1914/15 Star, British War & Victory Medals named 16999 PTE A CUMMINS ESSEX R.
Arthur George Cummins born in 1896 in Great Catworth, Huntingdon and lived in Reading on a small holding with his family in 1911, before moving to Boxted, Essex. He enlisted into the Essex Regiment numbered 16999 at Boxted, Essex. After training he was sent to Gallipoli and landed on 31st July 1915 with the 1st Battalion.
On the 6th Aug 1915 the regiment was ordered to attack and take Hiza Hiz and trenches nearby. The regiment walked into machine guns and artillery fire and were decimated but took the first trench. The Turks immediately counter attacked with bombs and bayonets and by now the regiment was too weak to hold the captured trenches and at daybreak withdrew.
The casualties were very heavy 13 officers killed or missing, 217 other ranks killed or missing with 202 wounded. Among the missing was Arthur, who was eventually presumed killed in action aged 19 years old.
He has no grave but is remembered on the Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery and St Peters WW1 Memorial in Earley, Reading.
Son of George Cummins, of 38, Straight Rd, Boxted, Essex.
See brother Charles Cummins Essex Regt KIA medal.
