| Birth date | 3 November 1894 |
|---|---|
| Death date | 2 August 1918 (aged 23) |
| Birth place | Forest Gate, Essex, England |
| Death place | Scapa Flow, Orkney, Scotland |
| Burial place | City of London Cemetery, Manor Park |
| Service years | 1913 - 1918 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Unit | SS River Clyde |
| Battles | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
George Leslie Drewry (3 November 1894 – 2 August 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Drewry was born on 3 November 1894 to Thomas and Mary Drewry.[1] He joined the Naval Reserve in 1913, and was called up for service at the start of World War I.[2]
As a 20-year-old midshipman in the Royal Naval Reserve during the First World War, he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on 25 April 1915 at V Beach in the Landing at Cape Helles, during the Gallipoli campaign.[3]
He later achieved the rank of lieutenant and was killed in an accident at Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands, on 2 August 1918.[4][5]
Since 27 November 2025, his Victoria Cross has been displayed at Merchant Taylors' School, his old school, after 29 years at the IWM.[6]
Citation
Assisted Commander Unwin at the work of securing the lighters under heavy rifle and maxim fire. He was wounded in the head, but continued his work and twice subsequently attempted to swim from lighter to lighter with a line.
— The London Gazette, No. 29264, 13 August 1915 [1]
References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
- VCs of the First World War: Gallipoli (Stephen Snelling, 1995)
- VCs of the First World War: The Naval VCs (Stephen Snelling, 2002)
- ^ Drewry, George Leslie, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- ^ VC online biography
- ^ No. 29264. 13 August 1915. p. 8132.
- ^ "Lieutenant Drewry, V.C.". No. 41862. 7 August 1918. p. 9.
- ^ "Drewry, Midshipman George L. VC". The Newham Story. Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
- ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/DRmfkIIjeAR/?img_index=3
External links
- Location of grave and VC medal (E. London)