Biography:

Dr. Gordon Slade Cumming was born in Chatham Twp (Chatham-Kent), Ontario on the 2nd of October, 1900.  Dr. Cumming was the youngest of 4 children born to Neil Thomas Cumming and the former Fannie Slade.  His parents were farmers and his siblings were; Kenneth Neil Cumming, Robert Bruce Cumming and Frederick John Cumming.  Dr. Cumming graduated from Chatham Collegiate Institute prior to attending medical school.

Dr. Cumming graduated M.B. in 1926 from The University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine.  After completing his internship he settled in Chatham to practice medicine.

Dr. Cumming married Beatrice Eleanor Margaret Scott on the 20th of September, 1934, in Tilbury.  Mrs. Cumming was born in Delaware (Middlesex County), Ontario on the 28th of April, 1902.  She was the eldest of 3 children born to Mungo Park Scott and the former Lucy Rosena Mahler.  Her father was a painter and her siblings were; Clarence “Clare” Walter Scott and Vera Winnifred Scott. In 1921, the Scott family resided at 28 Richmond Street in Chatham.  At the time of their marriage, Mrs. Cumming was a stenographer residing at 61 Park St., West in Chatham and Dr. Cumming was residing at 143 King St., West (in Chatham).

Dr. and Mrs. Cumming had one son, Donald Cumming who was born on the 16th of October 1937.

According to the 1941 Shepherds City of Chatham Business Directory, Dr. Cummings’ medical office was located at 179 King Street.

Dr. Cumming enlisted on the 19th of June, 1942 with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps during World War II.  He served more than a year overseas and returned to Chatham in April of 1944.  In 1944 his medical office was located at 69 Grant Street in Chatham.

By 1954, Dr. Cumming was residing in Toronto.  He died at the Riverdale Hospital in Toronto on the 14th of September, 1972.  He was buried at the McVicar/Gee Cemetery in Chatham Township.  Mrs. Cumming died at St Joseph’s Hospital in Chatham on the 20th of November, 1984.  At the time of her death, she resided at 100 Poplar Street in Chatham.  Mrs. Cumming was buried near her father at the Oakland Cemetery in Middlesex County.

Photo: Courtesy of the Chatham-Kent Museum

*Dr. Gordon Slade Cumming is featured on the Gathering Our Heroes website.  His brothers Robert Bruce Cumming and Frederick John Cumming served during WWI and they are also featured on the Gathering Our Heroes website.  Dr. Frederick John Cumming graduated from The University of Toronto and practiced medicine in Minnesota.