Second Engineer Victoria Drummond MBE

Discussion in 'The Women of WW2' started by Roy Martin, Nov 2, 2014.

  1. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Victoria Drummond was a God daughter of Queen Victoria, she went to sea as a junior engineer. When war broke out the authorities decided that she should be prevented from staying at sea. She transferred to other flagged ships. She was an engineer on the Har Zion, during the evacuation from the south of France. She was awarded the MBE for remaining at the controls of the steamer Bonita during an attack, having sent the other members of the engine room crew to the deck, where they would have stood a better chance of survival if the ship had sunk. She was among the 50,000 merchant seamen who volunteered for 'the mass invasion of Europe', taking a demotion to return to a British ship; she was again frustrated in her attempt to share in the action, her ship did not leave the Solent.
     
  2. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    There is a book written by Cherry Drummond, The remarkable life of Victoria Drummond marine engineer, only remembered as I once owned a copy.
     
  3. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Yes, I have never owned a copy, unfortunately
     
  4. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Drummond, Miss Victoria Alexandrina - Second Engineer - MBE(Civ)

    London Gazette 9 July 1941 - For services when the ship was bombed and for nursing the engines.

    She was also awarded the Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea - ungazetted, but her citation is as below.

    Miss Victoria Alexandrina Durmmond, Second Engineer.

    BONITA.

    When 400 miles from land the ship was attacked for 35 minutes by an enemy aircraft, but skillful handling saved her from many hits. Miss Drummond went below and took charge when the alarm sounded. She was flung against the leavers and nearly stunned when the first bombs exploded. When everything had been done to increase speed, she gave orders for the engine-room and stokehold staffs to leave. Scalding steam ran out from a joint in the main injection pipe over her head, but she tended this essential pipe as each salvo exploded easing down when the sound of the enemy told her that bombs were likely to fall, and then increasing steam. Her devotion to duty saved the ship from more serious damage, and her disregard of danger inspired all on board.

    Regards
    Hugh
     

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