The following obituary for Byron Drury appeared in the Times newspaper.
Obituary in the Times newspaper | |
Date | Obituary |
9 November 1888 | Admiral Byron Drury, whose death, at the age of 73, occurred on the 6th inst. at Cheltenham, entered the Navy as cadet in 1830. He took an active part in the siege of Paria in I835, where he was for several days in action with the enemy's batteries, distinguishing himself by landing at night and conducting over 200 Brazilians to the beach for embarcation from the midst of the insurgents. The deceased officer also served in the ship Alligator, and while in her assisted in surveying the harbour of Port Essington, in South Australia. He was also present with her, as her senior lieutenant, at the first capture of Chusan, in 1841, and for his services was promoted to the rank of commander, and received the China medal. Admiral Drury was next appointed to the ship Calliope, and while serving in her rendered valuable services in surveying and sounding the channels in the river Yang-tse-Kiang preparatory to the ascent of the fleet to Nankin. He was captain of the Pandora, which was employed for four years and a half in the New Zealand Survey during that period, being thanked by the Governor, Sir George Grey, and was recommended to the Admiralty by Sir George. His able conduct likewise called forth the acknowledgments of successive Governments, which were communicated to the authorities at home, and on leaving the colony the deceased admiral received a testimonial and a service of plate from the Chamber of Commerce and a portion of the inhabitants of Auckland. Admiral Drury was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. His commissions bore date- sub-lieutenant, 1839; lieutenant, 1841; commander, 1845; captain, 1857; [retired] captain, 1866; [retired] rear-admiral, 1875; and [retired] vice-admiral, 1879. He retired from the service about 20 years ago. |