Jack Cummins Former National Chairman Italy Star Association New Zealand



Former National Chairman Jack Cummins (Sgt. Jack Cummins, 22nd Battalion MID) passed away overnight the 3rd/4th July 2017.

Jack was Chairman for Christchurch / South Island New Zealand from their beginnings in 1996. He took on the role of National Chairman after the death of the Auckland Chairman, another veteran of the Italian Campaign. He did a fantastic job and it was only after going through New Zealand’s two major earthquakes and having their new home Red Zone (i.e. marked for demolition) and that was the whole suburb that Jack and his wife Joan decided to move up north to live after the 2011 earthquakes.

He was passionate about the Association and also managed to get back to Italy in 2009 for the launch of a book called “Gateway to Florence”. He was amazed at how he was treated by the Italians. Jack was accompanied on the trip by his wife Joan and another Veteran, Jeff Plowman one of New Zealand’s top military historian’s, Mike Crean from the Christchurch Newspaper “The Press”, Monty Soutar (author of C Company. 28th Maori Battalion) and his daughter. They were looked after by Stefano Fusi, who was at the time Mayor of Tavarnelle. Jack and Doug felt like movie stars the way that were looked after and greeted by the Italians.

 

Jack as National Chairman of New Zealand Italy Star Association.

 

Sgt. Jack Cummins (middle) 22nd Battalion, 2nd NZEF, Italy.

 

This letter  was sent on behalf of the Comune di Tavarnelle Val di Pesa to Jack wife and the Members of The Association in New Zealand.

 

Comune di Tavarnelle Val. di Pesa
Provincia di Firenze

Tavamelle Val di Pesa, 7th July 2017

Joan Cummins
Auckland
Italy Star Association Christchurch

Dear Joan and Members of the Italy Star Association,

The Municipality of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa was deeply grieved to receive the sad news that Jack had recently passed away.

We would like to yet once again renew our gratitute for Jack and Joan’s friendship and thank them for hosting us during research for our book “The Days of Liberation: The New Zealand Troops from San Donato to Florence”. Jack was also particularly helpful in providing precious contacts for our project.

Meeting Jack and Joan, together with Doug, Jeffrey, and Mike during the presentation of the book in Italy in 2009 was also an extraordinary opportunity to get to know two of the soldiers who fought in our region during the Second Word War.

We were very warmly welcomed in 2011 during the book launches in New Zeland and made to feel at home everywhere but especially recall the friendly atmosphere of the presentation in Christchurch where several veterans and their families mentioned in the book were present. Seeing Jack again in his home town was a very memorable occasion for all those involved.

As Jack wrote in our book, he and his fellow soldiers “came from a country far away to a land they knew little about” to liberate the Italians from the Nazi occupiers. Thanks to his collaboration and the work of The Italy Star Association we succeded in producing a publication which has finally shed light on our past.

The memory of Jack’s words and his friendship will continue to remain alive m our community and we feel very honoured to have known him.

Our warmest wishes to Joan and the Italy Star Association.
David Baroncelli
Mayor of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa
Sestilio Dirindelli
Former Mayor 2009 – 2014
Stefano Fusi
Former Mayor 1999 – 2009
COMUNE DI TAVARNELLE VAL DI PESA
Piazza Matteotti n. 39 50028 Tavamelle Val di Pesa (FI)
Tel. 055 805081 Fax 055 8076657
e-mail urp@comune.tavarnelle-val-di-pesa.fi
P.I. 01216860484

 

These Pictures of Jack were taken during his trip to Comune di Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Italy

 

2 Comments

  1. Kris Rush

    What a lovely letter. I am Jacks daughter…Kris Rush, who lives in Australia.
    At present, I,along with Jack’s sister, Betty are arranging a memorial service for him on 27th September at the Papanui RSA.
    I am greatful there is so much information about everything he has acheived in his retired life…and being able to provide valuable history from his days in Italy.
    He was a true Gentleman and I hope his legacy can live on.
    Reading some of his newspaper clippings….has provided me with greater insight to a few things.I am seeking a Piper, to open our service with, as I beleive the 22nd Battalion were the only Battalion to have a band with a Piper…and also, Jacks wish, to have a Bugler, play tThe Last Post..to close our service with.
    Anyone who can assist, I would appreciate hearing from you.
    Thankyou.
    Reagards
    Kris

    1. Julie Walton

      Hi Kris, not sure if you will get this. We were lucky to live next to Jack and Joan in Brookes ave. We shared the same driveway. Jack gave our son a couple of Tank prints which were presented to Jack. I wondered whether you would like them or the RSA? Max, our son, feels bad that he has them packed away. Kind regards, Julie Walton

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