The Airmen's Stories - F/O J F Drummond

John Fraser Drummond, of Blundellsand, Liverpool, was born on 19th October 1918 in West Derby, Lancashire, the son of William Hastings Drummond (1891-1967) and Nellie Chambers.

He was educated at Llansantffraid Grammar School and Wellington College.

He joined the RAF on a short service commission in April 1938. After completing his flying training Drummond joined 46 Squadron at Digby on 14th January 1939.

In November 1939 Drummond and other pilots were presented to the King for their part in an action over a convoy in the North Sea on 21st October. Eight or nine He115s were seen in the vicinity of the convoy and three were shot down and another was damaged, causing it to land on the sea.

He was serving with the squadron when it went to Norway in late May 1940. On the 29th he destroyed a He111, on 2nd June a Ju87 and on 7th June he destroyed two He111s and damaged two more.

He did not join the squadron withdrawal to HMS Glorious and escaped the fate of most of 46's pilots, who were lost when the carrier was sunk. For his successes in Norway, Drummond was awarded the DFC (gazetted 26th July 1940).

Drummond pictured in Norway in early 1940 (photos courtesy of Mark Andrew)

Drummond was posted to 92 Squadron at Pembrey on 5th September. On the 11th he got a probable Me109, on the 23rd claimed a Me109 destroyed, on the 24th got a probable Me109 and damaged a Ju88 and a Me109, on the 27th he destroyed a Ju88 and shared a Me110, on the 30th he got another probable Me109 and on 5th October he destroyed a Me109 and a Hs126.

During an attack on a Do17 over Tangmere on 10th October Drummond collided with P/O DG Williams of 92 Squadron. He baled out, wounded in an arm and a leg, but was too low and was killed. His Spitfire, R6616, crashed and burned out in Jubilee Field, Portslade.

His portrait was made by Cuthbert Orde.

Drummond was 21. He is buried in Thornton Garden of Rest, Lancashire.

(Above photographs courtesy of Adrian Cork)