Martin Augustine Cummins

Martin reported on his enlistment in 1916 that he had been born on March 9, 1890, in West Wawanosh Township, but was presently living in Georgetown (although his Record of Baptism records his birth year as 1881). His parents were Patrick Cummins and Mary O’Boyle. He had married Mary Ann King on June 26, 1915 and they had an 18-month-old son John. Martin was reportedly a glove cutter in a local glove factory (of which there were several). He was of medium complexion, had brown eyes and wavy dark brown hair. He stood 5 feet and 6 ½ inches tall.

Martin’s military record tells us that he enlisted in the 164th Battalion, serving later in the 2nd Canadian Reserve, and 119th, 120th and 21st Battalions. He was awarded a Good Conduct Badge on June 4, 1918, in the field and fell ill with influenza for two days in July 1918, later to be wounded in August of the same year when he was hit by a fragment of shrapnel in his left chest. As a result, he was hospitalized and attended convalescent camp for 2 ½ months in England.

At his medical examination prior to discharge “he said, and an x-ray showed the fragment in the left epigastric region and that it was not removed…he claims no disability”. Martin was demobilized on January 25, 1919, and returned safely home to his wife and son waiting for him in Georgetown. For his service he received $1 per day Regimental Pay plus10 cents Field Allowance.

Little is known at this time about Martin’s life after the war. The 1957 Voters Registration List however places him at 20 John St., Georgetown…. now 20 Mill St.

Martin Augustine Cummins died on May 31, 1960, in Guelph and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Georgetown.

Truly a Canadian Hero. His Story lives on. Information obtained from Canadiangreat warproject.com and Ancestry.ca