2507 Private
1/7th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 10th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division
Age: 24
Date of Death: 24.5.15
Buried: Menin Gate Panel 42 & 44
Family history: Son of Robert and Christina Cumming of South Westfield Farm, Airth. He had four brothers, one of whom was serving, and two sisters who were married.
He enlisted in September 1914 and went with the Battalion to France arriving there on 15 December 1914.
The action leading to his death
On the 24 May 1915, the Battalion was in the thick of the fighting in what became known as ‘The Second Battle of Ypres.’ They were in the line near the village of Wieltje at ‘Shell Trap Farm’ an area they had been in since the ill fated 10th Brigade counterattack on 25 April 1915.
(Linesman Map)
On the 24 May the Germans attacked the British line with heavy shell fire and poison gas. The War Diary recorded:
As a result of the gas attack 200 men had to leave the trenches. The trenches were heavily shelled all day with 2 officers and 9 men killed. On the night of the 24th the Battalion (5 officers and 84 men) was relieved and moved back to the Dug Outs at the Canal Bank at No.2 Pontoon Bridge.
Medals Awarded
1915 Star, The British War Medal, Victory Medal.
