Current Information:

Age-22

Victoria Cross

62 Copley Street, Stepney

La Brique Military Cemetery2, Belgium

During November, 1915, 41 Brigade, 14th Division were holding the line at La Brique in the northern part of the Ypres salient. On the night of 23rd November a four man patrol from 8th Rifle Brigade were sent out to reconnoitre the enemy line but failed to return. At first search parties failed to find them but eventually they were discovered, pinned down near the German wire where they had come under heavy fire which had wounded the officer in command and one other man. Corporal  Drake had detailed the one remaining rifleman to carry back the wounded one whilst he stayed with Lieutenant Tryon who was too badly wounded to be moved. He succeeded in bandaging Lieutenant Tryon's wounds despite being under fire and hit many times himself. The rescue party found Lieutenant Tryon unconscious but alive and Corporal Drake riddled with bullets and dead. For this act of bravery Corporal Drake was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.