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.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex Group 3 - Bures | Group Commander | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
Butcher
He was promoted to Second Lieutenant on 27 Feb 1942, most likely on becoming a Group Commander
Group Commander of Group 3
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