In Ever Loving Memory Of
Pte. Edward Cyril DRURY
15th King's Liverpool Regiment
Died of Wounds October 13th 1916
Aged 18 Years
Son of Charles William and Lucy Drury, of 53, Fifth Avenue, Queens Park, North Kensington, London.
I was contacted by David Craigen and he sent me these notes:
A GREAT WAR FAMILY GRAVE IN ENGLAND
by David Craigen
It began, as many of our stories do, with a chest from the attic. The chest had belonged to my grandfather who served for the 4 years and survived the war. I was aware of brothers who also served and
were lost, but I had few details.
In the chest was a small black and white picture of a cross and plinth with the name Edward Cyril Drury engraved. A search of the Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC) website led me to Netley
cemetery Southampton.
Netley was once the site of the British army’s largest military hospital; the hospital was built
in the 19th century and reached its greatest capacity in the Great War.
All that remains now is the chapel and tower in a beautiful park overlooking Southampton Water.
I found Edward’s gravestone in the hospital cemetery in the wood behind the park – it was very sad to see from the dates that he enlisted and served underage, and another brother Maurice who is
buried in France also commemorated on the back of the gravestone.
The gravestone had fallen into disrepair with time – the cross on the top had gone and there was a rusting piece of steel where the cross had once been joined to the plinth.
I contacted CWGC, they offered to replace the gravestone with a standard gravestone at their expenses, but I decided to try a repair. CWGC referred me to an approved stonemason who advised me, and I
arranged for the stonemason to place a new stone over the rust. He added a carved cross, and also an inscription to my grandfather, so all three brothers who served are now commemorated
together.
It cost me a little money, but enabled me to preserve as much as was possible.
Thank you very much for sending me this and all the other information David.
Edward was baptised on August 23rd 1898 in the parish of Saint Marks, Notting Hill. His parents were Charles William and Lucy. Charles was a coachman and the family lived at 11 Scampston Mews. Edward was born on 7thJune 1898.
From Ancestry.co.uk. Baptism record.
1891 census has Charles and Lucy living at 14 Royal Crescent Mews Kensington with Kate, Amy, Alice, Lucy and Lily. Charles is a cab driver/groom.
The 1911 census has Charles age 54, Lucy age 53, Sam 19,
Maurice 17,
Ella 15, Edward 12 and Leonard 10 all living at 31 Campden Houses Peel Street, Kensington London. They have 10 children all still living.
S/31185 Corporal Arthur James DUNCAN
See Burials with Medals and Awards
7040098 Private Robert DUNN
See Burials with Medals and Awards
In Sweet Memory Of
My Dear Freddie
Sapper F.ERWOOD R.E.
Who Died January 19th 1915
Aged 21
Never Forgotten By His
Sweetheart Lucy
Son of George and Julia Erwood, of 26, Victoria Rd., Netley Abbey, Hants.
Frederick Maurice was the son of George and Julia Erwood of 26 Victoria Rd Netley Abbey. He was with the Royal Engineers no 40847.
1911 census has Fred age 18, a house painter living with parents George 61, Julia 40, and siblings Hilda 7, and Evelyn 9 at 26 Victoria Rd Netley.
Father George was a stationary engine driver at Netley Hospital. They used steam engines for power.