2nd Lieutenant, Leslie CUMMINS
Aged 24
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Leslie CUMMINS was born in Grimsby on 30th April 1892 (Caistor Q2-1892 7A:666), son of George Valentine and Mary CUMMINS (née SANDERSON).
Admitted to Grimsby Edward Street Boys School on 2nd July 1900 when living at 71 Willingham Street, Grimsby 1901 census...Aged 8, he was at 71 Willingham Street, Grimsby with his father George CUMMINS [41] draper's assistant born Bedale, Yorks; his mother Mary [40] born Hull; sister Gladys [10]; brothers William [12], Rowland [6] and Gordon [2]. All the children were born in Grimsby. He left Grimsby Edward Street Boys School on a scholarship to Winteringham Secondary School where he was admitted on 11th September 1905. The family were then at 20 Earl Street. He remained there until leaving school on 23rd October 1909 and taking up a post at the school as a laboratory assistant in 1909 and 1910. He passed Camb.Local Senior to qualify for training college. 1911 census...Aged 18, a student, he was at 22 Macaulay Street, Grimsby with his parents (father now traveller for draper); sister Gladys; brothers Gordon and Stanley [7] born Grimsby. His mother had borne 7 children but lost two. |
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He enlisted on 17th September 1914 in Grimsby,No 166, the 10th (Service) Battalion, the Lincolnshire Regiment (Grimsby Battalion). He gave
his age as 22 years 107 days, a teacher, born Grimsby. He was 5 feet 8 inches (172.7 cm) tall, weighed 147 lbs (66.9 kg), chest 37.5" to 39"
(95.3 to 99.1 cm), blue eyes, brown hair, a Congregationalist.
Promoted to L/Cpl 15th Oct 1914 and, very quickly, to Sgt on 29th October. He was awarded, a commission in the Lincolnshire Regiment on 5th January 1915 and posted to the British Expeditionary Force on 8th January 1916. The terrible 1st day of the Battle of the Somme saw them starting out from between Albert and Becourt, just south of La Boisselle, part of 101st Brigade, 34th Division. At 7:28 am the mine was blown, creating the Lochnagar Crater( diameter 100 yards). Advancing on the left flank, after 800 yards, they reached their 1st objective, The Bloater. Then machine gun fire swept through their ranks from La Boisselle and Heligoland redoubt. They eventually managed to hold and consolidate the crater. Some also managed to enter the German trenches to the left and block them. Their losses were very heavy, more than 50 &percent;. The war diary has 15 of the officers out of 20 either killed, wounded or missing,other ranks started with 822 and ended up with 66 killed, 259 wounded and 162 missing. CWGC final figures put the Battalion's total deaths on 1st as 168, many buried several miles away when their bodies were later found, most have no known grave, 130 are named on the Thiepval memorial. One record has :- No 83, Pte Frank Miller, A Coy, 10th Lincolnshire from HM Queen Mary's Royal Naval Hospital, Southend 14th July 1916- Informant states that about July 1st at La Boiselle, Albert : "Cosh" came from my town : I saw him by the side of me, dead- he was shot through the heart. Home address 17 Park St, Grimsby. A submission was also made confirming Leslie's death from 3rd Southern General Hospital, Somerville College, Oxford, from Lt. H.C.Green of 59 High Street, Haverhill The South West Suffolk Echo on 8th July 1916 reported :- "News reached Haverhill yesterday (Thursday) that Lieut.L.Cummins, of the Lincolnshire Regt. was killed in action last Saturday (1/7/16). The unfortunate soldier came to Haverhill some years ago as a teacher in the Council Schools. He soon became popular amongst all the classes, having a very amiable disposition at al times. He was an all-round sportsman, and was prominently associated with the Rovers Football Club, for whom he was a strong hard-working full back. In the early weeks of the war he joined the 1st Lincolnshire Regt. as a Private but it was not long before he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Subsequently he gained his commission, and was exceptionally popular with all ranks. His passing away will be regretted by all who knew him".
also commemorated in the Old Independent Church, Haverhill and on the Grimsby Roll of Honour click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
