John Fraser Drummond
| John Fraser Drummond | |
|---|---|
John Fraser Drummond
|
|
| Birth name | John Fraser Drummond |
| Born |
19 October 1918 Liverpool, England |
| Died | 10 October 1940 (aged 21) Portslade, Sussex |
| Buried at | Thornton, Liverpool |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1938 — 1940 |
| Rank | Flying officer |
| Service number | 40810 |
| Unit | |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | |
Flying Officer John Fraser Drummond DFC (19 October 1918 – 10 October 1940) was an RAF fighter pilot, an official ace who flew in the Battle of Britain.
The younger of two siblings, he was born to middle class parents, William and Nellie, in Liverpool on 19 October 1918. From the age of eleven he attended boarding schools (Deytheur Grammar School in Llansantffraid, Powys, then Wellington School, Somerset).
A capable student, he passed his school certificates in a wide range of subjects and left with the senior prize for divinity.
After a short spell working at a timber merchant with his father, he applied to join the RAF.
He passed his medical in November 1937 and began training in April 1938. He was granted a short service commission as an acting pilot officer on probation with effect from 4 June 1938. In January 1939 he was assigned to 46 Squadron based at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire. He flew the Gloster Gauntlet briefly before the squadron was re-equipped with Hurricanes. On 4 April 1939 he was confirmed as a pilot officer.
On 21 October 1939 the squadron attacked a formation of Heinkel 115s - an action which prompted a visit from the king a fortnight later. The squadron spent most of the next six months in training.
After the German invasion of Norway on 9 April, No. 46 Squadron was part of the British air forces sent to Norway. They sailed on HMS Glorious and by 27 May 1940 were stationed in Bardufoss in the far north of the country.
On 29 May flying Hurricane L1794 Drummond saw four enemy aircraft and attacked a Heinkel 111 of Kampfgeschwader 26. Although Drummond hit the starboard engine he was hit in turn by return fire, causing his cockpit to fill with smoke. He turned to return to Bardufoss but his engine failed. Bailing out, he landed in the freezing waters of Ofotfjord and was rescued by HMS Firedrake.
...
Wikipedia