was thrown clear of the machine into a shell-hole...." Nothing daunted, Cummings went on to score eight more confirmed aerial wins and rise to the rank of captain. His bravery would win him a Distinguished Flying Cross, which would be gazetted on 8 February 1919: List of aerial victories Between the wars Cummings returned to Australia after the war; on 28 August 1919 he flew an aerobatic exhibition in a Sopwith Pup over downtown Hobart, including eight loops. The exhibition was a public relations stunt to draw a crowd to subscribe to a Peace Loan of 750,000 Pounds to care for military veterans. After his departure from Hobart, he barnstormed locally for the Peace Loan, despite engine trouble after departing Launceston for Longford and Devonport on 9 September 1919. On 11 February 1920 Cummings was invested with the Distinguished Flying Cross by General William Birdwood in Cummings' home town of Franklin. On 7 June 1923 Cummings was granted a short service commission in the Royal Air Force as a Flying Officer. On 7 June 1928 he was transferred to Class A Reserve of the Royal Air Force; he would remain in the reserves in various capacities until World War II. While Cummings was a reservist he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 4 February 1931. Also during this time, on 27 April 1932, he was elected to membership in the Royal Aero Club. World War II Cummings returned to active service for World War II. On 7 June 1940 he was promoted to temporary Squadron Leader. On 1 March 1942, Cummings was promoted to temporary Wing Commander. Endnotes Footnotes Citations 1896 births 1979 deaths Australian World War I flying aces Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)