Soldier Profile
Lieutenant Colonel William Drummond 104th Foot Regiment
City: 201 Westmorland St, Fredericton, NB
In the entranceway of St Anne’s Chapel, there is a tablet dedicated to Colonel Drummond erected by the officers of the 104th Regiment “as a small testimony of their esteem for his qualities as a friend and respect for his character as a soldier.” Drummond, a Scotsman, had been a major in the British 60th Regiment of Foot, when he transferred to the 104th Regiment on 9 November 1809. In 1812, he was in command of the Saint John Garrison, with five and half companies of the 104th Regiment under his command. A newly erected fortification on the west side of the city was named Fort Drummond in his honour. Major Drummond participated in the Regiment’s famous winter march and once arrived in Kingston, Upper Canada, was appointed deputy quartermaster general. In March 1814 he was promoted lieutenant colonel and in June took up the duties of commanding officer of the 104th Regiment, which at the time was campaigning along the Niagara frontier. This much beloved officer was killed on 14 August 1814 at the siege of Fort Erie, gallantly leading the assault on the northeast bastion. He was described by a contemporary as “everything that could be required in a soldier; brave, generous, open-hearted and good natured.”
