[1] A capable student, he passed his school certificates in a wide range of subjects and left with the senior prize for divinity.

[1] He was granted a short service commission as an acting pilot officer on probation with effect from 4 June 1938.

He claimed one downed and damaged two more, but again was hit by return fire, piercing the windscreen, clipping his goggles and helmet before ricocheting out of the cockpit hood.

Unlike the other squadron pilots, he did not fly his Hurricane to the aircraft carrier Glorious but instead returned with the ground crew component on SS Arandora Star.

This was fortuitous for him, as Glorious was sunk on the return journey, killing eight of Drummond's fellow Hurricane pilots.

[5] For his service in Norway Drummond was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 26 July 1940 with a citation that mentioned that last day's exploits in detail.

Despite heavy return fire, Pilot Officer Drummond pressed home his attack, silenced the rear guns of both aircraft and compelled the Heinkels to break off the engagement.For the next ten weeks he flew convoy and defensive patrols and trained Polish and Czech pilots to fly Spitfires at RAF Hawarden.

[5] On 5 September he was posted to 92 Squadron, serving with several legendary pilots including Bob Stanford Tuck, Brian Kingcome, Allan Wright and Geoffrey Wellum.

[8] Throughout September Drummond and 92 Squadron were involved in sporadic sorties to defend south eastern England.

On 21 September a bomb smashed into a Drummond family home in Liverpool, killing John's grandmother and aunt while they slept.

He then attacked a Henschel Hs 126 of 4 (H)/31 flying low over the water, finally bringing it down two miles from the French coast.

[10] His Spitfire, R6616 crashed close by, landing on a flintstone wall that bordered Jubilee Field (now Easthill Drive) and St Mary's Convent in Portslade.

[11] Drummond's funeral took place at St Michael's church, Blundellsands, Liverpool, on 15 October 1940, four days before his 22nd birthday.

He is also recorded in the book of remembrance, the casualties list and on the roll of honour in St Georges Chapel at Biggin Hill.

There is also a plaque at Wellington School commemorating John Drummond and another old boy who flew in the Battle of Britain, Edward Graham.