We provide fun, challenge and adventure to over 1400 young people in North Lancashire – #SkillsForLife
We provide fun, challenge and adventure to over 1400 young people in North Lancashire – #SkillsForLife

James Dodds Drummond

Hawick 1900’s

JDD was born on 7 Nov 1902 at 5 Buccleuch Street, Hawick, Roxburghshire.

His father George Ovens Drummond was a Grain Merchant, his mother being Alexandra Dodds.

1911 Census living at 21 Albemarle Road, Beckenham, Kent with his widowed mother and 2 brothers George & Robert.

Headmaster Friends’ School (George Fox School), Lancaster 1933-1969.

In 1939 he is living on Fairfield Road, Lancaster with his wife Joyce Mary née Boorman. He is listed as Headmaster Private Secondary School.

Thorneycroft, Fairfield Road, Lancaster. Photo: Alan Hague

Founded 20th Lancaster (Friends’ School) Group in 1934. Later ADC, DC (1938) and CC for NW Lancashire 1948-1967.

Lancaster & District BSA letterhead 1945

Morecambe Guardian 15 June 1940:-

Life saving

The work of Mr. J. Dodds Drummond in connection with life saving in Lancaster has been recognised by the Royal Life Saving Association.

The Executive Council of the Association have awarded him a certificate of thanks in appreciation of his furthering the cause of life saving in the City and district.

Mr. Drummond, who is headmaster of the Friends’ School, is the honorary representative for Lancaster on the Royal Life Saving Association Council. During his seven years in this capacity, Mr. Drummond has seen the life saving movement in Lancaster grow from quite a small affair to something which plays quite a large part in swimming circles.

Up to two years ago the Lancaster Swimming Club did not take a keen interest in life saving. Since, however, this important work has grown to such proportions that they now have many instructors, and numerous pupils have gained proficiency certificates. 

Another section of the community taking a keen interest in life saving is the City Police, who now have their own instructor, and have gained many high awards.

Mr. F. G. T. Adams, of the LMS Railway Co., has shown his interest in life saving by presenting a silver cup to the local Boy Scouts for annual competition.

Good work is done each year at the Royal Grammar School, and at Mr. Drummond’s school there are already twenty members of the life saving club.

Two well-known instructors who have done much to further lifesaving in the City are Mr. R. Todd and Miss Shipley, who have put in a tremendous amount of work.

Scout Badge.

At a meeting of the North-West Lancashire County Scout Council, at Lancaster, on Saturday, Mr. T. W. Helme, J.P., C.A. County Commissioner, presiding, presented the Scout Wood Badge to Mr. J. D. Dodds Drummond, District Commissioner, Lancaster.
Mr. Rex Hazlewood of Imperial Headquarters, reported a tremendous influx of Scouts in all the liberated countries of Europe.

Lancashire Evening Post 14 January 1946

Awarded Silver Acorn 1950;

Silver Wolf 1960.

Top honour for Lancaster Scout Chief

MR. J. DODDS DRUMMOND, headmaster of the Friends’ School, Lancaster, the North West Lancashire County Commissioner for Scouts, received the Silver Wolf, the highest award of the Scout Movement, at the annual meeting of the County Association, in Preston on Saturday. The presentation was made by Mr George Green, County Commissioner for East Cheshire, on behalf of the Chief Scout, Major Sir Charles Fitzroy McLean.

Making a presentation, Mr. Green said it was for “his most inspired leadership and what it means to scouting. It is a full recognition by the Chief Scout of his efforts for scouting in the country and of making a youth of which we are proud.”

Mr Drummond, who has been in the movement since 1911, was a district commissioner for Lancaster and Morecambe for 10 years until 1948, and has held his present office since then.

doddsdrummond

He donated a number of Scouting pictures to the Scout county presently displayed in Helme Lodge at Waddecar Scout Activity Centre.

Left the Friends’ School in 1968, when the Group closed.

He died on 17 September 1972.

Memorial Service booklet 1972