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Name: DRURY, John Michael
Birth Date: Dec 1869 Bushey, Herts, bapt. 8.1.1870
Death Date: 9.12.1949 Nairobi
First Date: 1906 December
Last Date: 1949
Profession: Joined BSA Police in S Rhodesia in 1896 and fought in Mashona War. Then went to SA and fought throughout Boer War, thereafter starting an ostrich farm near Craddock in the Cape with his partner Frank Hobson of 1820 settlers. Farmer. Limuru
Area: HBEA 1912 - Nairobi, 1925 Molo, 1930 Box 106, Nairobi Hut 1922 Elmenteita, 1909 Molo trained horses, 1922 Nakuru
Married: In Kenya 1927 Lois Margaret McDonell b. 1901 Billericay, arrived EA 1908 and had over 50 years' unbroken residence (dau of Ronald William McDonell)
Children: Michael Ronald (2 Jan 1928 Limuru); Patrick John (22 Nov 1929 Limuru-2018 Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, S Africa); Donald Frank (1935); Elizabeth Margaret (Sparkes) (1943)
Book Reference: North, Gillett, HBEA, Gethin, Markham, KAD, Red 25, Red 31, Hut, Curtis, Playne, Pioneers, Wed, Red 22, Land, Stud, Gazette, Racing, Bur, Medals, SKP, Barnes, R. Jolley, Leader14, Rift Valley, Red Book 1912
War Service: Boer War and after with S. Rhodesian Police. Was a Lone Scout in WW1 in Tanganyika
School: Leamington Grammar School and Military Academy, Hanover
General Information:
In 1904 Frank Hobson went to BEA to 'have a look' and then wrote to John to tell him to 'sell the farm and come to 'God's own country'. Founder member of Muthaiga Club. Very well known as a great horseman and racehorse trainer. Lois Margaret was the second daughter of R.W. McDonell who came to EA in 1908.
Gethin - 'A Company was formed including all the property allocated to Cobb, which was known as Powysland Ltd., with Cobb as Director, John Drury as adviser, and Hill-Williams as Manager. Some months later Cobb acquired from Frank Hobson a further 3000 acres at Loydien, on Lake Naivasha. This land was purchased as a sheep farm. .......... John Drury's farm was about 8 miles from Keringet, Powys Cobb's farm .... John Drury had been in Molo for some time. Came from South Africa about 1903, and was given a free grant of a farm of some 3000 acres by the Govt. He had little capital, so when Cobb came along looking for land, Drury sold to him, but the deal ended up in bad feeling and with Drury two years later beating up Cobb at Naivasha, the day prior to the visit of H.E. the Governor. Cobb had two black eyes which the Governor noticed and tenderly enquired what he had run into, already being aware of the full facts of the case.'
Markham - He was a partner of Gerry Alexander's in the Westerland Stables - a top class training establishment. He was a product of Hanover Military Academy.
Curtis - p. 46 - '...... John Drury, who was Lord Delamere's trainer at one time, was once invited by Dr. Burkitt to go for an afternoon ride. Drury agreed, welcoming some gentle exercise, and went off in his normal working trousers without troubling to change. A hyena got up in front of them quite soon. Burkitt pulled out a revolver and started firing busily. The hyena raced off with the two men in full cry after it. The long gallop left Drury extremely sore for some days.
Curtis - p. 86 - 'To Naivasha Across the Mau' by Richard Gethin - ' ........ A company was formed including all the property allocated to Cobb which was known as Powysland Ltd. with Cobb as Director, John Drury as adviser, and Hill-Williams as Manager. Some months later Cobb acquired from Frank Hobson a further 3000 acres at Loydien, on Lake Naivasha.
Playne - Keringet Farm - Keringet Farm, Powysland Estate, is 12 miles from Molo Station, and Messrs E.P. Cobb, J.H. Williams, and J.M. Drury have each an interest in it. They started farming 5,000 acres in January 1908 ........ Mr J.H. Williams who is now building his own house, has his wife and children with him, and all find the climate excellent. .......... Mr Drury came here in 1904 and took up this farm and went home, coming out later with Mr Cobb, who took up a farm of 35,000 acres. Mr Drury has the management of Keringet. On the coast there is a farm of 2,000 acres at Kilipi [sic], some 6 hours sail north of Mombasa, where there is a good harbour. ..........….…
Land - 1906 - J.M. Drury - Grazing, 4974 acres, Mau Escarpment, 26-7-05, Registered 25-9-06
EA Stud Book 1954 - Brood Mares - Thoroughbred - Breeders - Mrs J. Drury (1937)
Gazette - 7/4/15 - Liable for Jury service, Kiambu - J.M. Drury, Kiambu
Racing - Owner of 'Fairly Early' by 'Simon Early' - 'Rosamund' - 1929 - Mrs J.M. Drury
Racing - Owner of 'Little Surprise' by 'Cerval' - 'Canobia' - 1930
Racing - Owner of 'Scotteen' - Winner of the Kenya St. Leger in 1925
Nairobi City Park Burial Register - John Michael Drury, age 81, died 9/12/49
Medals - East African Political Department - Intelligence Dept., Agent
SKP - 1938 - Society of Kenya Pioneers - over 30 years in Colony - arrived Dec 1906
Limuru cemetery - John Michael Drury, died 9 Dec 1949, aged 81 (unmarked grave)
Rift Valley - Member of the Rift Valley Sports Club - Jan 1929 - Elected - 1909 - J.M. Drury
Red Book 1912 - J.M. Drury - Naivasha
Gazette - 29/10/1919 - Register of Voters - Kikuyu - John Michael Drury, Settler, Juja Farm, Ruiru
Gazette 6 Dec 1938 Kiambu Voters List
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