Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Lindsay was the youngest of four children and third son of James and Francis Cummings of Belalie in the Mid-north of South Australia. He was born on January 10th 1915. As was typical in country towns everyone assisted in local activities and Lindsay was no exception. He and his extended family were active in the preparation and running of the annual Jamestown Show. Lindsay was readily involved in a broad range of activities ranging from Working Bees to remove and re-erecting new Show Ring fencing and boundary fence putting up horse yards and hitching rails. On the day of the Show he then turned his hand to be in charge of parking.
All three sons enlisted to serve in WWII. James (Ralph), the oldest on the 23rd April 1942 at Penola; Hartley, the second son at Jamestown on the 27th April, just four days later. All were married and with families when they enlisted. These must have been stressful and anxious timed for their wives and parents.
Lindsay was a keen young non-com in the 9/23rd L.H. Regiment. He met Phoebe, the attractive eldest daughter of Alfred and Ethel Dobson in Adelaide and their friendship quickly blossomed with him attending her 21st Birthday Celebrations in March 1937 at the popular Maple Leaf Café. Phoebe had already successfully gained a Credit in her studies of Invalid Cookery the previous year. Lindsay enlisted on the 13th July 1940 in Adelaide, becoming SN SX 8817. With Lindsay serving as a Sergeant in the 2nd AIF, he and Phoebe were engaged in August 1940 and married on November 25th of the same year at the Gartrell Memorial Church in Rose Park. He nominated his young wife, Phoebe as his next of kin. Lindsay became a Lieutenant before finally being discharge on 19th February 1943.
Lindsay attended Officers' Training School at Bonegilla, near Albury, Victoria and was recommended for a commission. He returned home to Belalie East in March 1941 where his friends organised a good social evening for him. With a number of other local young men serving, the community Jamestown Cheer Up Club coordinated a large welcome home in July of 1942, including presentations, for Lieutenant Lindsay and his compatriots who had returned from overseas. These honoured guests were escorted into the hall and presented to the Mayor. Patriotic singing of the National Anthem was followed by a formal welcome by the Mayor in appreciation of the considerable sacrifices being made by these soldiers. Sincere, heartfelt wishes were also extended for a safe and happy return home after the war was won. The traditional community singing, recitations and dances followed with representatives from the church and R.S.A. then presenting a money-filled wallet, as well as cigarettes to Lindsay and his companions. As had become tradition, The Song of Australia and Auld Lang Syne concluded the formal portion of the programme, which was then followed by dancing.
Post War, Lindsay, Phoebe and their two daughters, Judith and Pamela moved to Victoria. Aged just 55, Lindsay died in Victoria on October 29th 1970.
Written and researched by Kaye Lee granddaughter of Stan and Blanche Cummings