Joseph Cummings, civilian driver attached to RAF, died 21 December 1920

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Hi,

I'm unsure as to the interest levels in those who died within the CWGC commemoration period but who were serving in Ireland at the time.

In that regard I've recently encountered a Joseph Cummings when researching RAF dead. He would appear to have been a civilian driver attached to the RAF.

On 18 December 1920 some vehicles were travelling from Baldonnell to Aldergrove when, en route, they suffered a mishap near Gormanston.

Cummings would appear to have gotten under the vehicle to attempt to staunch the petrol leak. After he got up another chap attempted to attend to the problem. In the short time after Cummings got out from under the vehicle he caught fire. There were no witnesses.

It's unclear as to whether he'd dropped the contents of his pockets and lit a match to look for something, or whether he came near a naked flame for some reason or another. He burnt from the torso to the legs and died on 21 December 1920. He wasn't smoking at the time, according to a witness.

The TNA Kew reference is WO 35/148/59.

Some samples (courtesy FMP) from inquest, just to give an idea of the case.