Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Bruce as he was also know, attenden the Freshwater and Mount Garnet Primary Schools and then went to the Brisbane Boys Grammar as a boarder for his secondary education. He finished school during the war years and returned home to the family in Mount Garnett. He enjoyed his teenage years in Mount Garnett spending his leisure time in the bush hunting and fishing and trying his hand at prospecting. Like his Father, Bruce, also joined the DVC and served in the 18th Battalion with his Dad. He enlisted at Mount Garnett on the 5th of October 1943 and was officially discharged on the 21st May 1945, the same day as his father. He had tried to enlist in the AIF but was classified as working iin an essential industry - tin was vital to the war effort - so was excluded from entry.

Bruce did an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner with the Tableland Tin Dredge Mining Company in Mount Garnett earning the princely sum of 17/6d a week. In 1949 electrical rolls he is living at home in Cairns with his parents on the Cairns Esplanade, giving that occupation. He apparently was working for Gilbarco - a firm that installed and maintained petrol bowsers. He travelled all over the north in this position. Bruce then decided that he wanted to be a Marine Engineer, and went to Sydney to study. After he qualified, he joined the Adelaide Steamship Company staying with them until he became quite ill with Marine Typhus or Wheels Disease. It was never fully diagnosed. By the 1954 Electoral roll he is again living with his parents in Cairns with his occupation as Marine Engineer.

After recovering from his illness be went sleeper cutting up on the Tablelands with his best mate George Michilios. During this time he met and married Daphne Rosalie Robinson. They then moved to Tully for a period before returning to Mount Garnett where they became the Owners of the Ampol Fuel Depot there supplying fuel to all that northern inland area and doing general carrying around the Mount Garnett area. He also did the mail run to the outlying stations, His daughter Robyn, says that they would load up on Tuesday and leave on Wednesday possibly delivering fuel to these stations as well.

Rosalie, Bruce's wife, was born in Mount Garnett. She was one of 16 children, 10 Girls and 6 Boys. Unfortunately Rosalie was fatally in a traffic accident on the 4th July 1968 along with their youngest child of 6, whom was 21months old at the time.

Two years after Daphne's death Bruce met and Married Kay Williamson. She had been previously married to Baker by who she had two Children. After they had their son, they then adopted each others children.

Kay then ran the business alongside Bruce, where they would work long hard hours, and barely took any time off.

Unfortunately Bruce contracted cancer, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. And sadly passed away and the young age of 63.

His adopted daughter writes:

"Bruce Cummings is the only father I have ever had. He is the best man I have ever known. He had a lot of courage, determination and love for life and his family. He was a quiet, kind, unassuming man, always considerate of others and inspired people to think.  He was never a drinker or a smoker. He was at home most with his family, tinkering with the engines and being in the bush. Most people don't reach the same level of patience and endurance this man had for life.  He was always respected and loved by many - especially his family"