George Watt Drummond, 4th Black Watch
1939 - 1946

We were kindly sent this collection of photographs of George Watt Drummond (4th Black Watch) by his Niece, Beth Marshall. The descriptive details were compiled by Drummond's Great Great Nephew (Shaun Finnigan).

George W. Drummond
4th Black Watch

George was a Coal Minor in Kelty prior to WW2. Despite being a Minor, George was called up as he was Territorial Army before the outbreak of war. He officially enlisted on 15th November 1939.

George was posted to a holding battalion before being assigned to the 4th Battalion of the Black Watch on the 30th April 1940. The 4th Black Watch, as part of 153th Infantry Brigade embarked for France as part of the British Expeditionary Force in May 1940.

George was involved in the action leading up to his capture at St. Valery in June 1940 and was officially reported missing on 16th June 1940. It was not until 23rd October 1940, that his family were told that he was alive and had been taken as a PoW.

In November 1940 George was taken to Stalag XXIA at Schildberg, Poland, near the border to Germany. In 1941 George was transfered to Stalag IVC in Wistritz, Sudetenland, (now Czech Republic), just north of the town of Teplitz (now Teplice) in the Erzgebirge ("Ore Mountains") region. It is possible that George was sent here due to his experience as a Coal Minor as the camp was established to provide a workforce to help process oil from coal.

In 1943, George was taken to Stalag VIIIB (renamed Stalag 344 during 1943) in Lamsdorf in Poland. George appears to have made an escape attempt in May 1943 but was recaptured and remained at Stalag 344 until February 1945 when the men began the infamous Death March. George was finally liberated by an American unit on 2nd March, 1945.

George was officially returned to duty on 15th July, 1945, however, he was referred to as SOS (Struck Off Strength) which meant that he could not do active service due to his condition after almost 5 years as a Prisoner of War. He was posted to the ROAC (Royal Army Ordnance Corps) on the 29th August, 1945.

On 28th March, 1946, his Commanding Officer wrote a reference on his Notification of Impending Release Form:

"Military Conduct: Very Good. Good soldier, clean in his habits. Smart appearance, thoroughly trustworthy and honest. Employed over two years on gravestone polishing when a P.O.W. in Germany. Very interested in this trade which he wishes to follow. Strongly recommended to any firm of granite and marble polishers who require the services of a conscientious worker who can be relied upon to do this job."

George was officially released from the army on 23rd July, 1946. Unfortunately, George never fully recovered from his experience in the war and sadly he died a year after returning home.