Corporal James CUMMING (1000) DCM
B Company, 1/6th (Banff and Donside) Battalion Gordon Highlanders

Date of birth: 18th December 1891
Date of death: 16th March 1915

Died of wounds aged 23
Buried at Merville Communal Cemetery, Plot II, Row H Grave 5
James Cumming was born at Archiestown on the 18th of December 1891 the son of Charles Cumming, a shoemaker, and Isabella Cumming of Archiestown.

He worked as a journeyman shoe maker and was living at Coretorphine in Midlothian before enlisting at Huntly in August 1914. He was sent for training at Bedford. He landed with his battalion in France at Le Havre on the 10th of November 1914.

On the 10th of March 1915 the 1/6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders was in reserve for an attack on Neuve Chappelle. They had been in the old British front line in support of the main attack but heavy shelling caused 25 casualties and they were withdrawn to the reserve line. James Cumming was one of the casualties and he died of his wounds six days later.

For his actions that day he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the citation for which appeared in the London Gazette on the 3rd of June 1915 and read: -

"For the gallantry displayed at Neuve Chappelle from 10th of March to 14th March 1915. Rendered conspicuously good service in the command of his section while exposed to shellfire."

An officer wrote: -
"He was a most exemplary young fellow and deep sympathy is extended to his relatives."

He is commemorated on the war memorial at Huntly.
Archiestown

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