The Soldier's Details

Drummond was working at Norseman prior to his enlistment, he would have known Bob Baker, Joe Starcevich and others.  Drummond and Baker missed the ‘Aquitania’ when it sailed for Singapore on 16 January 1945.

Alex was the youngest of 5 children born to parents George and Agnes Drummond, there were 3 boys and 2 girls.   Alex was named after his mother’s brother, Alexander McDougall.  It is not known when the eldest child John died.  And sadly about 1931 Alex’s sister Mary aged 27 years suicided, supposedly she had been concerned about her finances, having owned a shop.

It appears from Trove newspaper reports that there was marital disagreements between Agnes and George for many years which resulted in them finally divorcing in the late 1930’s.

Agnes used the surname Knight, and it is believed that all the children at some time used Knight as well.

How did the name ‘Bulldog’ evolve????

For those of us who were not around in 1920’s and early 30’s – ‘the Bulldog Drummond stories follow Captain Hugh ‘Bulldog’ Drummond, D.S.O., M.C., a wealthy former WWI officer of the fictional His Majesty’s Royal Loamshire Regiment, who, after the First World War, spends his new-found leisure time as a private detective.’  There were as many of 25-30 stories printed, produced as plays and some movies.

To his family, he was known as Alex or Bull.

Please read about the boys from Norseman

DRUMMOND, Private, ALEXANDER McDOUGAL DONALD, WX8830, A.I.F. 2/4 M.G. Bn., Australian Infantry. 15 September 1944. Age 33. Son of George Watt Drummond and Agnes Henderson Drummond, of East Perth, Western Australia. Panel 18.

Labuan Memorial, Malaysia.

Bully Drummond was one of about 90 men from 2/4th who was unable to board ‘Aquitania’ before it sailed to Singapore from Fremantle on 16 January 1942.  More than 90 men jumped ship when it arrived at Fremantle, but due to lack of transport and other reasons these men missed the boat.

The group left Fremantle a few weeks later – they were to sail Java and tranship to Singapore, however it became apparent Singapore was about to fall and the men joined became part of ‘Blackforce’ to fight with the Allied Force in Java.

Read further about these men.

They were soon taken POWs and imprisoned.  Drummond was selected with Java Party No. 4, ‘A’ Force Burma to work on the Burma Thai Railway.

Read about Java Party No. 4 

Alex Drummond departed Java on 14 October 1942 and briefly stayed Singapore on way to Burma by ship.  Their ship departed Singapore on 14 October 1942 for Burma.  Arrived Rangoon, travelled Selaween River to Moulmein, then to Thanbyuzayat Camp.  Soon after with Williams Force Alex Drummond left to work Tanyin Camp 35 km, then Kun Knit Way 26 km Camp, Anakwin 45 km Camp, Meiloe 75 Camp and Aungganaung 105 km Camp.  He arrived at 105 km Camp 21 Sep 1943 and sent to Tamakan Camp, Thailand.  From here he was selected to work in Japan with the ‘Rakuyo’ Maru Party.

Initially the group were to depart for Japan via Phom Penh, however having travelled so far they were turned around and sent to Singapore.   The Allied Blockade made it impossible for Japanese shipping to leave.

The ‘Rakuyo’ Maru was sunk by Allied submarines in the South China Sea. Very few POWs survived long enough to be picked up by the Americans.

Read further about ‘Rakuyo’ Maru.