Athol was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC in 1888 to Charles Cumming and Barbara Walker - he was one of many children, all born in Bacchus Marsh. Athol had two brothers, Charles (killed in action) and Norman (died of wounds), who are also remembered in the Avenue.

click to enlarge
Headstone for Athol Cumming.
Courtesy of Carol & George Judkins.

Athol was a horse driver and gave his address as Bacchus Marsh, VIC when he enlisted in the AIF, 1^st Remount Unit, 2^nd Squadron on the 11^th of September 1915, aged 26. He embarked aboard the HMAT A67 Orsova in November, disembarking at Suez, Egypt in December.

He remained in the Remounts in Egypt until he embarked at Suez in July 1919, arriving back in Australia in August and discharged from the AIF in October.

Athol Cummings died at Bacchus Marsh, VIC in 1966, aged 78. He is buried at Maddingley Cemetery, Bacchus Marsh.

He is listed on the Roll of Honour for Bacchus Marsh and the Roll of Honour for pupils of Parwan State School, held by the RSL at Bacchus Marsh and also on the Roll of Honour of S^t. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Bacchus Marsh, held by the Bacchus Marsh Uniting Church.

Notes

1. Initially formed for the purpose of taking charge of the horses of the Light Horse Regiments that were acting as infantry at Gallipoli. Men were selected for their knowledge of horses. As Gallipoli was to be evacuated their original purpose was not required so they became part of the Remount Service in Egypt.