Geoffrey Drummond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Geoffrey Drummond
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| Born | 25 January 1886 13 St James's Place, London |
| Died | 21 April 1941 (aged 55) Rotherhithe, London |
| Buried |
St Peter's Church Cemetery, Chalfont St Peter
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| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve |
| Years of service | 1915–1919 1940–1941 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Mentioned in Despatches Legion of Honour (France) |
Geoffrey Heneage Drummond (born January 25, 1886 – died April 21, 1941) was a very brave British sailor. He received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for courage given to soldiers and sailors from Britain and the Commonwealth. This award is given for amazing bravery when facing the enemy.
Bravery in the First World War
Geoffrey Drummond was born in 1886. During the First World War, he was a lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He was 32 years old when he showed incredible bravery.
He earned the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Second Ostend Raid. This raid happened on May 9-10, 1918, in Ostend, Belgium.
The Ostend Raid: A Rescue Mission
Lieutenant Drummond was in command of a small boat called HMML (Motor Launch) 254. He bravely volunteered to help rescue sailors. He was following a larger ship, HMS Vindictive, into the harbour.
Suddenly, a shell hit his boat. An officer and a deck hand were killed. The coxswain (the person steering the boat) and Lieutenant Drummond himself were badly wounded.
Even though he was hurt, Lieutenant Drummond managed to bring his boat next to the Vindictive. He then helped two officers and 38 men get off the damaged ship. Some of these men were also wounded or killed while they were getting on his boat.
Lieutenant Drummond stayed awake long enough to steer his boat away from the piers. He guided it towards the open sea. Only then, exhausted from his wounds, did he finally collapse. His quick thinking saved many lives.
Life After the War
After the war, Geoffrey Drummond married Maude Aylmer Tindal Bosanquet in July 1918.
Despite the serious wounds he received, Drummond continued to serve his country. He joined the Royal Naval Patrol Service during the Second World War.
Geoffrey Drummond passed away on April 21, 1941, after a fall. His Victoria Cross medal is now on display. You can see it at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery in the Imperial War Museum in London.
