Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Drury-Lowe, Drury Curzon
DRURY-LOWE, Sir DRURY CURZON (1830–1908), lieutenant-general, born at Locko Park, Denby, Derbyshire, on 3 Jan. 1830, was second of the five sons (in a family of eight children) of William Drury- Lowe (1802–1877) of Locko Park, by his wife Caroline Esther (d. 1886), third daughter of Nathaniel Curzon, second Baron Scarsdale. His father, son of Robert Holden of Darley Abbey, Derbyshire, by his wife Mary Anne, only daughter and heiress of William Drury-Lowe (d. 1827), assumed the surname of Drury-Lowe in 1849 on his maternal grand-mother's death. Educated privately and at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, Drury-Lowe graduated B.A. in 1853. Resolving on a military career at a comparatively late age, he obtained a commission in the 17th lancers (the Duke of Cambridge's own, 'Death or Glory Boys') on 28 July 1854, and was promoted lieutenant on 7 Nov. 1854, and captain on 19 Nov. 1856. With the 17th lancers he was associated throughout his active service. He accompanied his regiment to the Crimea (18 June 1855), and took part in the battle of the Tchernaya, and the siege and fall of Sevastopol, receiving the medal with clasp and the Turkish medal. Ordered to Bombay, he took part in the concluding episodes of the war of the Indian Mutiny, including the pursuit of the rebel force under Tantia Topi during 1858 and the action of Zerapore, when Evelyn Wood, who had just exchanged into the 17th lancers, was for the first time in action with him. Both won distinction. Drury-Lowe received the medal with clasp for Central India, having been mentioned in despatches (Lond. Gaz. 17 July 1860). He became major on 10 June 1862, lieut.-colonel on 15 June 1866, and colonel on 15 June 1871. In the Zulu war of 1879-1880 he commanded the 17th lancers and the cavalry of the second division, and was present at the battle of Ulundi, where he was slightly wounded, being awarded the medal and clasp, and being made C.B. on 27 Nov. 1879 (Lond. Gaz. 21 Aug. 1879). He returned to South Africa to engage under Sir Evelyn Wood in the Transvaal campaign of 1881, serving in command of the cavalry brigade; but the operations were early suspended and peace followed.
It was in the Egyptian war of 1882 that Drury-Lowe, who became major-general on 9 Dec. 1881, made his reputation as a commander of cavalry in the field. He was in action throughout the campaign in command of a cavalry brigade, and afterwards of the cavalry division. After taking part in the action at Tel-el-Maskhuta, and the capture of Mahsama (25 Aug. 1882), he made a cavalry charge by moonlight at the first action of Kassasin (28 Aug.), which effectually assured the British forces their victory under Sir Gerald Graham [q. v. Suppl. I]. In the night march preceding the battle of Tel-el-Kebir and during the battle itself, Drury-Lowe's energy proved most useful. From the battle-field he pursued the enemy to Belbeis, and thence pushed on and occupied Cairo, where he received the surrender of Arabi Pasba (Sir Charles M. Watson, Life of Sir Charles Wilson, 1909, p. 208). To Drury-Lowe's rapid movement was due the preservation of Cairo from destruction. Four times mentioned in despatches (Lond. Gaz. 8 Sept., 19 Sept., 6 Oct., and 2 Nov. 1882), he was afterwards thanked by both houses of parliament, received the second class of the -Osmanieh, a medal with clasp, and the bronze star. On 18 Nov. 1882 he was made K.C.B. In 1884 Drury-Lowe was put in command of a cavalry brigade at Aldershot, and from 1885 to 1890 was inspector-general of cavalry there. He made no innovations on the routine of his office and at Aldershot added little to his reputation. Promoted lieutenant-general on 1 April 1890, he was during 1890-1 inspector-general of cavalry at the Horse Guards. On 24 Jan. 1892 he was appointed colonel of the 17th lancers, his old regiment. He received the reward for distinguished service and on 25 May 1895 was nominated G.C.B. On his retirement he resided at Key Dell, Horndean, Hampshire. He died at Bath on 6 April 1908 and was buried at Denby, Derbyshire. He married in 1876 Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Smith, but had no issue. His portrait was painted by Henry Tanworth Wells in 1892.
[The Times, 7 April 1908; Burke's Peerage; Burke's Landed Gentry; Walford's County Families; Hart's and Official Army Lists; F. E. Colenso, History of the Zulu War, 1880, p. 438; R. H. Vetch, Life of Sir Gerald Graham, 1901; Sir Frederick Maurice, The Campaign of 1882 in Egypt, 1908; Celebrities of the Army, by Commander Chas. N. Robinson, R.N.]