British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. awarded to Corporal G. Drake, Manchester Regiment

Military Medal, G.V.R. (1726 Cpl. G. Drake, 12/Manch. R.), poorly riveted and slack straight-bar replacement suspension, nearly very fine £80-100

M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918.

George Drake, a native of Watford, first entered the French theatre of war as a Private in the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment, in late August 1914, and consequently would have quickly seen action near Festubert, where the Battalion sustained its first casualties. Later still, that December, his unit was heavily engaged in the fighting at Givenchy, suffering losses of 66 killed and 126 wounded. Sometime thereafter transferring to the 12th Battalion, Drake was most probably decorated for gallant deeds during the German “Spring Offensive”. He was finally discharged in the rank of Sergeant.