with them till April 1918 when he was transferred for duty to the 5th Training battalion at Fovant. He was still here when the Armistice was announced in November 1918.

Donald remained in England working in the camps till May 1919.

On the 8th August 1919, Donald, Jessie and Pamela boarded the transport ship Katoomba and set sail for Australia, arriving at Fremantle on the 15th September 1919.

Donald was discharged from the AIF on the 31st October 1919.

After returning from the war and staying for a short time in North Fremantle, Donald and the family them went out farming at Carnamah. Carnamah is in the mid west region of WA over 300 kilometres north of Perth.

In 1928 the family took a trip back to England and after they returned they moved to the suburb Victoria Park. Donald was a taxi owner for a few years. They then moved to Carnarvon Street Victoria Park and Donald was now working as a timberman. They would live in Victoria Park for the next forty years.

During World War Two Donald enlisted into the Australian Army on the 24th June 1940. He was accepted as fit for service and was given the regimental number W244002. 

Donald was assigned to the Training Depot Staff at Northam Army Camp and he remained there till the 15th June 1942. He was then transferred to the 26th Labour Company and worked at places like Narrogin and other country areas.

On the 11th August 1943 Donald was temporarily attached to the 55th Anti Aircraft Battery at Attadale and in October 1943 was sent to the 59th Supply Depot at Melville Army Camp.

In February 1944 he was sent to Merredin and worked at an offshoot of the 59th Supply Depot. In May 1944 he was detached for duty at the 7th Supply Depot at Colgar. He then returned to the 26th Works Company in July 1944. He was then discharged a week later in August 1944.

He then returned home to Victoria Park and resumed his work as a timberman.

Donald died on the 10th may 1971 in Victoria Park WA aged 80. He was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.