Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Cyril was the third son of eight children born to Henry and Sarah Cummings of Minvalara. Many of the family were musical including Cyril who went to Yatina dances where he played his accordion and violin. A romance ensued between Cyril and Gertie (Vera Gertrude Jeff) resulting in their marriage at the Jeff’s home in Yatina on the 8th November 1921. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev Cowley of Yongala. Gertie’s attendant was her youngest sister, Edie and Cyril was attended by his eldest brother, Perce.

The couple settled in a rented cottage where Cyril did share farming, shearing and road works. Four children were born to Cyril and Gertie between 1922 and 1927.

In 1929 Cyril took Section 19 in the Hundred of Cootra on Central Eyre Peninsula. A friend, Ben Budden accompanied Cyril on a three day journey by T ford truck, taking a steel wheeled Fordson tractor to commence clearing the land. After the government tanks and shed were erected, Cyril made a home of the shed, which was quite primitive, then brought Gertie and the children to settle at Cootra.

Gertie tried to make a home the best she could in the harsh and lonely conditions. It was very hard – there was little money even for food. In 1930 her fifth child was born at Wudinna. Gertie developed a depressive illness and was admitted to hospital in Adelaide on the 22nd February 1932. The children were taken into care by relatives at Peterborough, Yongala, Jamestown and Mannanarie.

Two of the children, Joyce and Gordon later returned to the West Coast to their father. Thelma remained at Mannanarie with Uncle Fred and Myrtle (Cyril’s sister) Jeffs. Colin stayed on with his Uncle Perce at Peterborough. Cyril’s farm fell victim to the Depression but he remained in the Warramboo District working as a builder and shearer earning one pound and 5 shillings per hundred, blade shearing until he enlisted in the 2nd AIF in 1940 with several others from the district. They served in the Middle East for several years.

Gertie was discharged from hospital on the 29th September 1943 but passed away on 7th July 1959. She is buried at Centennial Park.

Cyril married a second time to Rachel Arbon, having a second family of eight children. The youngest, Phil Cummings, a talented children’s author has drawn on his family background for several books, including Danny Allen was Here and the sensitively written story, Anzac Biscuits based on the effects of war on a family concerned about the fate of those who worry about their fathers, brothers, sons and uncles involved in World War II. 

While the wife and daughter bake Anzac biscuits to send overseas, the Father is fighting a war. When the biscuits finally arrive a note from his daughter is enclosed, encapsulating the love and care from his family.

Compiled by Kaye Lee (great niece) with information provided by Vera Gertrude Jeffs