Life story: Cyril Alexander Fraser Drummond | Lives of the First World War

Timeline

1894

birth Woolwich, London United Kingdom Source:9535411 Source:9306340 9th January 1894

1901

dates Age 7 Source:9306342 1901

1901

location 23 Handen Road, Lee, Kent United Kingdom parents address Source:9306342 1901

1911

dates Age 17 Source:9306343 1911

1911

education Tonbridge School Tonbridge United Kingdom Source:9306343 1911

1911

location Tonbridge School, Ferox Hall, Tonbridge, Kent United Kingdom school/college address Source:9306343 1911

1914

service British Army Lieutenant Royal Field Artillery 135 and 27 Batteries Source:9299924 1914 - 1915

1917

marriage Muriel Kyrle Ottley Source:9535411 8th September 1917 - 1932

1934

marriage Una Alford Source:9306344 1934

1947

service British Army Brigadier Source:9535411 1947

service British Army Second Lieutenant Royal Artillery Source:1699248

service British Army Captain Royal Garrison Artillery Source:1699248

1979

death Not War Related Portishead United Kingdom Source:9535411 Source:9306341 5th February 1979

Details

Names

Type	Name
First Names	Cyril Alexander Fraser
Initials	CAF
Last Name	Drummond
Source	9299924

Locations

Address	Country	Type	Date	Source
23 Handen Road, Lee, Kent	United Kingdom	parents address	known 1901
Tonbridge School, Ferox Hall, Tonbridge, Kent	United Kingdom	school/college address	known 1911

Contribution

Military Service

Service	Unit	Section	Rank
British Army	Royal Artillery		Second Lieutenant
British Army	Royal Garrison Artillery		Captain
British Army	Royal Field Artillery	135 and 27 Batteries	Lieutenant
British Army			Brigadier

Family

Parents

Name	Relationship	Dates	Source
Ellen Drummond	mother
John A Drummond	father

Spouse

Name	Relationship	Dates	Source
Una Alford	wife	1934
Muriel Kyrle Ottley	wife	8th September 1917

Media

C A F Drummond (right)

Hill 63 (near Ploegsteert or 'Plugstreet' Wood) winter 1914-1915. Left to right: Maj J P V Hawkesley DSO, Commanding 135 Battery RFA, killed April/may 1916 when a Lt-Col commanding a RFA Brigade near Albert; Lt Gordon Harbord, then Senior Subaltern of 135 Battery (killed 1917); 2nd Lt C A F Drummond.

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Lieutenant A G Taylor, 27 Battery, Royal Field Artillery, November 1914. This Battery had that morning come into action on the slope of Hill 63, Ploegsteert (Plugstreet) Wood.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Lieutenant Frank Richards Royal Field Artillery, Brigade Orderly Officer of 32nd Brigade RFA, November 1914.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Lieutenant K I Pritchard, an officer of either the 48 South Midland Division, TA or from an Artillery unit of the New Army who, with several others came out to 135 Battery during the winter of 1914/15 for a short 'Cook's Tour', to see what the front was like.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Lieutenant R M Prance, another young Officer who came to the Battery on a short visit during the winter of 1914/15. He is standing at the door of a ruined cottage on the edge of Ploegsteert (Plugstreet) Wood in which the Forward Observing Officers used to sleep during their tours with the Infantry

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Personnel of 'E' Subsection gun in action (hidden by brushwood) at Le Bizet, April, 1915. Left to Right: Sergeant Crane, Bombardier Parnell, Corporal Clarke.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Corporal Kempster and Corporal Harvey, battery signallers, with Gunner Bartlett (inside the door), Lieutenant Drummond's 'very excellent' batman, at the Cottage in Ploegsteert (Plugstreet) Wood, December 1914.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Lieutenant Gandy, a new Army officer on a short visit from the UK in the winter of 1914-15, looking out from the observation post in one of the cottages in St Yvon, and wearing a balaclava helmet, much in fashion at the time.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Lieutenant M D Motion Royal Field Artillery and Bombardier Paice, a signaller near Ypres in May 1915. Shortly after this Paice was recommended for the Victoria Cross for gallantry on the 24th May. He was awarded the DCM.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Gunner Chesterman, Officers' Mess Waiter, and Gunner English, Officers' Mess Cook, both of 135 Battery, Royal Field Artillery at the Battery gun position at Ypres, May 1915.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Battalion headquarters of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in what they called 'the Boreen' behind St Yvon on the North edge of Ploegsteert Wood. L to R: Captain Watson (Adjutant), Captain Wheeler (2nd in command), Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Loveband (Commanding Officer). Loveband was killed during the German attack at Ypres, 25 May 1915.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Bombardier Cooper, Royal Field Artillery, in the hole of a German 5.9" howitzer shell, Hill 63, made during shelling directed at the 27th Battery position on the day they came into action in November 1914. Second Lieutenant Cyril Alexander F Drummond joined 135th Battery, positioned nearby, at the same time. The German fire was directed by aircraft.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Bombardier Cooper, layer of 'D' subsection gun, 135 Battery, Royal Field Artillery (RFA), with No. 4 gun, November 1914.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Battery Sergeant-Major G McEwen of 135 Battery, Royal Field Artillery (RFA), January 1915. McEwan was posted to France in August 1914 and was commissioned shortly before his death.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Gunner Bartlett cooking a meal on the open fire in 'The Cottage', near Ploegsteert Wood, November 1914. Barlett was Second Lieutenant Cyril Alexander F Drummond's 'soldier-servant' or batman.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Battery Quartermaster for 135 Battery, Royal Field Artillery (RFA) Sergeant Mitchell DCM, December 1915.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Corporal (Signaller) Kempster standing outside a cottage in St. Yvon with a Sergeant of the Dublin Fusiliers whose support platoon occupied the house next door. December 1914.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Bombadier Paice – [with his telephone]. “The instrument was a small box-like affair known as a ‘D.3’. It was used by all forward troops and carried in a small leather case slung over the shoulder together with a small drum of cable. This was before the days of wireless telegraphy, of course, and the lines were laid over the ground and earthed to a steel peg carried on the outside of the case and hammered into the ground wherever the signaller happened to be”.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Driver Holman, heavy draught horses and wagon

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Sgt Crane & E Subsection drivers

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Inside Sergeant Crane's dugout beside his gun during the Second Battle of Ypres, May, 1915.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

May, 1915. Bombardier Paice, who with Gunner Allen spent the entire day during the German gas attack on 24th May walking up and down the telephone line between the battery and the front observation post mending the constant breaks under heavy fire. As a result the battery was for a time the only linked between the front line and the Division HQ. For his gallantry Paice was recommended for the VC. He didn't get it but he and possibly Allen were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM).

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Farrier Sgt Taylor & others Winter 1914

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Gnr Bamsey batman to Harbord then Maj Hawkesley

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Driver Holman and draught horses

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Lieut Motion near Ypres May 15

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Gnr Bartlett with Lulu

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Sgt Hughes & 'E' Sub Gun Le Bizet Mar 15

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
C A F Drummond and Gandy

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Prance, Gale, Drummond & Hawkesley at gun position

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Drummond & S.G.Harbord outside Officers' Mess, Hill 63.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Driver Walker with Peter

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Back view of Gnr. Hirst milking Battery cow

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Driver London with Marco, Drummond's horse

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Driver Reddington with the Roman Candle & the Priest

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Battery cooks at wagon line,Romarin, Apr 1915

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Group of 135 Battery Drivers

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Drummond's horse 'The Woman' - 'with my excellent groom'

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

C J McKay

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Br Reesby, Gnr Horton, Gnr Bullen, Br Dollimore in a Shell Hole

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

F.H.Richards, Col. McCarthy, Capt Crossman & a Doctor

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Driver Howell with the Priest

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Driver Teague

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Sergeant Fox

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

B G Prance

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Sgt. Crane, Sgt. Hughes, Sgt. Hurd

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Driver Curtis

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Images from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collectio

Cpl Oakes.& Cpl Andrews

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Col McCarthy

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Motion

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Gr. Catt with Battery Goat

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Gnr Hurst, Gnr Bromley, Sgt James,& Gnr Wilkin

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Sgt James, Gnr Bromley & a Cpl

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Motion, 2 Harbords & Gibb

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Gnr Bromley, Ftr Wakeling, D.B.Woods & 2 Others

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Gnr Bamsey (Harbord) Gnr Bartlett (Drummond)

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Motion with French Officer

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Gnr. Bassett & Gnr. Allen

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Cyril Drummond

Cyril Drummond (c. 1960)

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Telegram

Telegram from War Office regarding leaving for France

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Cyril in uniform

Cyril in September 1914

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Note from Cyril

Cyril's handwritten note after being wounded and later Official Telegram

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Drawing by Cyril, 1914

Drawing by Cyril, Xmas 1914 at Nieppe

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Telegrams to Cyril's parents

First telegrams to Cyril's parents after his wounding

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Mollie in 1917, the year of her wedding

Mollie, Cyril's first wife

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Mollie's grave

Mollie's grave at Sanjauli, Simla - photo taken in 2014

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Copperplate engraving by Cyril in India

The Madan Mahal - Jullelpore - Madhya Pradesh (1929)

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Copperplate engraving by Cyril in India

Shukartar (Shukratal) Upper Pradesh (1930)

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Copperplate engraving by Cyril in India

Bullocks at Evening - nr. Muzaffarnagar. Uttar Pradesh

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Cyril and Una

Wedding day of Cyril and Una in June 1934

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Cyril's Interview with BBC

Cyril at BBC Interview at Tormarton

Contributed by:
Catherine91214
Photograph of Cyril's second wife, Una

Aged 65

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Blackheath School Cadet Corps

C A F Drummond is standing on the back row, second from right

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Photograph of Cyril's second wife, Una

Family photograph

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Group photograph at RMA Woolwich

Royal Military Academy, Woolwich - no. 6 Company. CAF Drummond is pictured in the front row, 5th person from the left (holding a cane)

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
RMA versus RMC Revolver 1913

CAF Drummond seated in front row, third from left (Captain)

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Caricatures

Caricatures commissioned in the late 1920s to be hung in an Officers’ mess in India where Cyril was stationed at the time

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Caricatures - 'Types of the Stronger Sex'

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Caricatures

Individual on the right is believed to be “Colonel Moberly”

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Set for ‘The Chalk Garden’ by Enid Bagnold

First performed 1955. These sets, of which there were many, relate to C A F Drummond's lifelong interest in the Theatre and his qualification as a Drama Adjudicator after his retirement.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33
Set for 'Wait until Dark’ by Frederick Knott

First performed 1966. This play was also done, probably with Cyril as producer, in the 1950s or 60s.

Contributed by:
Charlotte33

Communities

The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

More about The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Evidence

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Official Records

Title	Connected by	More information
Medal Index Card
England & Wales births 1837-2006 Transcription	Catherine91214
England & Wales deaths 1837-2007 Transcription	Catherine91214
1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription	Catherine91214
1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription	Catherine91214

External Evidence

Reference	Connected by	More information
England & Wales Civil Registration Marriage Index	Catherine91214
London, England, C of E Marriage and Banns	Catherine91214
British Armed Forces, FWW Soldiers' Medical Records	Catherine91214
The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Items in IWM Collections relating to DRUMMOND C A F (BRIGADIER)	Charlotte33
Private Papers of Brigadier C A F Drummond OBE	Charlotte33

Multimedia

Title	Connected by	More information
C A F Drummond (right)	Catherine91214
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
C A F Drummond and Gandy	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Images from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collectio	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Image from The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection	Charlotte33
Cyril Drummond	Catherine91214
Telegram	Catherine91214
Cyril in uniform	Catherine91214
Note from Cyril	Catherine91214
Drawing by Cyril, 1914	Catherine91214
Telegrams to Cyril's parents	Catherine91214
Mollie in 1917, the year of her wedding	Catherine91214
Mollie's grave	Catherine91214
Copperplate engraving by Cyril in India	Catherine91214
Copperplate engraving by Cyril in India	Catherine91214
Copperplate engraving by Cyril in India	Catherine91214
Cyril and Una	Catherine91214
Cyril's Interview with BBC	Catherine91214
Photograph of Cyril's second wife, Una	Charlotte33
Blackheath School Cadet Corps	Charlotte33
Photograph of Cyril's second wife, Una	Charlotte33
Group photograph at RMA Woolwich	Charlotte33
RMA versus RMC Revolver 1913	Charlotte33
Caricatures	Charlotte33
Caricatures - 'Types of the Stronger Sex'	Charlotte33
Caricatures	Charlotte33
Set for ‘The Chalk Garden’ by Enid Bagnold	Charlotte33
Set for 'Wait until Dark’ by Frederick Knott	Charlotte33

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We remember Cyril Alexander Fraser Drummond

Also remembered by 2 people

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We remember Cyril Alexander Fraser Drummond

We remember Cyril Alexander Fraser Drummond

Also remembered by 2 people

Timeline

Timeline

1894

1901

1901

1911

1911

1911

1914

1917

1934

1947

1979

Details

Details

Parents

Spouse

Media

Media

Communities

Communities

The Brigadier C A F Drummond Collection

Evidence

Evidence

Official Records

External Evidence

Multimedia

Stories

Stories

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We remember Cyril Alexander Fraser Drummond