Gordon Douglas Drake

Captain Gordon Douglas Drake
15 Mar 1912 - 18 Apr 1979
Biography

Gordon Drake owned a butcher’s shop in Bures, as well as a slaughterhouse. His father had started the business in 1909. A number of the Bures Patrol were employees of the slaughterhouse.

Gordon Drake was treated at St Leonards Hospital in Sudbury for his injuries when a stray antiaircraft shell hit the slaughterhouse on October 19th 1942. One man, Reginald Drury was killed and another two, including Walter Smith, admitted to hospital. The shell was reported to have come from Colchester (9 miles away).

After the release of “The Last Ditch” in 1968, which named Mr Drake, a well known figure in the area, he was interviewed for the Essex County Standard. Even then, he appears to have kept his cards close to his chest.

See Bures at War

 

Postings
Unit or location Role Posted from until
Essex Group 3 - Bures Group Commander Unknown 03 Dec 1944
National ID
TZGP 203/3
Occupation

Butcher

Career

He was promoted to Second Lieutenant on 27 Feb 1942, most likely on becoming a Group Commander

Address
High Street, Bures, Essex
Other information

Group Commander of Group 3

References

WO199/3389
Hancock data held at B.R.A
1939 Register
Gordon Drake Collection: 10th (Sudbury) Battalion Suffolk Home Guard Part II Orders 21 May 1942