This photograph was taken at Gee H. Rowland and Son, photographers, 29, King Street, Oldham. The Royal Artillery cap badge can be clearly seen. I am not sure why he went to Oldham for this when he lived in Withington, Manchester
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Nazareth 1942
Nazareth – by Joseph Peter Cummings – 1943
‘Mid dust-cloud and fumes the bus grinds to a still
Unloads, then reloads, and has roared up the hill.
And softly peace steals to the sun-soaked white walls
And a deep, holy hush over Nazareth falls.
There’s a cool, quiet church standing near to the road;
‘Tis built o’er the place where once Jesus abode
With Mary and Joseph so long, long ago,
That sacred spot soon this pilgrim will know.
There’s a tiny French nun at the gate to be found,
Her privileged task – to guide pilgrims around.
Six soldiers accost her – she motions us in
And each shows a sign of his feeling within.
The old crumbling walls – the world we’ve forgot
In this nearness to Christ in this so hallowed spot.
We kneel in the room where once Jesus did live
And in divers tongues our humble thanks give.
Three Negroes, two Anzacs, the French nun and I,
We knelt there in silence as minutes sped by.
Departing, reluctant to return to the world
Where Christian ‘gainst Christian in battle is hurled.
As the bus groaned its way to the top of the hill
I looked back and could see quiet Nazareth still.
The old road that Christ and Crusaders once knew …
The bus topped the hill and it faded from view.
Joseph Cummings R.I.P.
Killed in action at sea a few months later.
Joseph Cummings – Grave in Syracuse
Here is the grave of Joseph Peter Cummings, Gunner, 1st Regiment, Royal Artillery Maritime:
Name: CUMMINGS, JOSEPH PETER
Rank: Gunner
Regiment/Service: Royal Artillery
Unit Text: 1 Maritime Regt.
Age: 32
Date of Death: 25/07/1943
Service No: 1809118
Additional information: Son of Robert and Margaret Cummings, of West Withington, Manchester.
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. D. 13.
Cemetery: SYRACUSE WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
Photo link to website of 1° Institute “ M. BARTOLO “, Pachino, (Sicily)
Regiment details
Extract from Lochwinnoch newspaper:
The Armistice Day Service this year will be the first not to be attended by a resident who served in the 1st Regiment Maritime Royal Artillery during the Second World War. This regiment had two batteries and the HQ of one was located here in Lochwinnoch from 1941-45. It was sited next to the Lochhead Furniture & Cabinet Work, affectionately and more frequently referred to as the Klondyke. The officer in charge was Colonel Dunkeld who reported directly to the man in overall command of the Maritime organisation, Major George Ewart whose office was in Cockspur Street in London.
Before the end of 1945 the barracks were closed. Captain Geoffrey Tharme R.A. was one of many serving members of the Regiment who married local lassies and stayed on in the village. Others who did so and made contributions in a variety of ways to post-war village life included Eugene Flanagan, Arthur Cusworth, George Jepson, Bobby Bryce, Bill Love, and John Scales. Sadly the last of these men died a few weeks after Armistice Day 2006. With his passing a page if not a chapter of local social history has been turned. Whoever is asked to lay the wreath on the memorial plaque to the regiment in the Parish Church this November will be doing so in a year when perhaps we should give an extra thought for the 1st Regiment Maritime Royal Artillery.
Letter from Commanding Officer
3rd January 1944
Lochhead Works, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire
Dear Mr Cummings
On behalf of myself and the officers and gunners of this Regiment, I ask you to accept this, our expression of sincere sympathy with you in the loss you have sustained by the death of your son No. 1809118 Gunner Cummings, J., 1st Regiment, Maritime Royal Artillery. Your son was a good soldier and held in esteem by all.
In this service which works close to danger most of its time please be assured the memory of comrades who have ‘passed on’ is not forgotten.
He will be remembered by those who step forward to fill the gaps; his memory will give the added courage to carry on the duty which he so faithfully performed.
If you have any difficulty at any time, or feel that we can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to write.
With renewed sympathy.
Yours sincerely
J.R. Dunkeld
Lieut. Col. (136168). Cmdg 1st Regiment, Maritime R.A. (Col. Dunkeld was stationed at the Lochhead Cabinet Works, which is still in existence (2011) but is now a cooperage.
War Office Letter, October 1943
The War Office, Blue Coat School., Church Road, Wavertree, Liverpool 15
October 1943 Our Ref: OR/124086/D
Madam,
With reference to your letter dated 16th October 1943, addressed to the War Office, London, regarding No. 1809118 Gunner J.P. Cummings, Royal Artillery, I am directed to inform you, with regret, that no news of your son has been received since he was reported missing at sea on the 25th July, 1943.
The ship in which Gunner Cummings was serving was sunk, in harbour, by a direct hit during enemy bombing, and it is regretted that your son was not amongst the survivors picked up. In the circumstances, therefore, there is very little hope of his survival, but a further lapse of time must be allowed before all hope is abandoned.
Immediately a decision is reached, or any further information received, you will be notified.
I am to convey to Mrs. Cummings and yourself, on behalf of the Department, an expression of sincere sympathy in the most anxious time.
I am, madam, Your obedient servant, C. Stone
Mrs M. Cummings
81, Mauldeth Road West, Withington, Manchester 20
Newspaper Notices
I have found a newspaper notice concerning Joe’s death, probably from the Manchester Evening News:
CUMMINGS. _ Gunner J.P. Cummings (Maritime Regiment), posted as missing at sea July. the third and loved son of Mr and Mrs Robert Cummings, 81 Mauldeth Road West, Withington. Any information will be gratefully appreciated
War Office Letter
On the 25th of April, 1944, my grandfather, Robert Cummings, received the following form from the War Office. It is terse, to say the least, and must have caused anger at its lack of sensitivity:
Tel No SLOand 1698 Form E.2.
Any futher correspondence on this subject should be addressed to:-
The Director General, Graves Registration and Enquiries, The War Office, 32, Grosvenor Gardens, LONDON S.W.1 and the following number quoted: GCAE/4358/AG.13.
25th April 1944.
Dear Sir,
I have to inform you that your son No. 1809118 Gunner J.P. Cummings of the 1st Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery, is buried in Syracuse Communal Cemetery, Sicily, Plot 2, Row E, Grave No. 15.
Yours faithfully,
………………………………
Staff Capt. for Director General, Graves Registration and Enquiries
R. Cummings, Esq.,
(25178) Wt24521/6536 20,000 8/43 A & E B.W Ltd. Gp. 698
Joseph Cummings – my uncle
This site is dedicated to the memory of my uncle, Joseph Peter Cummings from Manchester, England, who died in 1943 during the second world war while fighting for his country. He is buried in Syracuse Communal Cemetary, Plot 2, Row E, grave number 15. I will publish all the information I have about him, including a poem he wrote while visiting the Holy Land and letters he sent to his family
His unit was the Royal Artillery, his number was 1809118.
As far as I know, no member of our family has ever been to visit his grave.