George Drury

Role Artillery officer, Fort William Nationality British Status alive Age 31

Description

Thirty-one. Artillery, Fort William. Bluff, loud, drinks. Genuinely kind underneath it: tips extravagantly, remembers servants’ children’s names, and cheats at cards because he finds it funny rather than profitable.

The best man at every party and the worst man at breakfast.

Background

Artillery officer at the garrison. Second marriage for Fanny, who was fishing fleet and married him within three months of landing. They adore each other and it is exhausting to watch.

What Meg Says

George Drury is the best man at every party and the worst man at breakfast. Fanny pours his brandy down the garden when he’s not looking.

Connections

• Fanny Drury — his wife
• Colonel Arthur Blackwood — his commander
• Edward Renwick — introduced him to the party, then was dismissed by rank
• Fort William

In Play

Chapter 4, Session 9 (9 October 1814) — a loud welcome and an open invitation. He shook hands and laughed his way across the churchyard at St John’s, welcoming the new arrivals with enthusiasm and inviting them to dine once they are settled, before being absorbed into another conversation entirely.

Chapter 4, Session 11 (10 October 1814) — drinks with Wyndham, and Blackwood’s name given up. At Hugh’s evening gathering he grew increasingly drunk and talkative, struck up an immediate rapport with Thomas Wyndham over drinks, and shared a great deal of military gossip about Fort William — naming Colonel Blackwood as the man to approach regarding engineering assignments at Baranagar.

Appearances

Campaign Log

• Session 12 - The Governor’s Ball — Spotted the party coming off the dance floor and steered them to a pillar where Major Renwick stood, introducing them; was shooed off by rank once Renwick wanted a private word.