Major-General Sir James Syme Drew KBE CB DSO MC DL (1 September 1883 – 27 June 1955) was a decorated British Army officer who saw service during both the world wars.

He served as aide-de-camp to the King, commanded the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division, was colonel to the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, and became director-general of the Home Guard and Territorial Army.

[6] Drew's father Tom, who was a director of the family printing business in Burnley, settled in the suburbs of Manchester, at Oak House, Fallowfield.

[7] Drew entered Harrow School in 1897, joining his elder brother, Alexander Southerland (1879 – 1970), at Mortons; House Master, Charles Colbeck of Lemmington (1847 – 1903).

[8] Whilst at Harrow, Drew engaged with a variety of sporting activities including swimming, football, hurdles, and high-jump.

[11] In January 1901, at the age of 17 years and 4 months, Drew was admitted to Sandhurst Royal Military College as an infantry officer cadet.

[16] Drew was promoted to full lieutenant on 26 April 1905, as the 2nd Battalion relocated to Pretoria, South Africa, serving under Colonel H H L Malcolm.

[21] In 1910 the Battalion relocated to Bangalore, India where it remained until 1914, when it moved to Poona, shortly before returning to England as war broke out across Europe in August 1914.

By 9 am the only officers of the 5th Cameron Highlanders remaining were the commanding officer, Lochiel, and the Adjutant, Drew; together with about 80 NCOs and men, they combined with the 8th Black Watch and formed a mixed force of about 300 odd men who held part of the forward end of the Corons, in a trench and part of the left flank, with the 7th Seaforths on the right.

[43][44] In June, Drew was mentioned in the Despatches[45] of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig and was awarded the rank of Brevet Major.

[52] In March 1918, Drew was given the rank of temporary Lieutenant-Colonel and took up a Special Appointment as Chief Instructor at the Senior Officers' School, Aldershot.

[43][53] On 3 November 1918, Drew was back in France, serving with the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division[43][53] who had recently taken part in the final Battle of Cambrai.

[54] On 5 November, the Royal Naval Division, as part of XXII Corps, First Army began a three-day advance into Belgium, known as the Passage of the Grande Honnelle, a final phase in the Hundred Days Offensive that virtually ended the First World War.

[55] On 14 November 1918, following the Armistice, Drew was appointed to Chief of Staff with the Incomparable 29th Division,[43][53] who were "to march into Germany to occupy the Rhine bridgehead".

[57] On 27 February, with the imminent formation of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR), Drew's Staff appointment with the 29th Division came to an end.

[61] In November 1929, Drew was appointed to Assistant Commandant & Chief Instructor (Class Y) at Netheravon Wing, Small Arms School.

[78][79] For his distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty during the First World War, Drew was mentioned in despatches on a total of six occasions: