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Mr Midshipman VC (Hardback)

The Short Accident-Prone Life of George Drewry, Gallipoli Hero

Maritime > Naval > Royal Navy WWI > Battles & Campaigns > Gallipoli

By Quentin Falk
Imprint: Pen & Sword Maritime
Pages: 161
Illustrations: 32
ISBN: 9781526726247
Published: 2nd October 2018

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Of the thirty-nine Gallipoli Victoria Crosses arguably none was more deserved than the medal earned by George Leslie Drewry.

At just 20, he was the first officer of the Royal Naval Reserve to get the nation’s premier award for valour when part of the landing on V Beach at Cape Helles. In so doing he was badly wounded.

Accident-prone, he survived falling into a bog as a child; he was knocked over by a car; as a novice merchantman he fell from the mast of his ship and on another occasion was shipwrecked after rounding Cape Horn and stranded on a deserted island.

Tragically he died at Scapa Flow shortly before the end of The Great War, while in command of his first ship.

Using contemporary sources, the author brings Drewry’s life into sharp focus and describes the role of ‘Snotty’ as midshipmen were then known. The result will appeal to addicts of real-life adventure and military historians

Perhaps inevitable when writing about one so young, his life had only just begun and in order to fill the space, the book dwells much on the Gallipoli campaign and the involvement of the Royal Navy but this does not detract from what is an interesting read.

Medal News, March 2019 – reviewed by Allan Stanistreet

A stirring tale of true valour, and well worth telling.

Mariners Mirror

It is a very engaging book and the young officer's personality and the love of his family shine through thanks to lively prose.

Warships IFR, February 2019

Using contemporary sources, the author brings Drewry's life into sharp focus and describes the role of 'Snotty' as midshipmen were known. The result will appeal to addicts of real life adventure and military historians.

A recommended book, a story that needs to be read.

Steve Chambers, The Gallipolian

How fortunate we are to now have Drewry's all too short life brought together with a splendid range of illustrations.

David Saunders, The Gallipolian

Engaging account. 9/10

The Great War magazine, January 2019

As featured in

Third Age Matters

Click here to listen to interview

NOTE: set cursor to 10:33

Marlow FM on The Electric Light Show

Quentin Falk has brought him back to life in this illuminating biography that not only tells of his life but also captures something of the period in which George lived. I commend this book to you most heartily.

Read the full review here here

Blitzwalkers, Steve Hunnisett

Article: 'WW1 novel tells story of naval hero' as featured by

Maidenhead Advertiser, October 11th 2018

Article: 'Once – in a blue moon' part of their 'Odd Man's Week' feature with Peter Chapman

Grimsby Telegraph, 13th September 2018

Article: 'Little Marlow author Quentin Falk's 10th and latest book is timed perfectly to coincide with the final months of the Great War centenary'

Round & About magazine (Marlow/Bourne End/Cookham), September 2018

Article: 'New book tells the story of a Grimsby VC'

Bygones – a Grimsby Telegraph special publication, 21st August 2018

As featured by

Target, August/September 2018

About Quentin Falk

Quentin Falk has been a show-business journalist for numerous national papers for over 40 years.

He has written nine books, including biographies of Anthony Hopkins, Albert Finney and Alfred Hitchcock.

He lives in Buckinghamshire.

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