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.]
DRYSDALE, LEARMONT (1866–1909), musical composer, born in Edinburgh on 3 Oct. 1866, was younger son of Andrew Drysdale, and was descended on his mother's side from the Border poet, Thomas the Rhymer. Educated at the High School, Edinburgh, he afterwards studied architecture, but abandoned it in 1888 and entered the Royal Academy of Music, London, where he remained until 1892. He had a brilliant career as a student, winning in 1891 the academy's highest honour in composition, the Charles Lucas medal, with his 'Overture to a Comedy.' During this period he appeared frequently as a solo pianist at the students' concerts, and wrote several works which elicited high praise, notably an orchestral ballade, 'The Spirit of the Glen' (1889), an orchestral prelude, 'Thomas the Rhymer' (1890), and a dramatic scena for soprano and orchestra, 'The Lay of Thora' (1891). In 1891 a picturesque overture, 'Tam o' Shanter,' written within a week, gained the prize of thirty guineas offered by the Glasgow Society of Musicians for the best concert overture. This was produced, with marked success, by (Sir) August Manns, first in Glasgow, and afterwards at the Crystal Palace. In 1894 a dramatic cantata, 'The Kelpie,' was performed in Edinburgh; and in the same year, in London, the fine overture 'Herondean,' exemplifying anew 'his command of flowing melody, skilful and effective workmanship, and highly coloured instrumentation' (Kuhe). A mystic musical play, 'The Plague,' created a strong impression when produced by Mr. Forbes-Roberteon at Edinburgh in 1896. Two years later, a romantic light opera, 'The Red Spider,' libretto by Mr. Baring Gould, was enthusiastically received when first produced at Plymouth, and toured the provinces for twenty weeks. His 'Border Romance,' an orchestral poem, was given at Queen's Hall, London, in 1904. That year he became theoretical master at the Athenæum
