CUMMING, Douglas Gordon Bruce
| Service Number: | 167915 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 June 1945 |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Seymour, Victoria, Australia, 5 October 1926 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Sydney Technical College, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Cardiomyopathy, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia , 12 August 2009, aged 82 years |
| Cemetery: |
Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, NSW |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 20 Jun 1945: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 167915 | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Jan 1947: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 167915 |
Help us honour Douglas Gordon Bruce Cumming's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
Leading Aircraftman Douglas Gordon Bruce Cumming (Service No:167915) enlisted in the RAAF on 20 June 1945 as an Aircraftman I. He was described in his Attestation Papers as 'quiet, confident and courteous' and 'thoroughly honest, industrious and efficient' (NAA). By 2 February 1946 he was an LAC, mustered as a Medical Clerk. LAC Cumming served at Cootamundra, Adelaide, Sarundel and Sydney and was attached to Eastern Area HQ Bradfield Park when he was discharged on 14 January 1947. Brother Alexander (Service Nos:2590/NX103029) served in the Army, as did his father Alec.
Born in 1926 in Seymour Victoria, Doug was the youngest of two children of Alexander (Alec) Cumming (b1890 in Bridgewater, Victoria) and Jessie Ellen Sallaway (b1891 in Cobar, NSW). Alec (a Soldier) and Jessie married in 1917 in Cobar NSW and lived in South Australia, NSW and Victoria as Alec's Army postings took the family.
Doug started work as a Junior Office Boy with McIlraith's Pty Ltd and was a Clerk with the Metropolitan Sewerage, Water and Drainage Board when he enlisted in 1945. In 1951 in Sydney NSW Doug married Joan Margeurite Turner (b1926 in Adelaide, South Australia) - Joan was a Student in Sydney. Doug and Joan settled in Sydney NSW, where Doug worked as a Clerk and was a Major with the Army Reserve. He was active in the Waverly Historial Society, the Rotary Club and the Uniting Church.
In 1996 in the Queen's Birthday Honours, Doug was awarded an OAM 'for services to the community of the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, particularly through aged care, child care, mothercraft, the Uniting Church and the Waverly Historical Society".
Joan died in 2000 and Doug in 2009.
Biography contributed by Margaret Funnell
Contributed by Margaret Funnell
Doug and Joan moved from Bondi to a new War Servive Estate home in West Pymble in 1958, where they remained until their respective passings. They raised 2 daughters Margaret Anne (b1957) and Barbara Joan (b1961).
Joan worked as a maths teacher at Ravenswood School for Girls until her retirement. She supported Doug in his many community activites such as the CMF, Masonic Lodges, Rotary and his work as an elder at McNeil Presyterian Chuch, Bondi Junction. (where they married).
Doug joined the CMF in his early 30's and grew to the rank of Major. He was very committed to this cause.
Doug was very proud of his community and charity activities, and remained an active member of many of them until his passing. He was a long term Masonic Lodge member in the eastern Suburbs and served as Grand Master twice. He very much enjoyed being an active member of the Waverley Historical Society. Doug was also extremely knowledgeable about much of Sydney's history.
Doug was very proud of his daughters, his son's in law, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren as of 2024.
Click images to start slideshow.