Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James, being the first born and first son for Frances and James Cummings, was named after his father, but was called by his middle name Ralph, probably to avoid confusion. Born in April, 1906, at Belalie in the mid-north of South Australia, Ralph inherited his father’s love of the land, including attending a three-week Farmer’s Winter School at Roseworthy Agricultural College where he represented the young up-coming farmers of the Jamestown District.
Ralph, both from necessity and enjoyment became and outstanding rifle shooter, regularly successfully competing at the Jamestown Rifle Club where his uncle, Joe Cummings had a perpetual trophy in his honour. Joe himself, was a regular and accurate shooter and also a mentor for his nephew. Over 500 yards, as a 24-year-old, Ralph was showing good form scoring 37 in each round, a praiseworthy effort for ‘a young shot’ especially as the winner scored 40. In ensuing competitions over the years and over varying distances, Ralph proved he was "no flash in the pan."
Sylvia Longbottom, who lived at Canowie Belt, captured Ralph’s interest and the two married at Canowie Belt Presbyterian Church in February of 1932. Typically, 100 of the local community organised a surprise Kitchen Evening where dancing, musical and elocutionary items and speeches of congratulation and good wishes were shared before a typical country supper was enjoyed.
Their wedding was a highlight for the close-knit community with girlfriends decorating the church, family playing the organ and singing a duet as Ralph and Sylvia signed the register. As Sylvia’s mother was a widow, her brother acted in the ‘giving away of the bride’ capacity. A detailed description of the dresses, attendants and train bearers appeared in the local paper. After their motoring honeymoon, the young couple returned to Belalie where Ralph continued his successful involvement with the Rifle Club.
Over the demanding 700-yard distance, in 1933 Ralph challenged his Uncle Joe’s fine marksmanship of 70, coming a close third with 69. Described as a ‘fine young shot’ he followed this with second place for the Club handicap with 72, just ahead of his Uncle Joe. Their tussles continued each year with Ralph continuing to challenge his uncle who had been Club Champion for 5 consecutive years. In 1934, Joe only won alter a shoot off with Ralph Cummings, who tied him with 370. In the shoot-off 5 shots, a very exciting tussle took place and excitement was keen when the scores remained tied. The next shot brought a magpie to Ralph and a Bull to Joe, giving Joe the championship – Just! Ralph however, won the Handicap Trophy, with Joe in 4th place. The family rivalry between Ralph and his Uncle Joe was long-running and a highlight for the community. The local paper, Area’s Express in June 1936 reported ‘Joe this year scored 383 out of 400 points, a wonderful performance and a record for the Club. Ralph Cummings was runner-up with 378 points; this young shot has been in brilliant form all the year and is to be congratulated on running second to his uncle. Jamestown Rifle Club has many fine shots and to secure first and second positions in the year's shoot are positions to be proud of, and "Uncle Joe" and "Nephew Ralph" well deserve this honour… Joe Cummings also takes the Gold Handicap Pin on the year's shooting with 37 points and Ralph Cummings was runner-up with 28 points. The shoot at 700 yards was fired in fine weather and Joe Cummings had best score off gun with 75 out of 80. Ralph Cummings secured the pin for the day, counting out John Williams and Joe Cummings, all of whom reached the limit. Good one range totals were, Joe Cummings 39, John Williams 39, Ralph Cummings 37.’Ralp finally toppled Uncle Joe in 1937 with the paper again describing the event; ‘The championship of the above Club for 1937 has been won by Ralph Cummings with the splendid score, 37S out of 400. The fine young shot has been in brilliant form for several seasons, being runner-up last year to Joe Cummings and this year beating the same champion by 6 points. His scores were 200 yds, 70; 300, 74; 500, 78; 600, 77; 700. 73. To win a championship from such a splendid shot as Joe Cummings speaks volumes for his ability to handle a rifle, and he is to he congratulated on being the Club's champion for 1937. The runner-up, Joe Cummings has won the Club Championship many times as well as numerous trophies. . Scores in Championship: — Ralph Cummings 378, Joe Cummings 372. A further stage of the Club Handicap aggregate was fired Saturday, June 12th in wintry conditions, 7 shots at 3, 5 and 6OO yards. Joe Cummings, Ralph Cummings and Herb. Medlin reached the limit of 105, the count back placing them in above positions. Joe and Ralph were again in brilliant form, each scoring 100 off the gun in hard shooting weather. Possibles were recorded by Ralph Cummings at 300 yards and Reg Cummings at 500 yards. Reg is another Cummings who is on the way to become a champion.’ Later that month the report ‘The final shoot of Club Handicap was fired Saturday, June 19th at 3, 5 and 600 yards and some splendid scores were recorded. Ralph Cummings (the Club Champion) was again in brilliant form, scoring 104 out of 105 off the gun, missing the treble possible by a very close inner at 600 yards. This is a record for Jamestown range which is considered one of the hardest in the State. This young shot has had a wonderful season with the rifle, and if given the opportunity would be one of the State’s best shots.’
Ralph also continued to actively support the Belalie Agricultural Society as a joint convenor of the Sheep Stewards for many years – a role that was commented on when Ralph, Sylvia and their young daughter, Jean (Beryl Jean) made the decision to move from their home town to farm at Penola. The local Areas’ Express reported in July 1938 that ‘Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Cummings and their child left Jamestown on Thursday to start their new home near Penola. Mr. Cummings has taken up a 1500-acre block between Penola and Robe, twenty miles west of the former town and intends to carry on sheep breeding. Both these young people were born and brought up at Belalie, their departure will leave a distinct gap in the family and social circle. Mr. Ralph is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Cummings and his wife was Miss Sylvia Longbottom. He was a good worker in the Sheep Section of the Belalie Agricultural Society for some years past. If good wishes of friends will help them on to success in their news venture then they are having a fine start.’
WWII then intervened. Ralph and his brothers, enlisted; Ralph, the oldest on the 23rd April 1942 at Penola; Hartley, the second son at Jamestown on the 27th April, just four days later. Lindsay, the youngest had already enlisted in July 1940. Fortunately, all sons survived the conflict, safely returning home to their young families. Others in their extended family also heeded the call to serve.
Post War, Ralph’s early days at Roseworthy Agricultural College had motivated him to be proactive in his farming methods. When he returned to visit his family four years after his departure, and with his second daughter, Jillian, the local paper reported ‘Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Cummings and their young family of two visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Cummings, at Jamestown, this week. Ralph has taken up a block of grazing land between Penola and Robe which he is developing as a pasture proposition. The Waite Research Institute people are doing some interesting research work on his block because even in the well-watered South East there still remain some problems to be solved.’ Ralph continued to be actively involved in the local community and hosted the Junior Farmers branch of the Wattle Range Agricultural Bureau meeting at his home.
The family received a scare in Spring of 1950 when their Wattle Range property experienced a fire which a number of units attended. Fortunately, the fire was confined to scrub country and was not extensive but a tractor and plough were used in preparing strategic breaks and several vehicles assisted in the carting of water. Damage was confined to fencing and grass land.
Ralph, as he had done at Belalie, continued to support his local community, being one of a small group to volunteer to sow oats on 30 acres of land loaned to the local Penola hospital. In that same year (1952) Ralph increased his productive land by leasing 1,541 acres of land at Penola. He also hosted the Wattle Range Agricultural Bureau where he showed the members over ‘several pastures of different years and rates of sowing. His fields have now come along to the capacity of over 1 ½ sheep per acre and are obviously still improving.’
Ralph had a long, productive life, and died aged 91. Sylvia died just 5 years later, less than a year after her first child, Jean in September 2001. Both parents are remembered at the Penola Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, grand-daughter of Stan and Blanche Cummings