Biography

William Gordon Cumming (1994 - 1972) was a noted Launceston designer and carver, predominantly in wood.

Usually known as Gordon Cumming, he was born in Launceston to Thomas Cumming and Thyra Cumming (née Cruse), the youngest of 9 children. He studied wood carving, metalwork and design at Launceston Technical College. Hugh Cunningham was one of his teachers and mentors, and likely recruited the younger Cumming to carry on his work of carving in stone and wood at St. John's Church.

In 1915, Cumming enlisted in the A.I.F. and served as an orderly with 13th Field Ambulance in Egypt and France, and then at the 3rd Australian General Hospital on the Western Front. He married a nursing sister from the hospital in 1922, Elsie Tranter, at a Methodist church in Oakleigh, Victoria. They settled in Launceston, naming their home, Gezaincourt, after the French village in which they courted.

Cumming followed his mentor as a teacher at Launceston Technical College, and was employed by Coogan's Furniture Manufactory. His work in designing and carving for churches and furniture became sought after. He opened his own business during the Great Depression of the early 1930s.

Late in life, he remarried a widow, Margery Butterworth (née Forward). He died 2 years later at Launceston, survived by Margery and the two daughters of his first marriage.

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