DREW OF GLASGOW & WESTMORELAND
In 1687, John Drew married Bethia Hamilton. Bethia may have been a sister of Charles Hamilton of Wetherley in Scotland. Born on 17th December 1678, he was a son of William Hamilton, 3rd of Wishaw (son of William Hamilton, 1st of Wishaw) and Mary Erskine (daughter of Hon. Sir Charles Erskine of Alva). In 1699, Charles married Euphemia Hamilton, daughter of Sir Archibald Hamilton of Rosehall, 1st Bt. and Anne Murray. They had at least two sons, one called Archibald, and two daughters, Charlotte and Bethia. The latter was born on 31st January 1702, married her cousin William Hamilton of Wishaw and lived until 2nd October 1785. It may be that she was named for an aunt who married John Drew?
John and Bethia Drew had six sons and a daughter. Their first two sons James (b. 1688) and Walter (b. 1690) died in infancy. Another Walter was born in 1692 but we know no more. Nor do we know more of the fourth son James (b. 1694), fifth son Lawrence (b. 1697) or daughter Margaret (b. 1699). Our Drew family descend from the sixth and youngest son Joseph.
Joseph Drew was born in 1702 and chirstened on 21 April 1702. He lived in Glasgow until at least 1746. In 1730 he married Christian Boyce [Bryce] who bore him at least seven sons and a daughter. She was probably the Christian Boyce, daughter of Alexander Bryce and wife Margaret Findlay, who was christened on 20 May 1705. (Alexander and Margaret were married on 21 July 1703). Again, infant mortality took care of the first three sons, Joseph (b. 1731), James (christened 7 June 1733) and Alexander (ch. 25 Aug 1734). Nor do we know the fate of three of the younger sons - Alexander (ch. 25 Aug 1739), James (ch. 19 Feb 1744) and Christian (b. 1746), or their daughter Margaret (christened 25 Mar 1736). However, we do know that another son Joseph Drew (ch. 1 August 1742), was christened on 1 Aug 1742 and went from Scotland to Georgia and then to South Carolina. He fled from SC during the American Revolution and moved north to New Brunswick, Canada, with his wife Mary (Her surname unknown, searches in Georgia and SC have not revealed a marriage so he may have married prior to coming to America) and his children - two sons, John and James, and three daughters Mary, Christian/na and Elizabeth (who married another Loyalist, Luke Keirstead). Joseph died in Saint John, New Brunswick, in 1808. For more on Joseph Drew, follow this link.
Our story sticks with Jospeh and Christian's eldest surviving son, John Drew.
John Drew was born in 1737 and christened on New Year's Day 1738. He lived until at least 1797. In 1775 he married Janet Shirrat. She bore him four daughters and five sons. Three of these died in infancy, namely Janet (b. 1779), another Janet (b. 1781) and James (b. 1786). The firstborn daughter Elizabeth (b. 1776) married Mr Brown. The second daughter Mary (b. 1778) married Mr Carruthers of Dumfries. No more is yet known of the three younger sons – James (b. 1791), Joseph (b. 1793) or William (b. 1797). Our story sticks with the firstborn son, John Drew.
John Drew was born in 1783 and was a merchant in Glasgow. On 25th April 1814, he was married in Glasgow to Ann Lindsay, daughter of Mr Alexander Lindsay, baker. There is a copy of their wedding certificate in the cockloft at Lisnavagh. Ann gave him four sons (Alexander, John, James and William) and four daughters. John died on 9th May 1865 and was buried in Glasgow Cathedral. Ann survived him four years, passing away on 30th December 1869. Their eldest daughter Janet was born in 1816, never married and lived until November 1909, when she was buried in Glasgow Cathedral. The second daughter Eliza died unmarried in 1849 and was also interred in Glasgow Cathedral. The third daughter Margaret was married in 1846 to William McNaught and is dealt with anon. The youngest daughter Mary Ann married Isaac Andrews and is also dealt with anon.
John and Ann Drew’s eldest son Alexander was born in Glasgow on 18th February 1815 and lived at Creggandarroch, Blairmore. On 14th April 1841, he married his first wife, Isabella Robertson. (She was born on 8th April 1821). They had eight children before Isabella’s death on 4th February 1853, to whom we will turn to shortly. In 1858, Alexander married secondly 26-year-old Aline Sutherland Campbell. They had no children and Aline died in 1888. Alexander survived until 27th July 1899. An obituary at Lisnavagh from an unnamed newspaper described him as 'a native of Glasgow [who] for many years occupied a prominent position amongst its most useful and enlightened citizens. He was a man of wide culture and refined tastes. His reading was extensive and careful, especially in historical subjects and certain branches of science. He was a shrewd businessman, and in his commercial relations practiced principles of probity which, unfortunately, are now to some extent old-fashioned. Neither his gifts nor his inclinations were such as to make for him a figure in public life, but in a quiet and most helpful manner he did good work in the interests of many public institutions of his native city. He was for some years a director of Haldane's Academy of Art. He was also a useful member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Clyde Trust, and was connected with several of the Societies of the West of Scotland. He came to reside in Blairmore about twenty years ago, and, though living there a life of considerable retirement, contrived to take a leading part in the affairs of the district. He represented the Kilmun part of the parish on the Dunoon and Kilmun School Board. He was the first district representative at the County Council, of which his large knowledge of business principles made him a useful member. He was mainly instrumental in promoting the district water supply which has proved an inestimable boon. Mr. Drew attained a ripe old age and most of the generation to which he belonged have passed away'. His remains were laid to rest, 'in the presence of many friends', in the Northern Necropolis of Glasgow.
John and Ann Drew’s second son John Drew was born in 1819 and moved to Australia where he settled at Bet Bet. He was married and died on 13th August 1913, leaving a daughter Margaret. She married Mr Davidson of Sydney. They had two sons, John Drew Davidson and William Davidson, and a daughter Nellie. John was married and became father to Mavis (b. May 1909). William never married. Nellie married a Mr Hannam and seems to have been mother to another Mavis (b. Feb 1908).
John and Ann Drew’s third son James also moved to Australia and died in 1870. He married a Miss Lawson and had two sons. The eldest son John had descendents but trace was lost by the time the tree was connected. The younger son James died on 19th June 1919 leaving a daughter Annie who was based in Australia. This branch could be connected to Robert Drew, born in Ipswich, Queensland in 1889, and who actually took the surname of his mother's family (ie Drew). His great-great-grandson Alasdair Drew contacted me with this information in December 2009.
John and Ann Drew’s youngest son William was born in February 1828 and died on 11th January 1912. His wife Elizabeth Campbell Brown was born on 14th January 1833 and died on 22nd September 1921. The date of their marriage is unknown. They had four sons and four daughters.
The eldest child Mary Ann Drew was born on 30th July 1859 and died unmarried on 22nd December 1908.
The second child John and third child Elizabeth died in their infancy.
The fourth child William Drew was born on 22nd April 1862, married in 1893 to Leonora Guild SP and died on 31st December 1932.
The fifth child Augustus James Drew was born on 13th May 1866 and died in October 1903.
The sixth child Janet was born on 1st April 1869 and married on 22nd September 1898 to Cecil Godfrey Hay. Cecil died on 20th March 1919, a twin boy and girl Cecil George Jackson Hay and Ceilia Elizabeth Campbell Hay, born 14th August 1899.
The seventh child (Lady) Alexandrina Sutherland Campbell was born on 1st January 1871 and married on 4th September 1910 to Sir Philip James MacDonell, M.A. Oxon, B.C.L. (1873-1940), sometime Chief Justice of Trinidad & Tobago (1927-30). In 2009, I was contacted by a gentleman who had come into posession of various photos / papers belonging to Lady Alexandrina so if there is a family historian / archivist out there who would have some interest in them, let me know and I shall endeavour to track down same.
The eight and youngest child Charles Hugh Drew was born on 24th February 1875. He as married in 1910 to Florence Grace McNeill. They were divorced in 1929. He married secondly on 15th July 1929 Alison McKenzie Lindsay.
John and Ann Drew’s third daughter Margaret was married on 24th September 1846 to William McNaught. They had five sons and a daughter.
The eldest son John Lindsay McNaught lived from 24th April 1848 to April 1896 and was married to Emma Wilding (d. August 1874).
Nothing is known of the younger sons bar their names and dates – William (15/4/1852 – 4/1902); Robert (8 / 12 / 1853 – Oct 1933); Duncan (3/5/1856 – 9/1912) and Lindsay Frederick (13/6/1858 – 7/1910).
The only daughter Anne Margaret McNaught was born on 31st July 1850. At the age of 20, she was married on 20th April 1870 to William Henry McKerrow (d. 1888-9). They had a son Duncan (b. 3 / 1872, married, 2 children) and three daughters, Edith (b. 12/1870, New York), Muriel Mary and Maud Annie. Anne Margaret died in 1935.
John and Ann drew’s youngest daughter Mary Ann was married in 1844 to Isaac Andrews. They had two sons and two daughters.
The eldest child Anne Andrews, was born on 30th April 1845 and married on 5th May 1868 to (her cousin?) John Andrews. They had issue – Mary Ann (b. 29/7/1869; d. 25/2/1885); Eva (b. 28 / 8 / 1872), John Drennan (b. 18 / 8 / 1873); Ethel (b. 16 / 2 / 1876) and William Isaac Lennox (b. 14 / 3 / 1878). Of these we have record of Ethel marrying Norman de Wind by whom she had two sons, Norman John Stone (b. 9 / 3 / 1912) and Adrien William Andrews (b. 1 /12 / 1913).
The second child Thomas James Andrews was born on 8th August 1847 and died on 23rd March 1908. He was married on 15th September 1881 to Helen Ardill (b. 1864).
The third child John Andrews was born on 10th July 1849 and died on 25th October 1920. On 27th September 1872 he married Mary Jeffery, by whom he had three sons – Ernest Wood (b. 13 August 1873, d. 1937), Oscar (b. 24 / 7 / 1876) and Sydney (b . 19 / 12 / 1877) - and a daughter, Agnes (b. 13 / 3 / 1879). Oscar was married on 25th July 1904 to Amy Lyttle and had two daughters, Mary Winifred (b. 11 / 9 / 1905) and Betty Marianne (b. 29 / 1 / 1911). Sydney was married to Mary Lyttle (Amy’s sister?) and had a son David (b. 13 / 3 / 1907) and two daughters, Kathleen (b. 14 / 8 / 1908) and Marjorie (b. 6 / 5 / 1912).
The fourth child Frances was born on 28th February 1851; we know no more.
It is time now to return to the children of Alexander Drew of Blairmore (1815–1899) by his first wife Isabella Robertson. Their eldest son John was born in 1842 but died aged six in 1848. Their eldest daughter Elizabeth died aged three in 1847. Another son Alexander died in 1846.
With all three of their first infants dead by the year 1847, Alexander and Isabella Drew’s hopes cannot have been high for another boy born on 2nd May 1847. They also christened him Alexander Drew. As it happened this child survived until 1936. On 26th September 1878, he married Alice Ashworth (b. 26 Aug 1857) who bore him a son Edward (b. 19 July 1880) and four daughters.
He established the textile company that would become one of the major players in Rochdale, Lancashire, with an address at Rainshore Mill in Norden. On 22nd February 1929, The Times carried a heading in its business section of ‘NEW ISSUE SUCCESSES’. The lead story read: ‘Owing to oversubscription, the list for the issue by Alexander Drew & Sons of 200,000 Seven per cent Cumulative Preference shares were closed at 10:30am yesterday. It will not be possible to consider any applications received after the time of the closing of the list’. Seven months later, on 28th September, the same newspaper explained that ‘letter of allotment and regret for the issue of Preference share sin Alexander Drew & Sons have been posted’. On 18th June 1936, The Times reported that Alexander Drew & Sons, calico printers and merchants, had incurred a loss of £17,115 for the year to March 31st (against a profit of £1,629 for 1934-35). ‘This increases the debt balance to £29, 588’. A meeting was scheduled for June 24th. Things had improved somewhat by 28th June 1937 when The Times noted that the accounts for Alexander Drew & Sons, with address at Manchester, had ‘after allowing £5,836 for depreciation, shown loss of £1,444 for 1936, against £17,115. The debit balance is thus increased to £31,033. It is stated in the report that no payment of any dividend can be made, but that there has been an improvement of turnover, chiefly owing to the demand for the Coronation’. A meeting was scheduled for July 5th. The double Coronation must have helped but by 1938, the company seems to have been struggling desperately. On 28th June 1938, the same paper reported that ‘after allowing £5,811 (against £5,836) for depreciation, the loss for the year ended March 31st is £28, 757 (against a loss of £1,444). This increases the debit balance carried forward to £59, 790’.
On 7th September 1951, The Times noted that business had become ‘much brisker … and the improvement continues’ for Alexander Drew & Sons, by then a subsidiary of Holcombe Holdings (formerly Holcombe Investments) During the 1990s, Alexander Drew of Rochdale was still one of England’s foremost and innovative textile companies, specializing in dyeing, finishing and printing, with some 350 workers. In August 2005 the company announced it was to close down production with the loss of 60 jobs. [1]
The eldest child Dorothy was born on 15th August 1879 and died on 3rd November 1911. She was married on11th December 1901 to Dr Thomas Scott, MD (14/6/ 1867 – 29/9/1929). They had a son John (b. 25/10 / 1904; married Nov 1936 Hazel Eva) and daughter Margaret (b. 14/2/1906; m. 7/11/1931 Charles Wortley, parents of Ann Wortley, b. 15/8/1935).
The second child and only son Edward was born o 19th July 1880 and married on 19th November 1913 to Margaret Kay Baron (b.20/7/1891). They had two sons Alexander (b. 17/2/1915) and Gordon Arthur (b. 26/7/1916) and a daughter Margaret (b. 18/4/1920).
The third child Shiela was born on 24th June 1882 and married on 29th October 1918 to George Sutcliffe (b. 11/2/1864).
The fourth child Alice Ashworth was born on 13th October 1883 and married on 12th February 1913 to William Birtwistle (b. 1/7/1884). They had two sons William Gerald Peter (b. 22/2/1914) and John Norman Drew (b. 25 / 2 1920) and three daughters - Thelma Alice Ashworth (b. 23/8/1921), Dorothy Cynthia Monica (b. 18/9/1924), Olga Allison Madge (b. 7/1/1927).
The fifth and youngest child Helen Oliver was born on 23rd June 1888 and married on 1st June 1911 to Harry Hargreaves Bolton (b. 9/2/1886). They had a son George Henry Hargreaves (b. 14/2/1914) and daughter Rhona Helen Allen (b. 2/4/1915). Harry died of wounds on 24th May 1915.
Alexander and Isabella Drew’s eldest surviving daughter Isabella was born on 11th September 1848. On 12th November 1874 she married Charles Tennant Sloan (24/11/1849 – 23/10/1929). They had surviving a daughter Ethel and two sons, Alexander and Douglas. (Their firstborn children, twin daughters, died in infancy shortly after their birth in 1876).
Their only daughter Ethel Caroline Tennant Sloan was born on 16th March 1878 and married on 6th April 1904 to Leonard Southerden Wood (b. 9/4/1878). They had two daughters, Angela Isabel Mary Tenant (b. 31/7/1908; m. 24.6/1931 Reginald Fisher Woodhouse) and Ethel Caroline Tennant (b. 14/11/1916; d. 7/6/1919).
The eldest son Alexander Drew Sloan was born on 23rd February 1883 and married on 12th June 1923 to Muriel Parker (b. 26/1/1882). Their son Peter Sloan was born on 22nd July 1911.
The younger son Douglas Tennant Sloan was born on 23rd March 1892 and married on 12th June 1923 Elizabeth Grace Odlam (b. 1892). They had a daughter, Maureen Isobel Tennant, born 2/2/1932.
Alexander and Isabella Drew’s second surviving son Daniel was my great-great-grandfather and lived at Lower House, Burnley. He was born on 13th October 1850 and studied at Glasgow Academy. At the age of 21, he was selected as a forward for the first ever Scottish international rugby team which took on England on 27th March 1871. 4000 people wacthed the match at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh. Scotland won by a goal. This was the match in which Daniel’s fellow forward Angus Buchanan (1847 - 1927) scored the first try in international rugby when the Scottish pack pushed the English over their try-line and Buchanan fell on the ball. According to Wikipedia’s entry on Mr. Buchanan, this try ‘was converted by William Cross, which created the score (crucially because it was goals that counted, not tries). The English argued that the try shold not stand, but it was awarded by the umpire Dr Hely Hutchinson Almond [who, also Scottish], made a questionable justification of his decision: ‘Let me make a confession: I do not know whether the decision which gave Scotland the try from which the winning goal was kicked was correct in fact. When an umpire is in doubt, I think he is justified in deciding against the side which makes the most noise. They are probably in the wrong.’ According to one of the English players: "after a maul, just outside the English goal-line the umpires ordered the ball to be put down in the scrummage five yards outside the line. It was taken was out accordingly, but, instead of putting it down, the Scottish forwards drove the entire scrummage into goal, and then then grounded the ball and claimed a try. This, though illegal according to English laws, was allowed by the umpires and the goal was kicked by Cross.’ (With thanks to Andy Mitchell).
He earned his second cap for Scotland against England in a match played at The Oval in London on 6th March 1876; this time England won by a goal. Daniel Drew died aged 64 on 2nd February 1914, thus being spared the news of his second son’s death on the Western Front. On 19th December 1878 he married 26-year-old Rhoda Appleby (b. 23/1/1851). She died on 3rd June 1919. They had a daughter, Margery and two sons, John Malcolm and Alan Appleby.
Margery Rhoda was born on 8th June 1880 and died aged 43 on 2nd March 1923. On 20th January 1912, she married John Oscar Sillem (b. 12/1878).
Daniel and Rhoda Drew's eldest son, my great-grandfather, John Malcom Drew, or Jack Drew, was born on 8th November 1881 and died aged 54 on 2nd May 1935. On 5th August 1909, he married Edith Sylvia Peart Robinson (b. 13/11/1887), known in Sylvia but sometimes referred to in my family as ‘The Woman in Black’. Full details of her family wll be found here.
Jack and Sylvia had three daughters – Pamela (my grandmother) (b. 11/9/1910), Diana (b. 17/8/1912) and Hermoine ('Golly') (b. 16/2/1916) – and two sons, John Lindsay (9/6/1914 – 19/12/1935) and Anthony Radley (b. 21/8/1918). I brush my hair (nearly) every morning with JLD's hairbrush which makes me feel especially connected to him but his is a sad tale, about which I hope to write more anon.
On the weekend of January 21st – 22nd 1923, The Times reported that both John and Pamela Drew had been in attendance for a coming out house party thrown by Lord and Lady Baden Powell for their daughter, the Hon, Heather Baden-Powell. It took place after the Hambledon Hunt Ball at the B-P’s house, Pax Hill, Bentley. Also present were John Powell, Charles Herbert, Betty Strover, Derek Adkins, Victor Rickford-Howells and Miss Priscilla Thomson. (The Times, Court Circular, 23rd January 1933).
Pamela was among those artists represented at the fifth annual Spring Exhibition of the Kendal Art Society at the Public Library. She attended the opening on Saturday Ma 16th 1936 by Lady Maureen Stanley, wife of the President of the Board of Education. The president of the Society was James Bateman, ARA, and it had a membership of 38. The other artists represented included Lady Henry Bentinck, Dick Yeadon, Robin Wallace, Derek E Willink, Wilfrid M Harris, G Mortram Moorhouse, Arthur Bracken and Blanche Moorhouse. The exhibition remained open for a fortnight. (The Times, 18th May 1936).
On Tuesday November 2nd 1937, The Times announced that ‘the marriage between Lord Rathdonnell and Miss Pamela Drew will take place at Heversham Parish Church, Westmorland, on Thursday November 25th at 2:30pm. Owing to mourning in the bridegroom’s family there will be no reception, but all friends will be welcome at the church’. The Times reported on the wedding the day after it took place. The Bishop of Ossory, the Archdeacon of Furness, Canon Royds, and the Rev E.R. Ellis were the officiating clergy. Pamela was given away by her brother Anthony. She wore ‘a gown of parchment-tinted velvet with long, tight-fitting sleeves and a train in one with the skirt. Her tulle veil was edged with antique Brussels lace, lent by her grandmother, and held in place by a small wreath of orange blossom’ She carried a bouquet of Christmas roses, freesia, and myrtle, and wore an antique necklace of mother-of-pearl and seed pearls in vine-leaf design’. Her sister Diana was the only bridesmaid and wore a redingote dress of maize-coloured velveteen piped with red with a small red cap. Mr . H. C. Massy, 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, was best man. On account of the 3rd Baron's recent death, there was no reception afterwards. The couple went to Manchester on their honeymoon where they managed to catch the November Handicap. Pamela traveled in "a greenish-grey check tailor-made suit with a felt hat and jumper to tone". (The Times, Weddings, Friday November 26th 1937).
Daniel and Rhoda Drew's younger son Alan Appleby drew was born on 26th June 1884. He was appointed to a commission in the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion of the Cameronians in August 1914 and was promoted lieutenant that November. He joined the Regiment at the front on February 13th and witnessed less than four weeks action before he was killed at Neuve Chapelle on 10th March 1915. His death was recorded in ‘The Times’ List of Casualties on Thursday March 18th 1915. I now have his hairbrush.
It seems that many Burnley men enlisted in the Scottish Rifles (sometimes referred to as the Burnley Rifles). Some hold that this is literally because it was the same regiment that Alan Drew, the boss’s son, had joined. However, Burnley historian Andrew Gill holds that the Cameronians had a very successful recruiting campaign in the town because so many of the Burnley families were of Scottish descent.
I visited Alan's grave during a trip to the Western Front in May 2010 and one day I shall write up the story of that entire experience. Suffice it to say, that our party of four spent Day One at Ypres, then retreated to Waterloo 1815 for some light relief on Day Two, before returning for Day Three at the Somme. It took us several weeks to recover fully from being so close to the holocaust that was World War One. So God only knows how long it took anyone who was there during the war. Eternity I suppose.
The following extracts come from the 2nd Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) war diary for February and March 1915. The diaries give a daily account of the Battalions movements and actions leading up to and including the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. Lieutenant Drew is shown as joining the Battalion on February 26th and is also listed among those killed during the Battle. This information was sent to me in June 2010 by Barrie Duncan, Assistant Museums Officer, Community Resources, Museum Development, South Lanarkshire Council. Unfortunately they do not hold any records on individuals and so were unable to offer any personal information on Lieutenant Drew. For more information on the 2nd Battalion’s involvement in the Battle, Barrie recommended the book Morale: A Study of Men and Courage by John Baynes. This book was written by an officer of The Cameronians and the descriptions of the Battle are heavily based on the eye-witness accounts of several of the officers and men who survived.
1915
1st Feb - LA FLINQUE: Draft of 1 Cpl. And 39 men joined from ROUEN. Relieved 2/ Devons in the trenches. One man Killed . LIEUT. W.J. Kerr and three men wounded.
2nd Feb - Trenches near CHAPIGNY. One man Killed and one man wounded
3rd Feb - Trenches near CHAPIGNY. One man Killed and one man wounded
4th Feb - Trenches near CHAPIGNY. Relieved by 2/ Devons and went into billets in Divisional Reserve at PONT RIRCHON. One man killed and two wounded. One man reported missing. 2/LIEUTS. G.V.BOOKLESS and C.T.GRANT joined the Bn.
5th Feb - PONR RIRCHON. Nothing to report.
6th Feb - Nothing to report.
7th Feb - Relieved 2/ Devons in the Trenches. Three men wounded
8th Feb - Trenches near CHAPIGNY. Killed CAPT. & ADJT CO I MAUNSELL & two men. Three men wounded
9th Feb - Nothing to report
10th Feb - Two killed & four men wounded. Relieved by 2/ Devonshire Regt. and went into Brigade Reserve at LA FLINQUE
11th Feb - LA FLINQUE: Nothing to report
12th Feb - Nothing to report
13th Feb - Relieved 2/ Devons in the trenches, casualties – nil.
14th Feb - Three men wounded
15th Feb - One man wounded
16th Feb - Relieved by 2/ Devons and went into billets in Divisional Reserve at PONT RIRCHON. Two men wounded. Draft of 50 men joined from Base.
17th February - PONT RIRCHON: Nothing to record
18th Feb - Nothing to report
19th Feb - Relieved 2/Devons in the Trenches. Two men wounded
20th February - Trenches near CHAPIGNY. One man killed, four wounded.
21st Feb - Two men killed, two wounded
22nd Feb - No casualties. 1 Sergeant, 1 Corporal and 28 men joined from Base. Relieved by 2/ Devons and went into Brigade reserve at LA FLINQUE
23rd February - LA FLINQUE: One man wounded.
24th Feb - 2/LIEUT. S. de T. WILLIAMSON 3rd Bn. Scottish Rifles joined from Base.
25th Feb - Relieved 2/ Devons in the Trenches. One man wounded
26th Feb - Trenches near CHAPIGNY: LIEUT A A DREW 4th Bn. Scottish Rifles joined from Base HAVRE. Two men killed & three wounded
27th Feb - One man killed & one wounded.
28th Feb - One man wounded. W.B. GRAY- BUCHANAN CAPT.
1st March - Relieved by 1st Bn. Sherwood Foresters. CAPT. A.C. STANLEY CLARKE wounded, 1 man killed and two wounded. Billeted for the night at PONT RIRCHON
2nd March - MERVILLE: Marched to MERVILLE and went into billets in vicinity.
3rd March - LIEUT R.H.H.ROBERTSON 4th Bn. Scottish Rifles, one lance Sergt. & 19 men joined from Base.
4th March - Nothing to record
5th March - Nothing to record
6th March - Nothing to record
7th March - LA GORGUE: Moved into close billets at LA GORGUE. Three men missing, absent without leave.
8th March - In billets at LA GORGUE. Nothing to record---
March 9th - Nothing doing in the morning. Paraded at 10.45 pm & marched to “ Cameron Lane “ ie PONT du HOM- hot meal was issued there at 1am 10th.
March 10th [being the day Alan Appleby Drew was killed - tb]- At 2am marched across country to sign post corner – Single file - formed up in trenches as in map "A" by 5.30 am - guns started finished at 7 am. Bombardment of enemy trenches (wire cutting) 7.30 to 7.45 am. 7.45 to 8 bombardment of first line enemys trench - 8.5
A & B Coys left trenches and advanced on enemy front line in quick time - A Coy MAJOR EDE L. HAYES - B Coy CAPT FERRERS - C & D Coys then occupying trenches vacated by A & B. B Coy reached the first German trench with very little opposition - not so A Coy who met with a heavy rifle & M.G. fire - the German wire too was not well cut in front of this Coy by the Guns. A Coy experienced a heavy enfillade fire as the Bn. on its left - the 2 / Middx - could not get forward altho' making three gallant attempts. About 70 prisoners gave themselves up in the first line trenches. By the time the first line had been reached. Lt Col. W.M. BLISS & the ADJT. CAPT GRAY-BUCHANAN were killed close together practically leading the first line.
C & D Coy followed A & B at a short interval and the whole regt went on taking the German 2nd line - the regt had now arrived at points 21 q 82 & the right flank advanced past 41 as far as 18. the line now held 18, 41, 82 q 21 9.30 am, our guns now shelled 18. Heavy German rifle & machine gun fire came from 22. The 2/ Middlx were now able to advance and our gunners had cleared 22 - the whole line was now able to advance - the Bn occupied 53 & 19 - The Bn reached this point before our scheduled time - the (our) gunners opened fire on this line but fortunately the Bn retired before any material damage was done - they occupied a position 18, 65. At 2.15 p.m. MAJOR CARTER-CAMPBELL who by this time was the only officer left except 2/Lt. SOMERVAIL - was hit in the head & the Bn reoccupied 19,5 3. Where the 5th Black Watch were digging trenches. Very heavy M.G. from direction of Pt 5 began & was finally silenced by our machine guns time about 4 pm. The night of the 10th/11th was spent in trench 19. 53 and defended house 19. A hot meal and tea & ample rations were brought up Lt & Qr Master GRAHAM About 8 pm. the Sherwood Forresters came through the Bn advancing to a night attack. The night of 10th/11th was spent in digging & improving defenses of house.
March 11th - At 5.30 am. C Coy occupied position 55. 19 The remainder of the Bn stayed where they were heavily shelled with high explosive "Blk Marias" & shrapnel - very few casualties not worse than 2 or 3 men hit with shrapnel bullets. The night of 11th/12th was spent in the same position. The Bn again had a hot meal from the cookers brought up with great difficulty as the road was blocked & being heavily shelled.
March 12th - On the morning of this day - the Bn was in and about Pts 19. 55. 53 The subjected to heavy shell fire during the day - but did not suffer much 4 or 5 casualties only About 4 pm MAJOR CARTER-CAMPBELL was wounded & 2Lt SOMERVAIL, assisted by REGTL SGT MAJOR CHALMERS assumed command of the Bn at the time MAJOR CARTER-CAMPBELL was wounded - he was on his way from the 2/ W. Yorks Regt. where he had been making arrangements for a night attack. He was to have commanded both Bns. This command then devolved on MAJ INGPELL 2/ W. Yorks. About 8 pm the Bn formed up in the road at about pt 65 facing South. The Bn formed the advance guard & moved by 29.50. 31.They moved across country & joining up with 2/ Devons & formed a preparatory formation for a night attack. The night attack however did not come off - about 4 am 13th the night operations were cancelled.
March 13th - and the Bn returned to its position 19. 53. 55. In the morning of the 13th the Bn occupied 54. About 8 pm., after spending the day under shell fire, the Bn retired to 22. 77 where they remained all night.
March 14th - Consolidated the above position and about 4 pm retired back by Coys. through the German trenches to orchard 15. 16. 13. this night the Bn was relieved by the 25th Bde. the Bn was in reserve that night i.e. 14th/15th
Alexander & Isabella Drew’s third and youngest son Thomas was born on 7th June 1852 and died on 14th September 1921. A calico printer and merchant, he lived at Oak House, Fallowfield, in the City of Manchester,and had a townhouse at 15, Nicholas-street, Manchester. (The London Gazette, 12 September, 1922, p. 6616). On December 6th 1921, as London and Dublin honed the great Anglo-Irish Treaty, The Times reported that the gross value of Thomas’s will amounted to £56,189. He too was one of the directors of Alexander Drew & Sons, Lowerhouse Print Works. He was a JP and had an address at Oak House, Fallowfield, Manchester. On 17th June 1873, he married Elizabeth Beatrice Jane Syme (b. 1/10/1851 – 27/12/1903), elder daughter of James Syme of Edinburgh. They had six children – two boys and four girls.
The eldest child, Evelyn Isobel Elizabeth Drew was born on 6th February 1874 and married on 18th April 1899 to Sidney Vernon Occleston (b. 27/4/1869), a Radley-educated lieutenant in the 11th (Prince Albert's Own) Hussars. He was the youngest son of John James Occleston (b. 1824) of Bowdon, Cheshire. The Occlestons had run a silk warehouse in manchester since at least 1841. I 1860, they joined a 'smallware manufacture' business at Havelock Mill, 77 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester. The new venture was called Greenough, Occlestone & Co., a nod to J.J. Occlestone's business partner Maria Greenough, whose family founded the company in 1817. From 16th April 1868, the business was carried on by J.J. Occlestone and Clifton Stanislaus West, under the old style. (Manchester Commercial List, Estell & Co., 1871, p. 22). During the First World War, Sidney served in the cavalry, as a Captain in the 11th Hussars. (With thanks to David Brown who is researching the Occlestone family)
The second child Nina Campbell Drew was born on 12th June 1876 and married on 20 April 1901 to James Macfie (b. 30/1/1869), eldest son of Dugald Macfie of Manchester. They had a daughter Elizabeth Sylvia (b. 27/7/ 1902) and son Duglad (b. 13/11/1908, d. 6/4/1982).
The third child Florence Percival Drew was born 7/9/1877 and married 9/5/1903 Donald Beith (b. 19/11/1878), fourth son of John Alexander Beith of Manchester. They had five children, three boys and two girls. Their firstborn son Alexander Gilbert Beith (b. 12/2/1904) married (15/6/1932) Hester Wilson Spencer and had two daughters, Sarah Fiona (b. 21/4/1934) and Kathleen Julia (b. 23/5/1937). Florence and Donald’s eldest daughter Evelyn Beatrice Janet was born on 17/7/1906 and married on 19/1/1935 to Roger Birley Melland. The Beith’s other children were Donald Malcolm (b. 22/10/1910, d. 14/2/1952), Norris Dunlop (b. 22/8/1914) and Julia Robson (b. 21/5/1919, d. 10/5/1973).
The fourth child Alexander Sutherland Drew was born on 29th January 1879 and married on 16th October 1905 to Mary Elizabeth Carver (b. 1/6/1875), eldest daughter of Fred William Carver of Knutsford, Cheshire. They lived at Norwood, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, and had a son and two daughters. Their only son, Ian Sutherland Drew, was born on 9/6/1909 and died on 30 November 1983. He was married at Christ Church, Dore, near Sheffield, on Saturday 15th April 1934 to Alison Helen Grant, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Allan J Grant of Dore Moor House. The Rev W.E. Humphreys officiated, assisted by the Rev. A.G. Saxelby-Kemp. The bride who was given away by her father, wore a down of deep cream dull satin trimmed with real lace at the neck. Her train of old Carrickmacross lace edged with satin fell from the shoulders, and the long veil was held in place by a halo wreath of orange-blossom. She carried a bouquet of white heather. Juliet and Stella Sandford, in Kate Greenaway frocks of cream satin with pale green sashes and shoes, carried the train. The eight grown-up bridesmaids – Miss Biddy and Miss Pamela Grant (sisters of the bride), Miss Peggy Drew (sister of the bridegroom) , Miss Eileen Crawford, Miss Hope Todhunter, Miss Ella Pardoe, Miss Rosemary Nicholson, and Miss Cynthia Stephenson – wore dressesof pale green chiffon with Mary Stuart headdresses of old gold lace. The 1st Dore Girl Guides and Brownies formed a guard of honour at the bridge and bridegroom left the church. Mrs Grant afterwards held a reception at Dore Moor House. Among the many drews to attend were Mr and Mrs Alexander drew, Miss Barbara Drew, Colonel and Mrs JS Drew, Mr TS Drew, Miss L.A. drew, Mr and Mrs Edward Drew, Mr Alexander Drew jun, Mr Gordon drew, Miss M Drew, Mrs JL Drew and Miss Pamela Drew. The honeymoon was to be spent ‘motoring on the continent’. (The Times, 1934). Ian and Allison’s daughter Valerie Jean Drew was born on 31/3/1936.
The elder daughter Barbara (Isabella Elizabeth) Drew was born on 29th 10 1906 and married on 7/9/1935 to John Edward Tew (b. 3/9/1905). The younger daughter Peggy (Margaret Carver Syme) was born on 28/6/1912.
The fifth child James Syme was born on 1st September 1883 and married on 19th April 1918 to Victoria Maxwell (b. 27/10/1892, d. 1977), youngest daughter of William Jardine Herries Maxwell of Munches, Kirkcudbrght. They had issue - Thomas Syme (b. 3/3/1919), Dorathea (b. 10/4/1928), Elizabeth Jean (b. 4/11/1927) and Helen Victoria (b. 30/8/1929).
The sixth and youngest child Lorna Auchterlonie was born on 17th June 1893.
FOOTNOTES
[1] The Economic Intelligence Bulletin for North West England, Summer 2005 – Spring 2006.
APPENDIX
Taken from a Review of James Black & Co., Dalmonach Printers, found in the Cockloft at Lisnavagh. I am not yet sure how James Black, Drew & Co. ties in.
These works, ‘for many years the most important in the Vale’, were established in about 1786. From that year until 1835, when James Black & Co. took over the works. ‘one or more Kibbles with varying combinations seem to have been at the head of affairs. In 1814 the first two colours wrought by cylinder at Dalmonach were printed. In 1879 twenty five printing machines were in position, capable of printing 25,000,000 yards of goods yearly. In 1857, the company name changed to the Dalmonach Printing Company. Over the next 14 years, it changed its name twice before reverting to the Dalmonach Printing Company. Mr John Miller and Mr Appleton were town partners and Mr E.J. Jones was managing partner at the works. Mr Jones was born at Rhodes, near Manchester, in 1831. He served his apprenticeship at the printing works of Messrs. Salis, Schwabe & Co. of Rhodes. In 1863, he became sub-manager of the Dalmonach Printing Works, rising to manager-in-chief the following year. In 1866, he was assumed as a partner, the firm then being James Black, Drew & Co. Mr. Jones also found time to make himself an authority on shorthand writing, inventing a system of his own which was published and ‘met with such a hearty reception at the hands of the public that four editions of the work have been run off with great rapidity’. On one wall by the entrance was painted on a small wooden board the legend: ‘James and John Kibble & Co., licensed calico printers’. During the Napoleonic Wars, the government squeezed a tax on every yard of printed calico.
With thanks to Sandra Keirstead Thorne (Hampton, New Brunswick, Canada), Alasdair Drew, david Brown (Occlestone family history) and Alistair Scott .