How clothing entrepreneur Fletcher Jones came to a family’s aid in their hour of need

Fletcher Jones has been called a visionary, an entrepreneur and, in 1958, Warrnambool’s citizen of the year, but for John Cumming, Jones was his family’s greatest support in their hour of need.

“I grew to love the man for what he did for us in a very hard time,” Mr Cumming said.

In 1951, Mr Cumming’s father, Jack, died, succumbing to injuries he sustained in World War II when he fought as one of the Rats of Tobruk.

His mother, Kitty, was left to look after John and his younger brother Lawrence on her…