MILITARY CROSS
Queen's South Africa Medal,
(Cape Colony, Transvaal, South Africa 1902)
1914 Star & Bar
(Mentioned in Despatches, "Twice" by Generals French & Haig)
To:
Chaplain to The Forces,
The Reverend William DRURY. A.C.D.
A well known,highly literate and much published clergyman.
An excellent and enigmatic group to one of WW1's most communicative clergymen. William Drury came from a long line of Anglican churchmen and served in the Boer War and in World War One as an Army Chaplain. Accompanying the group are various sheets of reference which summarise many of the recent articles which have been written based on Drury's voluminous communications from South Africa, from where he wrote some 25 pages per week to his parents ..and in addition several highly descriptive letters from France in WW1.
Although L.G.records wise this is a 'King's Birthday Honours' award, please be fully aware that ALL awards of the Military Cross are based on the essential premise that the services rendered were " Gallant and Distinguished Services in Action" so this M.C. was, as is the case with all others to clergymen, absolutely based on some acts or deeds of valour undertaken by the recipient. Usually with members of The Church and due to the religious nature of men of the cloth, this was invariably in connection with the rescue of casualties in or very close to the front line and these actions were almost always undertaken with the upmost bravery and gallantry. Indeed, and refering to copies of one of his letters home to his mother which was written on Sunday October 25th 1914 from 17th Field Ambulance records, he confirms by reference to the conditions that basically he is right in the thick of it ministering to severely and terribly wounded men. He also records that he was out at night collecting wounded with a young doctor and further stating that to "bury his cartload of dead" he had to be quick about it as his last burial ground was a "dangerous place"
One is left in no doubt as to the manner of the quite obvious acts of bravery
this chaplain undertook in during World War I.
(Reverend W. Drury circa, 1917)
(Mrs Irene Drury, Nee Whitworth 1905)
A classic & magnificent group with huge research potential.
Generally EF
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