Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

RCA (4 Canadian Field Regiment), Attached to the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (RCA (4 Canadian Field Regiment), Attached to the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry)

Awarded on:

May 12th, 1945

Citation:
"On 20 February 1945, Major Drewry was acting as the Artillery Representative of his Commanding Officer with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. The battalion had attacked enemy positions southeast of Cleve as the left forward battalion of 4 Canadian Infantry Brigade, and had captured a forward position essential to the progress of further attacks along the Corps front.
At 1830 hours the enemy counter-attacked with a strong force of tanks and infantry, pressing forward on the battalion's front simultaneously with three sides of the salient. It was subsequently ascertained from prisoners of war that the force consisted of fresh troops from the Panzer Lehr Division and that they had been ordered to drive back the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry at all costs. The position held by our infantry was considered by the enemy to be vital to his defence of the sector.
Major Drewry had been strenuously engaged since the attack commenced the previous day but quickly appreciated the danger of the situation and the importance of immediate artillery support. From his own observation at advance battalion headquarters and from reports from Forward Observation Officers and Company Commanders, he coordinated and directed the fire of the field and medium guns at the most critical points, seeking to disperse the infantry and disorganize the tanks. In spite of this fire the enemy continued to press forward until their tanks were only a few hundred yards from his position.
Although under heavy fire, Major Drewry continued to engage the enemy by direct observation and succeeded in breaking up the infantry and slowing up the tanks sufficiently to enable the anti-tank gunners to destroy them. By this fire the enemy tanks were beaten off with heavy casualties whilst very few casualties were sustained by our own infantry.
Throughout the action this officer showed complete disregard for his own safety, and by his skillful employment of artillery played a major part in the defence of this important position. His courage, coolness and confidence at this most critical time and whilst under heavy enemy fire was an inspiration to the entire battalion, and his actions contributed directly to the further successful advances of 2 Canadian Corps."