[1] Drude entered the French Military in 1872[2] and in 1892 commanded a company of the Foreign Legion in Dahomey.

Between 1900 and 1901, he participated in the Boxer Rebellion in China, capturing[3] Kao Peng on 7 November 1900, while heading three infantry companies and a field artillery section.

[2] In 1907, he was appointed Brigadier General and commanding troops from Algeria, landed in Morocco on 7 August after the Bombardment of Casablanca.

Drude was elevated to Major General in 1911 and in 1914 he became commander of the Division of Oran.

[3] Drude was knighted on 9 July, 1892[2] and became a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor in 1914.