Alfred George Drake
Corporal, 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)
- Register No.
- 349 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) (register: Prince Consort's Own (Rifle Brigade)) all Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) VCs →
- Date of action
- 23 November 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 22nd January 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 10th December 1893 at Mile End, Old Town, London
- Died
- 23rd November, 1915 at La Brique, Belgium. (killed in
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- La Brique Military Cemetery, Belgium and on the Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral
Digest of citation
On 23rd November, 1915, near La Brique, Belgium, Corporal Drake was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitring towards the German lines. The patrol was discovered when close to the enemy who opened fire with rifles and machine gun, wounding the officer and one of the men. The latter was carried back by the last remaining man and Corporal Drake stayed with his officer, bandaging his wounds regardless of the enemy's fire. Later, a rescue party found the officer, alive and bandaged, but the corporal was dead
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
DRAKE, Alfred George. (reg No. 349).
Corporal 8th Battalion Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own).
London Gazetted on 22nd January 1916.
Born on 10th December 1893 at Mile End, Old Town, London.
Died on 23rd November, 1915 at La Brique, Belgium. (killed in action).
Memorials at La Brique Military Cemetery, Belgium and on the Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral.
Digest of Citation reads: On 23rd November, 1915, near La Brique, Belgium, Corporal Drake was one of a patrol of four which was reconnoitring towards the German lines. The patrol was discovered when close to the enemy who opened fire with rifles and machine gun, wounding the officer and one of the men. The latter was carried back by the last remaining man and Corporal Drake stayed with his officer, bandaging his wounds regardless of the enemy's fire. Later, a rescue party found the officer, alive and bandaged, but the corporal was dead.
action).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: La Brique Military Cemetery, Belgium and on the Rifle Brigade Memorial, Winchester Cathedral
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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