INDENTLieutenant George Leslie Drewry V.C., born 1894, Forest Gate, London, joined the Mercantile Marine after leaving Merchant Taylor's School, Blackheath; early during his service he was wrecked and spent 14 days on a desert island living on edible roots and shell-fish; he joined the P. & O. service as an officer, 1912 and in the following year he entered the Royal Naval Reserve. Drewry was called up for active service, August 1914 and was appointed Midshipman, H.M.S. Hussar. He was awarded the Victoria Cross (the first R.N.R./Merchant Navy award) for his gallantry in the famous landings from the S.S. River Clyde on the Gallipoli Peninsula 25 April 1915. (London Gazette 16.8.1915)

The converted Collier River Clyde with over 2,000 troops on board grounded at "V" beach at 6.10 a.m.; the lighters which were to form a bridge to the beach failed to position correctly, leaving a gap between them. Unable to cross, some men jumped into the sea and attempted to wade to the beach but many were cut down by the murderous rifle, pom-pom and machine-gun fire from the Turkish shore positions - those who reached the beach struggled through masses of barbed wire and other obstacles. Midshipman Drewry assisted Commander Unwin and Seaman Williams to tour and secure the boats in an attempt to bridge the gap. Although wounded in the head, Drewry continued his work and twice subsequently attempted to swim from lighter to lighter with a line (considerable biographical and service detail accompany the plaque). Five naval Victoria Crosses were awarded for this operation

Lieutenant Drewry V.C. while in command of H.M.T. William Jackson, on the Northern Patrol was fatally injured 2 August 1918 when a block from the end of a derrick fell on his head. A stained glass window was erected to his memory in All Saint's Church, Forest Gate