Номер объектаM2018/051:001
ОписаниеWooden hand carved lamp stand featuring a moose (or elk) next to a tree stump. The base of the lamp stand is carved with the inscription; ‘Lithuanian DPs Handwork Scheinfeld 12 April 1947’. The artefact was presented to Major Eric Cummings, commander of the displaced persons camp in Furth, on 12 April 1947.
Major Eric Cummings was employed by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA). He was stationed in Furth from 1945-1947. In a book written by I. F Stone ‘Underground to Palestine and Reflections Thirty Years Later’, Stone recalled his encounter with Cummings in Furth DP camp. He characterised Cummings as a ‘stocky, but dapper Australian’ who was particularly ‘fatherly’ toward the camp’s inhabitants. The lamp was bequeathed by Eric’s wife Carin to Nancy and Peter Lefmann, who are the donors of this item.
Eric D. Cummings was born in 13 April 1896, to Dr. H.L. Cummings and Clare Anne Hobbs in Franklin, Tasmania. Cummings had two brothers Roy and Mervyn. In 1914, with the declaration of World War I, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces. During the war he served in the Gallipoli campaign in the 16 Infantry Battalion. Later, transferring to aviation, he trained at the Royal Air force flying school in Shawbury where he excelled. In 1916 he was appointed flight commander. After the war Eric returned to Australia, where he received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery. He was awarded for several raids against Manfred von Richthofen (also known as the ‘Red Baron’) and his ‘Flying Circus’, a fighter wing of the German Luftstreitkrafte (air force). During the interwar period, he worked as a chief pilot to the Anglo-Iranian oil company.
In June 1940, Cummings returned to active service and was appointed Group Captain in the Royal Air Force. During World War II, he was made President of the Courts of Inquiries and Investigations in the Air Ministry. He was later sent to the Middle East to Cairo, Egypt and Italy where he was stationed with the Allied Air Force. At the end of the war in 1945, he joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA). Whilst with UNRRA, he worked as Deputy Director and Director in Charge of displaced persons camps in West Germany. In 1945, he was stationed at the D.P camp in Furth. In 1947, he joined the International Refugee Organisation. In 1950, Eric returned to Australia where he lived with his wife Carin in Sydney. He passed away 27 October 1979.
Major Eric Cummings was employed by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA). He was stationed in Furth from 1945-1947. In a book written by I. F Stone ‘Underground to Palestine and Reflections Thirty Years Later’, Stone recalled his encounter with Cummings in Furth DP camp. He characterised Cummings as a ‘stocky, but dapper Australian’ who was particularly ‘fatherly’ toward the camp’s inhabitants. The lamp was bequeathed by Eric’s wife Carin to Nancy and Peter Lefmann, who are the donors of this item.
Eric D. Cummings was born in 13 April 1896, to Dr. H.L. Cummings and Clare Anne Hobbs in Franklin, Tasmania. Cummings had two brothers Roy and Mervyn. In 1914, with the declaration of World War I, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces. During the war he served in the Gallipoli campaign in the 16 Infantry Battalion. Later, transferring to aviation, he trained at the Royal Air force flying school in Shawbury where he excelled. In 1916 he was appointed flight commander. After the war Eric returned to Australia, where he received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his bravery. He was awarded for several raids against Manfred von Richthofen (also known as the ‘Red Baron’) and his ‘Flying Circus’, a fighter wing of the German Luftstreitkrafte (air force). During the interwar period, he worked as a chief pilot to the Anglo-Iranian oil company.
In June 1940, Cummings returned to active service and was appointed Group Captain in the Royal Air Force. During World War II, he was made President of the Courts of Inquiries and Investigations in the Air Ministry. He was later sent to the Middle East to Cairo, Egypt and Italy where he was stationed with the Allied Air Force. At the end of the war in 1945, he joined the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA). Whilst with UNRRA, he worked as Deputy Director and Director in Charge of displaced persons camps in West Germany. In 1945, he was stationed at the D.P camp in Furth. In 1947, he joined the International Refugee Organisation. In 1950, Eric returned to Australia where he lived with his wife Carin in Sydney. He passed away 27 October 1979.
Дата 1947-04-12 - 1947-04-12
Наименованиеlamps
Материалwood
Размерность
- width: 330.00 mm
height: 600.00 mm
depth: 180.00 mm
Кредитная линияSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Nancy Lefmann