A medal group of Captain Alexander Cumming of the New Zealand Medical Corps.
Alexander was a medical student at the time of enlistment and embarked for England in late 1917 with the 30th Reinforcements, New Zealand Medical Corps. In March 1918 Alexander arrived in France and joined the No. 2 New Zealand Field Ambulance. Six months later in September he was admitted to hospital suffering from dysentery.
After his recovery Alexander was attached to the New Zealand Infantry General Base Depot and was promoted to Sergeant. He was discharged in May 1919 and after the war continued to serve with the Territorials eventually reaching the rank of Captain.
Dr Alexander Cumming was a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and practised for 39 years in Dominion Road, Mt Eden, Auckland. He was an officer and lecturer for the St John Ambulance Association for more than 30 years and also a skilled organist.
Alexanders medals are on display in the Museum’s Medal Repository and includes a Badge of a Serving Brother of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem (4th type, 1948 -c. 1973).
Pictured from left are: British War Medal, Victory Medal, New Zealand War Service Medal, New Zealand Territorial Service Medal, New Zealand Long & Efficient Service Medal and the Service Medal of the Order of St John with 5 year bar.
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