Colin Edward Cumming was killed on this day in 1915

Colin was born in Stafford in March 1880. His parents were Robert (a bank manager) and Margaret (née Duff). He was one of six children. The family, and three domestic servants, lived at 40 Greengate Street in Stafford. 

From 1902-7, Colin attended the Royal High School in Edinburgh. In 1907, he was awarded the "Dux medal" (given to the student with the highest academic achievement in the whole year)  and was a gold medallist in Latin, Greek and French.

He subsequently attended Edinbugh University where he qualified with an MA with first-class honours in Classical Literature in 1911. At university, he was an active member of the O.T.C. and got his commission in the R.F.A. Reserve on 16 September 1909.

Colin took the Indian Civil Service Examination but was offered an engineering cadetship in the Transvaal gold-mining industry. He worked for a year in South Africa until the outbreak of war when he returned to Britain. On 22 September 1914, he was gazetted and soon selected as Adjutant. He was initially appointed to 103rd Battery stationed in Winchester but, in January 1915, he accompanied the Battery to the front at Ypres.

On the evening of the 24th of February 1915, his battery had taken shelter in the dug-outs by their guns, having been shelled for some time before that. Their dugout was hit and when Major Hope, himself wounded, became conscious, Colin was trying to help him out of the debris when another shell arrived and they were both knocked senseless. Colin died during the night in hospital in Poperinghe, never having regained consciousness.

After his death, he was gazetted to full Lieutenant with effect from 8 December 1914.

Major Hope recovered and wrote this to Colin’s parents:

“Not only a most trusted and capable subaltern, but also a personal friend for whom I had formed a most deep and intimate affection. Your son rendered his country most admirable service, and was an invaluable help to me. He died gallantly doing his duty.”

He is buried in the Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery.

Lieut. Colin Edward Cumming 103rd Battery, Royal Field Artillery