This site commemorates the life of Gunner Joseph Cummings, 1st Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery, who died in 1943 in the battle of Sicily, defending his country. He is buried in Syracuse War Cemetery, Sicily.
He served on the merchant navy ship MV Fishpool, a cargo ship which was sunk on 23rd July 1943.
I was intrigued to find an article I wrote for the Lochwinnoch village newsletter used in this web-site. The article followed the death of my father, Capt Geoffrey Tharme of the Maritime Regiment – he was the last surviving member of the regiment in the village. Some info and photographs from the time the regiment barracks were located in Lochwinnoch are in my possession.
Adrian – thanks for getting in touch. Of course, you know what I am going to ask next: does any of the information you have contain references to what happened on the Fishpool, or any other information regarding the personnel? Thanks – Robert Cummings
I’m afraid not. My father was never forthcoming on his war experience. I therefore know very very little. Sorry I can’t help.