This story was originally published on 25 April 2014
MOST South Australian football supporters know the story of Bobby Quinn, the former Port Adelaide captain and coach – arguably its greatest footballer – who fought in World War II and was awarded the Military Medal for bravery.
But do you know of Port's other military medallist, unearthed on the centenary of the war in 1914?
William Roy Sharpe Drummond – better known to family and friends simply as ‘Roy’ – was born in Largs Bay in October 1890 and grew up in Port Adelaide heartland on the Le Fevre peninsula north-west of Adelaide.
It was during an audit of war service records of former players that the club observed two, faintly written letters on his enlistment papers.
See Port Adelaide's list of former players and officials who served
‘M.M.’ adorns the Robert B. Quinn Grandstand at Alberton Oval as the post-nominal to Bobby’s name.
It stands for Military Medal – one of the highest honours for bravery awarded to a soldier – and it was only by luck that these same initials were discovered in faded red pen on Roy Drummond’s records.
Roy Drummond made his League debut for Port Adelaide in 1913 as a fresh-faced youngster elevated from the Port Adelaide ‘B’ Football Club. He was a successful local swimmer and runner during his early years.
He would play in both the 1913 and record-setting 1914 seasons, including in two SAFA premierships and two Championships of Australia.
Port Adelaide celebrated the centenary of that amazing 1914 achievement of going through an entire year unbeaten in League and national championship football and even winning over a combined South Australian state team, back in 2014.
No senior football team in any of the state leagues or the modern AFL has yet matched that achievement.
Drummond played in that unbeaten year and following that amazing achievement, would go to enlist in the Australian Imperial Forces less than one year following the start of ANZAC operations in the First World War.
Many of his fraternity either did, or would, enlist for the overseas conflict.
His papers approved, the 25-year-old Drummond hung up his painting smocks and set sail for Egypt, from where he would again embark for France to see action as a Private on the Western Front.
Disembarking from HMT Arcadian on 6 June 1916 he, along with the rest of his Battalion, would begin fighting in the trenches against the army of the Central Powers – moving slowly across country, rotating with other battalions, which launched machine gun volleys against the enemy.
Things didn’t go smoothly for the young larrikin in 1916.
His early career saw him twice sanctioned – firstly for being found absent without leave in August 1916 and then later for disobeying a lawful command for the trivial infraction of kicking stones and tins when on the march.
For those offences he was docked a combined 17 days’ pay.
It’s behaviour that members of his family – elderly daughters and granddaughters particularly – were unsurprised by. Many family members who spoke to portadelaidefc.com.au remembered a life-loving entertainer who enjoyed having a good time.
But war wasn’t a good time, and it’s no surprise so few of his family were able to recall any anecdotes of his war years or, indeed, his football career.
Such was the way in those times.
Those who survived the Great War were left to get on with their lives without the comrades lost in battle.
Three of his teammates in that 1914 premiership team - Corporal William Boon, Corporal Sergeant Major Joseph Watson and Sergeant Albert Chaplin – were either killed in action or died from wounds in France.
No wonder so few survivors spoke of their time in battle, when the dead were left, buried or not found at all.
Following his early sanctions Drummond was transferred to the 52nd and, later, the 50th Battalions by the time 1918 rolled around.
The 50th moved through the trenches and fought in numerous battles across the Western Front, with the occasional opportunity of leave a welcome, but temporary, reprieve.
Eventually promoted to Lance Corporal, Drummond was awarded the Military Medal for services rendered near the French town of Hamel. This was the first battle commanded by an Australian, John Monash, and was a turning point in the entire Western Front campaign: a quick and decisive victory with minimal casualties.
It was there that the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette recognised his bravery in the field.
The following is a communication sent to his mother Nancy in February 1919:
“HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned: - No. 277 Lance-Corporal W.R.S. Drummond”
What an honour it must have been to receive a memo, particularly at a time where communication from the front was scarce and families, just like their sons abroad, were forced to get on with life amidst the horror of war and the pain of loss all around.
Drummond returned to Australia following his discharge where he would marry his wife Edith.
Badcoe tradition continues
Many soldiers united under the banners of their local Returned and Services Leagues when returning home, where their commitment to these important local branches – networks and communities established to support returned servicemen and their families – was essential to establishing normality in life back in Australia.
Roy became an integral part of the newly established Largs Bay sub branch of the RSL.
He was just one of many who built sub-branches like the one at Largs to meet the needs of local defence families in peace time.
During his time he would serve as the president of the Largs Bay RSL and worked with families of deceased soldiers to provide essential support when needed.
Roy Drummond passed away on 15 December 1966 at his home – Hamel House – named by him after the town where he led the 50th to its objective in the face of adversity that day.
Although he would tell his children and grandchildren of how he came about his Military Medal in a can of bully beef, and that Hamel was to him a place where he fought, the modest Roy is undeniably one of the nation’s many valiant soldiers who did the nation proud during the Great War.
He also remains a now discovered gem of the club.
We don’t know why club records contemporary of the time gave no recognition to his achievement – perhaps Roy advised against it – but Port Adelaide today remains proud of the service he, like so many of his fellow players both before and after his career, served the nation with dignity and bravery during a time of insane conflict.
