‘On January 3 a strong force of Japanese penetrated a position while brigade headquarters and a battalion were being withdrawn. Lieut. Colonel Cumming with a small party of men immediately counter-attacked and prevented any further penetration of the position until his whole party had become casualties and he himself had received two bayonet wounds in the stomach. This enabled the major position of our men and vehicles to be withdrawn. Later, in spite of pain and weakness from his wounds, Lieut. Colonel Cumming drove in a carrier for more than an hour under very heavy fire, collecting isolate detachments of our men. He then received two further wounds, after which and while attempting to collect a further isolated detachment, he lost consciousness, and the driver of the vehicle attempted to evacuate him. Lieut- Colonel Cumming, however recovered consciousness and insisted on remaining where he was until he discovered that he and his driver were the sole survivors in the locality. He then decided to retire. By his outstanding gallantry, initiative and devotion to duty, he was largely instrumental in the safe withdrawal of the Brigade. Taken from the LONDON GAZETTE / 20th February 1942’