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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 222

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (5374429 Pte. G. Cummings. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.), court mounted for display, very fine

Extremely rare: 1 of only 15 medals to the 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry with a Waziristan 1921-24 clasp.

George Cummings was born on 28 November 1902 in Sunnymead, Oxfordshire, the second eldest of five children born to Walter Henry Cummings, a labourer, and his wife Ellen Bowerman Cummings. His younger brother Walter Henry served in the Royal Navy and sadly died on 1 June 1916.

At age 18, Cummings attested with the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 12 August 1919. He initially served at home before being posted to India, for which he embarked with his regiment on 7 March 1922. Cummings was stationed in India for nearly three years, during which time he was awarded a 3rd Class Certificate of Education on 24 June 1922, and later returned to England in January 1925.

Upon his return home, Cummings volunteered for premature transfer to the Army Reserve before the expiration of his period of engagement, which was confirmed on 14 February 1925. His military character was cited as being 'exemplary'. Cummings was married the following September to Dorothy Angela Webb in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. On 12 August 1931, Cummings re-engaged for four years service and, upon the expiration of that engagement, again re-engaged for another four years on 12 August 1935. He was finally discharged on the termination of that period of engagement on 11 August 1839, after having served for over 20 years.

Cummings died at Churchill Hospital in Oxford on 7 December 1983 of cardiac arrest following a myocardial infection and an old cerebral vascular accident, with his daughter Angela present for his death; sold together with copied research, including medal roll.

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Sold for
£190

Starting price
£110