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Queens South Africa medal (Orange Free state, Transvaal) to 1703 Tpr Ralph Cumming E. Sqdn 3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles.
Born on the pastoral property "Garwold" at Anabranch some 92 Kilometers north of Mildura NSW, on the Murrey- Darling, he was 1 of 13 children to William Randolph Cumming and Annie Cumming.
Ralph went on to Jackaroo at Wilcannia after the death of his father in 1892, Mrs. Cummings and Ralph's younger siblings removed to Newport, four miles from Wentworth, where she lived for some considerable time. 2 of Ralph's siblings (Mrs. Ridley)was a nurse in WW1 and his brother Robert also served.
Annie, eventually purchasing the property in Darling-street, Wentworth where she resided until her death in 1930.
The decade from 1892 to1902 was a horrible decade for his mother having lost a husband William Randolph Cumming in 1892, Ralph in 1902 and his brother 6 months later, the last surviving child (a daughter) passed in 1953.
Ralph enlisted at Wilcannia and had a shooting score of 48/50.
The 3rd Regiment of the New South Wales Mounted Rifles was established in Sydney along the same lines as the two previous regiments. The 3rd Mounted Rifles consisted of five mounted rifle squadrons and a machine gun section. The preference for recruits was for trained men who were "good shots and riders". They needed to be between the ages of 20 and 40, 5 foot 6 inch or taller, and have a chest measurement of 34 inches or larger. They also needed to be unmarried. The total strength of the regiment was 37 officers and 980 other ranks, with 1,000 horses. Nearly all of the officers had previously served in South Africa. The 3rd Mounted Rifles was the sixth and final contingent sent by New South Wales to the war. The regiment travelled to South Africa in three group: B and D Squadrons were the first to leave Australia, sailing from Sydney on 15 March, on board the transport "Maplemore"; A, C, and E Squadrons, and the regimental staff, followed six days later on the British Princess. The machine gun section also left on 21 March, travelling on the transport "Ranee". B and D Squadrons disembarked at Port Elizabeth on 12 April, while the rest of the regiment disembarked at Durban on 17 and 23 April. Another draft was also sent from Australia to reinforce the regiment. These men travelled on board the "Antillian", leaving Sydney on 5 April and arriving at Durban on 12 May. From 2 May 1901 to 28 April 1902 the regiment served in the eastern Transvaal and in eastern Orange Free, attached to Colonel Remington's column. In early 1902 it took part in several drives, the principal one being the Harrismith drive, which resulted in the capture of 251 prisoners, 26,000 cattle, and 2,000 horses. In February 1902 the regiment was in action during the Boer breakthrough at Langverwacht. In May the regiment embarked at Cape Town for Australia, leaving on 4 May and reaching Sydney on 3 June, after having stopped at Albany, Adelaide, and Melbourne.
Ralph was upon arrival taken to the Sydney Hospital suffering from appendicitis and enteric Fever and was to pass away 2 days later.
It has been argued, that his funeral was the first Military Funeral conducted in the newly Federated Commonwealth of Australia. For a trooper to have had such an accolade and representation, at all levels of military and civil life must say something to the man and his family. transcribed from the Sydney Morning Herald, 12 June, 1902.
"THE LATE TROOPER R. CUMMINGS.
The late Trooper Ralph Cummings of Wentworth), of the 3rd. Imperial Regiment New South Wales Mounted Rifles, who died from appendicitis at the Sydney Hospital, was buried in the Waverley Cemetery yesterday. The deceased soldier returned from South Africa by the steamer “Aurania” on the 3rd instant, and his remains were buried with military honours.
There was a very large gathering of returned officers and the men present, in addition representative gathering from local regiments. Lieutenant-Colonel Lassetter (originally commissioned into the 38th Foot and later the 80th Regiment) seeing service in Egypt in 1884. He commanded the 2nd NSWMR during the Boer War for his services he was created CB, and was MID was in Command, and Captain Richards, of the 3rd Imperial New South Wales Mounted Rifles, acted as Processional Officer.
The Cortege started from the Domain entrance to the Sydney Hospital at 2pm. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, upon which rested numbers of beautiful wreathes. It was borne from the hospital to the gun carriage by number of the deceased’s late comrades in arms, who also acted as pall bearers.
A firing party of 13 members of the Royal Australian Artillery, under Sergeant Conyer, led the procession, and were immediately followed by the Royal Australian Artillery Band, under Trumpet -Major Perryman. Mr. ,J. M. Gibson was present as representing the New South Wales State Ministers. About 150 Returned Soldiers followed on foot, and included those of the 2nd New South Wales Mounted Rifles, 3rd Now South Wales Mounted Rifles, Imperial Bushmen, and others.
The principal officers included Lieutenant-Colonel Vandelour Kelly, A M.C., Major Lydiard, civil surgeon Delahery, Captain Gibson, Captain Holman, Lieutenant Brees, Lieutenant Tedder, Lieutenant Stewart, Lieutenant Neild, and Lieutenant Holland. The service at the grave was read by the Rev. John Macaulay, M.A.
3 volleys Were fired over the grave by the firing party. Amongst the wreaths forwarded and placed upon the grave were those from the New South Wales Government, the officers of the 3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles, and the deceased’s comrades of the 3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles and Trooper Hall. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mrs. P. Kirby and son.

A lovely story there Simon, and with photos et al to match!

Thank you Rory, I like the fact they are all original.
I only wish there was an edit function on the upload that allows you to rotate like FB. I have tried saving every imaginable way, but still they do not load correctly.