John Fraser Drummond facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Fraser Drummond
John Fraser Drummond
Born	(1918-10-19)19 October 1918 Liverpool, England
Died	10 October 1940(1940-10-10) (aged 21) Portslade, Sussex, England
Buried	Thornton, Liverpool
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Air Force
Years of service	1938–1940
Rank	Flying Officer
Service number	40810
Unit	No. 46 Squadron No. 92 Squadron
Battles/wars	Second World War Battle of Britain   †
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross

John Fraser Drummond (born October 19, 1918 – died October 10, 1940) was a brave RAF fighter pilot during the Second World War. He was known as a flying ace, which means he shot down many enemy planes. He sadly died when his plane crashed during the Battle of Britain. For his courage, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

Early Life and Joining the RAF

John Drummond was born in Liverpool, England, on October 19, 1918. He was the younger of two children.

From age eleven, he went to boarding schools in Wales and England. He was a good student and did well in his studies.

After school, he worked for a short time with his father. Soon after, he decided to join the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Becoming an RAF Pilot

John passed his medical tests in November 1937. He began his pilot training in April 1938.

By January 1939, he joined 46 Squadron at RAF Digby. He first flew Gloster Gauntlet planes. Later, his squadron received faster Hurricanes.

In April 1939, he officially became a pilot officer. His squadron spent many months training.

Fighting in Norway

In April 1940, Germany invaded Norway. John's squadron was sent to help. They traveled on a ship called HMS Glorious.

By May 27, 1940, they were based at Bardufoss in northern Norway.

First Battles and Rescue

On May 29, John was flying his Hurricane. He saw four enemy planes. He attacked a Heinkel He 111 bomber.

His shots hit the bomber's engine. But his plane was also hit, and smoke filled his cockpit. He had to bail out.

John landed in the very cold waters of Ofotfjord. Luckily, a ship called HMS Firedrake rescued him.

More Victories in Norway

On June 2, John was flying over Narvik. He saw two Junkers Ju 87 dive-bombers attacking a ship. He shot down one of them.

The enemy plane crashed and caught fire. This was another victory for John.

On June 7, he saw three more Heinkel He 111s. He attacked two of them. He hit one, which flew away damaged towards the Swedish border.

Later that day, he attacked four more He 111s. He shot down one and damaged two others. Again, his plane was hit by enemy fire.

A bullet went through his windscreen. It clipped his goggles and helmet. But he was not seriously hurt.

Leaving Norway and an Award

The British forces began to leave Norway on June 7. John did not fly his Hurricane back to the aircraft carrier. Instead, he returned with the ground crew on a ship called SS Arandora Star.

This was very lucky for him. The aircraft carrier Glorious was sunk on its way back. Eight of John's fellow Hurricane pilots died.

For his brave actions in Norway, John received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). This award is given for great courage in air operations.

The award mentioned how he shot down two enemy planes and damaged three others. It also highlighted his attack on four Heinkel 111s, where he kept fighting despite heavy enemy fire.

After Norway, he spent ten weeks flying patrols. He also helped train Polish and Czech pilots to fly Spitfires.

The Battle of Britain

On September 5, John joined 92 Squadron. This squadron had many famous pilots. John was promoted to Flying Officer on September 3, 1940.

Defending England

John first saw action on September 9. He helped defend Biggin Hill airfield from an attack.

On September 11, he attacked a Messerschmitt Bf 109 that was attacking another Hurricane. He chased it until he ran out of bullets.

Two more Bf 109s then tried to attack him. But John quickly turned his plane and got back to base safely.

Throughout September, John and 92 Squadron fought to defend southeastern England. At the same time, the German air force began bombing major British cities. This was known as The Blitz.

More Victories

On September 23, John was flying his Spitfire. He attacked a Bf 109 that was attacking another Spitfire. He kept firing until the enemy plane was forced to land in a pond. The German pilot was captured safely.

The next day, 92 Squadron met an incoming German raid. They fought through the Bf 109 fighter planes. Then they attacked the Junkers Ju 88 bombers.

John damaged one bomber. He was then chased by three Bf 109s. He turned and fought back, damaging two of them. He returned safely to Biggin Hill.

On October 5, John took off a few minutes after his squadron. He saw twelve Bf 109s and attacked them alone. He hit one, and it crashed into the sea.

Then he attacked a Henschel Hs 126 plane flying low over the water. He shot it down near the French coast. Its pilot was taken prisoner.

During the battle, a famous RAF artist named Cuthbert Orde drew John's portrait. Only a few of the most important pilots were chosen for this.

John Drummond's Death

On the morning of October 10, 1940, John was on patrol near Brighton. His group of Spitfires found a Dornier Do 17 bomber. All nine Spitfires attacked it.

Their windscreens were iced up, making it hard to aim. John and another pilot, Bill Williams, both tried to attack the bomber from the sides.

They missed the bomber and kept turning towards each other. Their Spitfires crashed into each other. John managed to bail out of his plane.

But he was too low for his parachute to open fully. He hit the ground. A priest was able to reach him and say prayers before John died in his arms.

His Spitfire, R6616, crashed nearby. When John's body was examined, he had wounds on his left arm and leg. It was later found that Bill Williams had been shot in the head and was already dead when the planes collided.

During the war, John Drummond had shot down 8 enemy aircraft. He also shared one victory with another pilot. He had 3 "probables" (likely shot down) and damaged 4 others.

Remembering John Drummond

John Drummond's funeral was held on October 15, 1940, in Liverpool. This was just four days before his 22nd birthday. He is buried in Thornton Garden of Rest.

Gravestone in Thornton Garden of Rest

John is remembered at several memorials. His name is on the Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne and the Battle of Britain Monument in London. There are also two memorials in his hometown of Crosby.

His name is also in the book of remembrance at St Clement Danes, the RAF church in London. He is also remembered at Biggin Hill and at Wellington School, where he studied.

First Light

Geoffrey Wellum, another pilot from 92 Squadron, wrote a best-selling book called First Light. This book mentions John Drummond.

In 2010, the BBC made a TV show based on the book. The actor Alex Waldmann played John Fraser Drummond.

John Drummond's Combat Record 1940