Private 30189 William Drew

Killed in Action on Saturday, 28th April 1917, age 31.
Buried in Grave I. B. 19. at Croisilles Railway Cemetery, Pas De Calais, France.

9th Bn., Devonshire Regiment. 20th Brigade of 7th Division.

Son of John and Ann Maria Drew, of 25 Farley Street, West Bromwich, Staffs.
Born: West Bromwich, Enlisted: Wednesbury, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, post 31st December 1915.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the St. Peter's, Greets Green Memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/316739/

Genealogical Data

Birth of William Drew registered December quarter 1885 in West Bromwich. Mother's maiden name was Hayward. He was actually born on 8th October 1885, at 34 Cophall Street, West Bromwich.

1901 Census
25 Farley Street, West Bromwich, Staffs.
John Drew (46, Brickyard Labourer, born West Bromwich), his wife Ann M. (45, born West Bromwich), and their 8 children: Mary A. (24, born West Bromwich), Enoch (20, Foundry Labourer, born West Bromwich), Ann M. (17, born West Bromwich), William (15, Glassworks Labourer, born West Bromwich), Rebecca (13, born West Bromwich), James H. (6, born West Bromwich), Joseph H. (4, born West Bromwich), and Baby (3 weeks, born West Bromwich).

1911 Census
25 Farley Street, West Bromwich, Staffs.
John Drew (56, Labourer in Iron Foundry, born West Bromwich), his wife Ann Maria (55, born West Bromwich), and 6 of their 9 surviving children of 13: Ann Maria (27, Washwoman, born West Bromwich), William (25, Iron Moulder, born West Bromwich), Rebecca (23, Domestic Servant, born West Bromwich), James Henry (16, Tag Heater, born West Bromwich), Joseph Herbert (14, Art & Craft Student, born West Bromwich), and Edward (10, School, born West Bromwich).

Personal Data

William is the brother of James Henry Drew who was killed on 14th July 1916 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment.

After William's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £1/1/1d (1 pound, 1 shilling and 1 penny); this was paid to his mother and sole legatee, Mrs Ann Marie Drew, in December 1917. His War Gratuity was £7/10/0d (7 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his mother, in December 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that William had enlisted in approximately August 1915.

WIlliam's mother, Mrs Ann Maria Drew, was awarded a Dependant's Pension but it's initial value is not recorded. Her address at that time was 25 Farley Street, West Bromwich. Ann Maria died in June quarter 1920 and the Dependant's Pension transferred to her husband, John Drew; the value of the pension at that time was 8/6d (8 shillings and 6 pence) per week. John died in March quarter 1930 and it seems that the Dependant's Pension transferred to William's sister, Miss Ann Maria Drew.

Action resulting in his death

One of the most famous stories of the Great War involves the 9th Devons. Captain Duncan Martin of the 9th Devons saw that their attack plan for the opening day of the Battle of the Somme (1st July 1916) led them directly into the German machine guns opposite them at The Shrine, near Mametz. When on leave just before the attack, he made a topographic model in plasticine to illustrate this. This was to no avail and the day unfolded exactly as he foresaw, Captain Martin and 164 more men of the 9th Devons were killed on that day. Many of them are buried in Devonshire Cemetery near the spot from which they had advanced - a wooden plaque was erected saying "The Devonshires held this trench, the Devonshires hold it still". The plaque still stands, but replaced and now in stone.

It is possible that William was present on the 1st July with the 9th Devons at Mametz, having enlisted in August 1915.

The Battle of Arras commenced on 9th April 1917, but before that day certain fortified villages were to be captured to clear the way for the main assault. On 2nd April, the 9th Devons, along with the 8th Devons, attacked and captured Écoust-Saint-Mein, south of the main Arras battlefield, near Bullecourt. Their next major contribution to the Battle of Arras was at Bullecourt on 6th/7th May 1917; this was too late for William.

After the capture of Écoust-Saint-Mein, the 9th Devons spent the next 3 weeks out of the line providing working parties. They moved back into the front line on 24th April, remaining until relieved on the night of 29th/30th April. During this period they had 5 men killed, which by the standards of the Battle of Arras was a quiet time. Three men were killed on 28th April, including William Drew; all the War Diary for that days says is "Battalion in the Front Line". William is buried in Croisilles Railway Cemetery.

Newspaper Cuttings

Birmingham Daily Post 1st February 1917
RANK AND FILE: MIDLANDS MEN.
The following casualties amongst warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men are reported under various dates:
WOUNDED.
DEVON R.- Drew, 31089, W., (Tipton).