The AIF Project

Patrick John DREW

Regimental number6517
Place of birthSt Kilda, Victoria
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationEngineer
Address72 Argyle Street, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinFather, H F Drew, 72 Argyle Street, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria
Enlistment date7 July 1915
Rank on enlistmentCorporal
Unit nameField Artillery Brigade 4, Battery 11
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/32/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 18 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll4th Field Artillery Brigade
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


For conspicuous gallantry in continuing to fire his gun in the face of heavy enemy howitzer fire and gas shells.
Recommendation date: 22 May 1917

FateKilled in Action 9 September 1917
Age at death from cemetery records23
Place of burialThe Huts Cemetery (Plot V, Row A, Grave No. 9), Dickebusch, Belgium
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
13
Medals

Military Medal

'On the morning of the 15th May, Acting Sergeant DREW was No. 1 on a detached gun about 300 yards from the main battery position. In response to an "S.O.S." signal, this was in action and was soon engaged by an enemy 5.9" howitzer which had previously registered on the position. The enemy also used a lot of gas shells. The telephonist was gassed, the lines to the Battery cut, the officers and all but one gunner were wounded and sent away, but, although suffering slightly from gas, Sergeant DREW and Gunner TOOGOOD continued to fire the gun until it was put out of action, when they reported for further duty at the main Battery position, Sergeant DREW's gallant conduct set a particularly fine example to his detachment under the most trying conditions.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189
Date: 8 November 1917

Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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