Japanese naval officers sword and scabbard : Lieutenant R P Cummins, 61 Battalion

Japanese Naval Kai-gunto officer's sword and scabbard. The hilt has the standard navy style gilded copper kai-gunto fittings. It has brown tape binding over black same (ray skin) and three cherry blossom menuki on each side of the tsuka (handle). The tsuba (guard) is ovoid in shape and has one large seppa (spacer) either side. These are of a similar ovoid shape engraved in the pattern of sun rays with alternating plain and stippled finish. There are two other brass seppas either side both smaller with serrated edges. The fuchi (hilt collar) is decorated with cherry blossom motifs. The kabuto-gane (pommel) is complete with a cord sarute (sword knot loop) and decorated with cherry blossoms and leaves. The habaki (blade collar) is either brass or copper and the blade is single edged with a straight harmon temper line. The saya (scabbard) has a wood liner which is covered with polished and lacquered shagreen (shark skin). The fittings are gilt copper and match the tsuka (handle). There are two ashi (suspension mounts) with heart shape boar's eye recesses and loose rings which are 55mm and 195mm from the throat. The scabbard has a leather combat cover.

NX141459 Lieutenant Raymond Patrick Cummins was born on 25 February 1919 in Annandale, NSW. He was working as a baker prior to his enlistment with 36th Infantry Battalion, a militia unit, on 3 January 1940 in Sydney. From early 1940 and through 1941 Cummins spent time training at camps around NSW and rose to the rank of acting sergeant. In April 1942 trained as a medium machine gunner was appointed acting lieutenant.

Cummins was posted to Port Moresby, New Guinea in June and soon transferred to the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF), joining the 7th Machine Gun Battalion. Early in April 1943, Cummings contracted malaria and spent 20 days in hospital. He returned to Australia in August and in February 1944 transferred to 61st Infantry Battalion.

Cummins returned to New Guinea in July 1944 where his unit was tasked with garrisoning the Madang area. In November 1944 he was transferred to Torokina in Bougainville and from January to March the 61st Battalion joined the 7th Brigade's advance to the Puriata River. Leaving from Jaba River, the 61st moved inland, through Mosina, Sisirua, and Mosigetta until it reached the Puriata. During this time there where morale problems within the battalion but when the Japanese counter-attacked during the battle of Slater's Knoll, from 29 March to 5 April, the battalion performed well and contributed to the defeat of the Japanese. The 7th Brigade was relieved by the 29th Brigade on 15 April. The 61st took no further part in the campaign, although members of the battalion were involved in the surrender ceremony in Torokina. Cummins returned to Australia and was discharged in December 1945.