Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War ‘Battle of El Alamein’ M.M. group of six awarded to Lance-Serjeant R. Drummond, Black Watch, whose successful bayonet assault on an enemy position enabled his Company to reach the final objective

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2753674 L. Sjt., Black Watch); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; together with an erased Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, mounted court style for display, good very fine and better (7) £1600-2000

Ex Sampson Collection of Medals to the Black Watch, Glendining’s 19 June 1991.

M.M. London Gazette 25 February 1943.

‘During the night attack on 23/24 October. The Pl. of which the Section, which Cpl. Drummond commanded formed part, was held up by a strong enemy position surrounded by wire and from which a large number of stick grenades were being thrown. The Pl. Commander was killed and the Pl. Sgt. seriously wounded and the attack at this point was in imminent danger of being held up; Cpl. Drummond immediately took command of the Pl. and led a successful bayonet assault over the wire and into the enemy position - the surviving enemy thereupon surrendering. He thereafter reorganized the Pl. without delay and continued the advance. But for Cpl. Drummond's action, his Pl. would undoubtedly have suffered heavy casualties from the enemy post referred to and the attack would have been held up at that point. This action very materially assisted in enabling his Coy. to reach the final objective.’

Robert Drummond was born at 93 Golfdrum Street, Dunfermline on 14 September 1914, the son of Alfred Drummond, Coal Miner and Jane Neilson Drummond (maiden surname Coutts). He enlisted into “C” Company (Dunfermline) 6th/7th Black Watch (T.A.) on 19 April 1932 and was embodied on 2 September 1939. Having a reserved occupation of Coal Miner, he was discharged to Civil Employment on 4 October 1939. He re-enlisted in the 7th Black Watch in November 1939, was posted to France with the 6th Black Watch in January 1940, and transferred to the 7th Black Watch in Shetlands in September 1940. At El Alamein with 12th Pl. “B” Coy. 7th (Fife) Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) formed part of the 154th (Highland) Infantry Brigade. Drummond was awarded the M.M. for bravery in action in an early phase of the battle of El Alamein. He died on 11 May 1980, aged 65 years, at 8 Wilson Street, Townhill, Dunfermline.

Sold with copied gazette and recommendation extracts and other research; also with copied photographs.