Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Friday 27 June 1919, page 8


THE BRAVE PIONEERS.

THE OLD SPIRIT REMAINS.

DESCENDANTS IN THE WAR.

The blood of the brave pioneers of South

Australia still runs warm in the veins of their descendants. One of the earliest settlers in the South-East was Mr. Harry Jones, of Binnum station, near Narracoorte, who, with his brother, Mr. Derwas Jones, sent the first mob of cattle from that dis-trict into Adelaide by the Coorong route. Sons and grandsons of Mr. Harry Jones highly distinguished themselves in the last war, and one of the grandsons laid down his life for the cause of liberty. The mibjoined record is one of which any family may be justly proud:

Redmond Harry Owen Cumming was born in this State, but enlisted as a pri-vate in Western Australia in September, 1914. in the 16th Battalion. He become a lance-corporal in a machine gun section, and won his commission for valor at Best Gully, Gallipoli, in May, 1915. He partici-pated in the historic landing at Anzac Cove. He was taken prisoner on April 11, 1916, and spent 22 months in Germany, and was repatriated to Western Australia in May, 1919, when he rejoined his wife and three little sons, the youngest of whom was born

wilst he was on Galipoli. He returned   to Australia with the rank of captain.

Derwas Goring Cumming, bom at Milli-cent, also enlisted in September 1914, as a driver. He served on Gallipoli with the l6th Battalion, having been claimed by his elder brother, Redmond, and on his return to Egypt after the evacuation was given a commission in the 48th Battalion. He saw much service in France. was wounded at Pozieres, gained the Military Cross at Messines, and the bar to the Cross at Albert, in April. 1918. He was killed at the decisive battle of Villers-Bretonneux on May 3, 1918, while holding the rank of captain, at the age of 27. He was educated at the Christian Brothers' College, Perth, where he was champion athlete of his college and of the combined schools in his year. Then he went to Trinity College, Melbourne Uni

versity.

These brave officers were sons of Mrs. Cumming, a daughter of Mr. Harry

Jones of Binnum. Her elder brother,     Colonel Caton Jones C.B., of the Royal Army Medical Corps, was second in com- mand of the Havre Base Hospital, France. He saw service in two campaigns, and was in Ladysmith at the time of the famous siege. He was a personal attendent to the late Duke of Clárence during his tour through India. Her youngest brother General M D Goring Jones, CMG com- manded the 149th Division on the Somme with distinction. He was badly gassed, and his life is still in danger through the terrible effects of the German poison gas. Mrs Cumming's youngest son, Caton Cum- ming, is second officer of the hospital transport, Dongala of the P & O Com- pany's fleet and he is entitled to wear five chervons on his sleeve for transport work. Mrs Cumming herself was busily engaged in recruiting work in Brisbane for some months. She now resides in Melbourne.

General Sir Birdwood wrote thus to Captain Derwas Cumming on May 11 1918 - Dear Cumming, I write to send you my heartiest congratulations on the award     of a bar to the Military Cross which you have so thoroughly well earned by your conspicuous gallantry and ability in command of the flank company during the operations at Albert on April 5. Subsiquent to your success in beating off the a series of attacks by the enemy the

right was forced to withdraw, when you protected the left with company, and brought very heavy fire to bear on the Germans, practically at right angles to our line, thus affording material assistance to the companies on your right. You continued to fight a brilliant rearguard action until the remainder of the batalion had been established in a new position and then sucessfully withdrew your company

in accordance with orders. Your excellent leadership and determined action

undoubtedly saved many casualties, and your fine example of courage and coolness was invaluable to your men who fought so well under trying condition. With my kind regards and many thanks for vour

good work '

Colonel J. Robertson wrote thus "In the field July 6 1917. My dear Cumming I am delighted to a see in todays Divisional Orders that you have been awarded the Military Cross Please ac- cept my hearty congratulations. You have brought honor on your battalion and the brigade. To have been in the battle of Messines could make any man proud, to have gained the MC in that operation is something that will be remembered for more than one generation. I wish you the best of luck and trust you will be long spared to wear your ribbon and fight for

the brigade.

Major General W. Holmes, C M G , D.S.O. , VD Commanding 4th Australian Division, in a general order, congratulations Captain D. C. Cumming 48th Batallion on

his gallantry and ability at Messines on

June 7 and June 9.