George Leslie Drewry

George Leslie Drewry VC (3 November1894- 3 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.

He was 20 years old, and a midshipman in the Royal Naval Reserve during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 25 April 1915 during the landing at V Beach, Cape Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey, Midshipman Drewry and three others (Wilfred St. Aubyn Malleson, George McKenzie Samson, William Charles Williams) of HMS "River Clyde", assisted the commander of the ship (Edward Unwin) at the work of securing the lighters under a very 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.

He later achieved the rank of lieutenant and was killed in action, Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands, on 3 August 1918.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Imperial War Museum, London, England.

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)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/loneast.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(E. London)"