G.+H.+DRUMMOND

Drummond, George H., Private, 3991, 13 th  Battalion, Notts and Derby Regiment Born Derby Enlisted Derby Died Home 10 th  April 1916

Aged 36 Husband of Annie Drummond, of Chambers Row, Blanch Croft, Melbourne, Derby Derby (Nottingham Road) Cemetery, 48125 (C)

Private George Henry Drummond committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor whilst being held as a prisoner at Normanton Barracks. He was aged 34, and had previously been employed as a mechanic. An escort had been sent to Peterborough, where George had been arrested and tried for neglect of work in a munitions establishment. Upon arrival at the Normanton Barracks, he stated that he had been unwell and produced a bottle of medicine which had been given to him by a doctor in Peterborough. He was searched, and only his identification books were found on him. Drummer W. R. Craven, a member of the guard, had a conversation with him where the deceased remarked 'They are here again. They are always after me.' Drummer Craven had the impression that Private Drummond was mentally unbalanced. He was placed in the detention room at Normanton barracks for the night, and at about 11.15pm John Attenborough, the Corporal of the guard, heard him shouting 'Dad', and on opening the door saw him fall to the floor, bleeding from wounds in the throat. A blood stained razor, bearing George's name on the handle, was found on his blanket on the floor. He must have had it concealed on him on his admission to the detention cell. An orderly attended immediately, however, George expired after seven minutes. Dr. Smiley, medical officer at the hospital, found three deep wounds to the throat, and concluded that death was caused by haemorrhage and shock. The jury at the Coroner's Enquiry returned a verdict of 'Suicide during temporary insanity'.