Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The mounted group of seven miniature dress medals worn by Chief Officer G. Drury, City of Plymouth Fire Brigade

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type badge, silver-gilt; Queen’s Fire Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue [sic], for Distinguished Service; British War and Victory Medals; Defence Medal; Coronation 1953; Fire Brigade Long Service Medal, E.II.R., mounted as worn, generally very fine (7) £80-£120

O.B.E. London Gazette 15 June 1945.

M.B.E. London Gazette 4 March 1941:
‘During heavy air raids on Bristol, Mr Drury displayed operational efficiency of a high order, involving ability in organisation, ingenuity and resourcefulness. In addition he has shown high courage and endurance. He attended, personally, a number of large fires, arranged water supplies, organised additional assistance and, with the co-operation of the authorities, evolved an extremely effective fire fighting organisation.’

Queen’s Fire Service Medal, for Distinguished Service London Gazette 1 January 1957.

George Drury was the son of J. Drury of Kingston-on-Thames. He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps as an Air Mechanic 2nd Class, 2 November 1916, advanced to Corporal 1 January 1918, and served in the French theatre of war from 2 January 1917. Drury advanced to Flight Sergeant Mechanic in December 1918.

Prior to the Great War, Drury’s employment was listed as Cycle Maker, Engineer and Fireman. He served with the National Fire Service, and initially served during the Second War as Regional Fire Brigades Inspector, South Western Civil Defence H.Q., Bristol (M.B.E.). Drury was subsequently appointed the Fire Force Commander of No. 19 (Plymouth) Fire Force later in the war (O.B.E). Drury became the Chief Fire Officer of the newly formed City of Plymouth Fire Brigade, 1 April 1948.

For the recipient’s related full size awards, see Lot 21.