222586 Pte. Matthew Maughan Cummings British Army 18th (Durham Pals) Battalion Durham Light Infantry from:Sacriston, Durham (d.28th July 1916) My great grand uncle Matthew Cummings enlisted on the 24th September 1914 at the age of 24 years 7 months and joined up with the 18th Battalion for training on the 10th October 1914 at Cocken Hall, Durham. Upon completion of field training the battalion were dispatched for front line action in Egypt on the 6th December 1915 until the 4th March 1916. On the 5th March 1916 they left for France and on the 28th July 1916 Matthew’s live was cut short at the Battle of the Somme whilst under heavy bombardment a shell hit the trench they were in. He was aged 26.
Sometime after his father, William, received a letter from Matthew’s commanding officer, which was written from his hospital bed:
"I am writing to tell you of how awfully sorry to hear of your son’s death. I am sure it will be a great blow to you. I heard about it by letter some days ago sent to me by one of my men. I had sent your son some cigarettes and they received them the day he was killed. Your son was my batman for four months at the front and I can truthfully say he was the best one I had ever had. Further he was a brave boy and |I liked him very much indeed, and was very cut up when I had the news sent to me of his death. With deepest sympathy, in your sad loss.
Yours truly,
Second Lieutenant James B Bradford"
|