The Cumberland Brothers: A Story of Sacrifice and Loss in WWI

The story of the Cumberland brothers, Joe and Oliver, is a poignant tale of sacrifice and loss that unfolded during World War I. Hailing from Scone in New South Wales, the brothers enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1914, leaving behind their rural life in the Upper Hunter Valley.

As part of the 2nd Battalion, Joe Cumberland embarked on a journey that took him from the Hunter Valley to destinations like Albany in Western Australia, Colombo in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and eventually to Egypt by the end of 1914. Meanwhile, Oliver Cumberland, a local labourer and stockman, felt compelled to join his younger brother in the fight, unable to stand by while Joe served alone. The sense of duty and familial bond stirred their hearts.

The brothers, the youngest among ten siblings, carried the weight of their family’s hopes and dreams. Their elder sister Una played a central role in their upbringing, nurturing them after the loss of their mother in the early 1900s. The Cumberlands’ decision to enlist came at a time of personal hardship, having recently lost their father just before the outbreak of the war.

Amid the desolation of war, Joe and Oliver maintained a sense of optimism in their letters to Una, seeking to assuage the worries of their loved ones back home. However, the grim reality of the battlefield soon intruded on their spirit of adventure. Joe’s words from Cairo foreshadowed the impending dangers, acknowledging the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families for a noble cause.

On the fateful day of 25 April 1915, the Cumberland brothers landed at Gallipoli, where the brutal conflict quickly exacted its toll. Oliver sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh during the initial assault, leading to his evacuation to Cairo for medical treatment. Tragically, it was there that he learned of Joe’s passing from wounds suffered in battle, plunging him into a deep sense of sorrow and isolation.

Despite the anguish of losing his younger brother, Oliver returned to Gallipoli in June 1915 to fulfill his duty. Engaged in a diversionary offensive near Chunuk Bair and Hill 917, Oliver penned his final letter to Una in late July before facing his own fate two weeks later. The echoes of his bravery and sacrifice reverberated through the annals of history.

A court of inquiry later confirmed Oliver Cumberland’s demise in the harrowing battle at Lone Pine on 8 August 1915. His resting place, like Joe’s in Alexandria, stands as a testament to the courage and selflessness of the Cumberland brothers. As we approach Anzac Day each year, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the enduring legacy of those who sacrificed everything for their country.