Harry (aka Henry) Drew (Part 2 of story)
| First name | Harry (aka Henry) |
|---|---|
| Last name | Drew (Part 2 of story) |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | 15th March 1863 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1884 |
| Submitted by | Valerie Wotton (nee Drew) |
Story
(Continued from Part 1)
For three months in 1885 Harry (as Henry) joined the NSW Contingent to the Sudan in Africa, the first time the colony had had a military representation as distinct from an imperial one. The Egyptian government, with British acquiescence, had been defeated and General Charles Gordon had been killed in January 1885. Troops were sent to extricate the survivors. Harry was one of 522 volunteers (most born in the British Isles) and he embarked from Circular Quay in Sydney on board SS Iberia as a private in the infantry unit. The contingent was only involved in minor skirmishes and Harry returned on board SS Arab on 23rd June 1885. For his service Harry was awarded the Khedive’s Bronze Star and the Egyptian medal with Suakin clasp. Continuing in the NSW Police Force in Tamworth from November 1885, Harry married on 8th March 1887 at St. Paul’s Church of England in Tamworth to Ann Jane (aka Annie) Stokes who had been born in Casino NSW IN 1864. She was the daughter of Mary Ann Atkinson and Anthony Stokes (see separate entry). Their children were raised as Catholics (Annie’s religion). Although Harry listed his religion officially as Church of England, it was known that he attended a Baptist chapel.Annie and Harry’s first three children were born in Tamworth: Hannah Isabella (born and died 1888); Anthony Henry James (born 1889) and Annie Marjorie (1891); then Frederick Isaac was born1894 at Bingara and the last two Arthur (1899) and Sidney (1904) were born in Sydney where the family settled.
Harry had a very successful career in the police force and was ultimately promoted to Supt.3rd class in July 1920 assisting the Inspector General (then term for Commissioner). By that stage Harry was primarily responsible for all police matters connected with important public demonstrations. A highlight for him was organising security in NSW for the 1920 Royal Visit of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor). The Prince travelled throughout Australia. In Canberra on 21st June 1920 the Prince laid the Commemoration Stone for the national capital of Canberra but the stone has since been moved to the new Parliament House. Harry would be surprised to know that his own name will appear on the Immigration Bridge in Canberra. After retiring from the NSW Police Force in 1923 Harry was granted the Imperial Service Medal for his services to policing.. Harry died on 4th July 1941 and his wife Annie on 11th May 1955. Both are buried at Rookwood Cemetery, Lidcombe in Sydney.
Researched by great-granddaughter, Valerie Wotton (nee Drew) 2007