World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He was gazetted for the award posthumously on January 22, 1916, for his actions as a corporal with the 8th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, British Army, on November 23, 1915, near La Brique, Belgium. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 23rd Nov., 1915, near La Brique, France. He was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitring towards the German lines. The patrol was discovered when close to the enemy who opened heavy fire with rifles and a machine gun, wounding the Officer and one man. The latter was carried back by the last remaining man. Corporal Drake remained with his Officer and was last seen kneeling beside him and bandaging his wounds regardless of the enemy's fire. Later a rescue party crawling near the German lines found the Officer and Corporal, the former unconscious but alive and bandaged, Corporal Drake beside him dead and riddled with bullets. He had given his own life and saved his Officer." His Victoria Cross is on display at the in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the British Imperial War Museum in London, England.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He was gazetted for the award posthumously on January 22, 1916, for his actions as a corporal with the 8th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, British Army, on November 23, 1915, near La Brique, Belgium. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 23rd Nov., 1915, near La Brique, France. He was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitring towards the German lines. The patrol was discovered when close to the enemy who opened heavy fire with rifles and a machine gun, wounding the Officer and one man. The latter was carried back by the last remaining man. Corporal Drake remained with his Officer and was last seen kneeling beside him and bandaging his wounds regardless of the enemy's fire. Later a rescue party crawling near the German lines found the Officer and Corporal, the former unconscious but alive and bandaged, Corporal Drake beside him dead and riddled with bullets. He had given his own life and saved his Officer." His Victoria Cross is on display at the in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the British Imperial War Museum in London, England.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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