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Charles Edward Cummins (1871-1958)


Bishop Auckland printer and stationer served twice in the DLI awarded the DSO


Charles Edward Cummins, the son of William John and Jane Cummins, was born in Bishop Auckland on 1 August 1871. He had five brothers and a sister and lived most of his life in Bishop Auckland. On 26 July 1899 he joined the 2nd Volunteer Battalion Durham Light Infantry as a second lieutenant. By 1901 he and his brother, William, had taken over the family printing and stationery business after the death of their father. In 1903 he was promoted to lieutenant. On 20 September 1903 he married Mary Stratford Hall in Bishop Auckland and they had two children. In April 1904 he was promoted to captain and was transferred to the 2nd Battalion. In 1908, he was transferred to the 6th Battalion and in 1913 to the Reserve.

Charles is still shown as working in the family business in 1911, but after the outbreak of war he re-enlisted as a temporary major in the 12th Battalion DLI and landed in France on 25 August 1915. During that year he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and, early in 1917, was mentioned in despatches. On 29 June 1917 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in command of the 11th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment but was replaced on 19 July. He relinquished his commission on 19 June 1919 and returned to the family printers and stationers as a director.

Civil Parish: Bishop Auckland

Birth date: 1-Aug-1871

Death date: 13-Jun-1958

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 2 Clarence Villas, Bishops Auckland (1881 & 1901, 1939 Register & England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1958)
6 Victoria Street, Bishop Auckland (1911 Census)

Education: King James’ Grammar School, Bishop Auckland
North East Counties School, Barnard Castle

Organisation membership: Wear Valley, Bishop Auckland Lodge of Freemasons

Employment: Director W.J. Cummins Ltd., Printers & Stationers

Family: Father: William John Cummins
Mother: Jane Cummins (nee Loftus)
Siblings: William Loftus, Thomas Lonsdale, George Turner, Gertrude M, Alfred Phillips (who served in the 6th DLI) & Herbert Waller Cummins (who served in the 4th Yorkshire Hussars and was killed in 1915).
Wife: Mary Stratford Cummins (nee Hall)
Children: Ruth Cummins, Ronald Loftus Cummins

Military service:

2nd, 6th & 12th Battalions Durham Light Infantry
Temporary Major
11th Royal Sussex Regiment
Colonel

Medal(s): Distinguished Service Order
Mentioned in Despatches
1914-1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Coronation Medal (1902)

Gender: Male

Contributed by John Edwards

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