A Collection of 1914 Stars to the Royal Naval Division

Nine: Orderly Room Sergeant J. F. Drew, Motor Transport Section, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, later Naval Store Officer, Royal Navy and attached Indian Government

1914 Star, with clasp (Ldn. Z35. J. F. Drew, 1st, Wtr. R.N.V.R. Motor Transport R.N.D.); British War and Victory Medals (L.Z.35 J. F. Drew. Ord. R.N.V.R,); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Indian Independence 1947 (N.S. Offr. J. F. Drew, I.N.) generally very fine or better, scarce (9) £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of 1914 Stars to the Royal Naval Division.

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John Frederick Drew was born in Gillingham, Kent in March 1896. He was employed as a Clerk working at Messrs T. Robinsons Limited of Oxford Street, London, prior to volunteering for war service with the Royal Navy. Drew signed a three year engagement in the London Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, 1 September 1914. He was posted as Writer 1st Class to the Motor Transport Section of the newly formed Royal Naval Division, and accompanied the 160 strong Motor Transport Section which included the volunteer drivers and mechanics from the London General Omnibus Company. Drew found himself in charge of the Transport Section’s Office, with two other Writers beneath him.

Following the fall of Antwerp, Drew returned to the UK in November 1914. He was posted to the Royal Naval Division Depot at Crystal Palace, prior to serving in Gallipoli with the R.N.D. Drew was evacuated from Gallipoli, returned to the UK, and then served with the 63rd (Naval) Division in France from September 1916. He primarily served at the Base Record Office at Rouen, and was appointed Orderly Room Sergeant, Drake Battalion in March 1919. Drew left France, 9 May 1919, and was demobilised two days later.

Drew joined the Naval Store Department of the Admiralty in 1920, and advanced to Acting Assistant Naval Store Officer in July 1932. He served as Assistant Naval Store Officer at Cape Town Dockyard, South Africa from May 1934, and as Deputy Naval Store Officer at Wei-Hai-Wei Dockyard, Chine from February 1939. Subsequent war postings included: Singapore from November 1939; Trincomalee Dockyard from November 1941; Alexandria Dockyard from June 1942; and as Acting Naval Store Officer at Kilindini, East Africa from June 1943. Drew was detached as Naval Store Officer for service with the Indian Government in April 1947.

Sold with copied research.