INDIAN ARMY V.C.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 44, 21 February 1942, Page 7

INDIAN ARMY V.C.

HEROISM IN MALAYA

(Rec. 12.50 p.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 20,

The Victoria Cross has been awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel A. E. Cumming, M.C., of the 12th Frontier Force Regiment of the Indian Army.

On January 3 in Malaya, a strong force of the enemy penetrated a position while brigade headquarters and a battalion were being withdrawn. Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming, with a small party, immediately counterattacked and prevented any further penetration of the position until the whole party became casualties, and he himself received two bayonet wounds in the stomach. By this brave counterattack Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming enabled the major portion of the men and vehicles to be withdrawn.

Later,, despite pain and weakness from wounds, he drove in a carrier for over an hour under very heavy fire, collecting isolated detachments. He then received two further wounds, after which, while attempting to collect a further isolated detachment, he lost consciousness and the driver of the carrier attempted to remove him from the locality. Lieutenant-Colonel Cumming, however, recovered consciousness and insisted on remaining where he was, until he discovered that he and the driver were the sole survivors in the locality. He then decided to retire.

By his outstanding gallantry, initiative, and devotion to duty he was largely instrumental in the safe withdrawal of the brigade.—B.O.W.