Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 238

(x) A poignant campaign pair awarded to Lieutenant J. R. Drummond, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, a Pilot who had bagged a 'kill' in the morning but was then shot down and killed on an offensive patrol that afternoon, the cemetery of his burial taking his name as the first Allied internment therein

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. J. R. Drummond. R.A.F.), nearly extremely fine (2)

Joseph Rayson Drummond was born on 20 October 1896 at Cockermouth, the son of Joseph William and Margaret Rayson Drummond of 10 Ashgrove Road, Cockermouth, Cumbria. Educated at St. Bees School, Drummond was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 26 January 1917 and promoted Lieutenant on 4 January 1918 whilst serving with No. 22 Squadron.

On the morning of 27 September 1918, Drummond and his Observer, 2nd Lieutenant Charles Henry Wilcox took off from Maisoncelle aerodrome and successfully claimed their first 'kill' after shooting down a Fokker D.VII over Oisy-le-Verger. That afternoon the pair took to the skies in Bristol two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft E2243 on a second offensive patrol. Departing at 1430hrs, they were last seen heading east over Cambrai (The Sky Their Battlefield, refers), but an hour and a half later were intercepted over Neuvilly by Oskar Jennrich of Jasta 46. Drummond crash landed but died shortly afterwards from his wounds. Wilcox survived and became a Prisoner of War.

Drummond became the first burial at Drummond Cemetery, Raillencourt Nord, France, which was created by the Canadian Corps in October 1918. It now contains 88 Commonwealth burials of the Great War and 3 German graves; sold with copied service records to both airmen, the record to Wilcox noting repatriation on Christmas Day 1918 and relinquishing of his commission on 6 April 1920 on account of 'ill health caused by wounds'.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£260

Starting price
£170