Sergeant H. R. Drinkwater, MM; born NZ 25 Jul 1917; labourer; wounded 18 Apr 1941. (Source: McClymont, W.G. To Greece. p.337.)

'Such was their opinion of a most gallant and successful delaying action, in the early stages of which the dominant units were E and F Troops of 26 Battery 4 NZ Field Regiment. Left with no forward screen after the withdrawal of 2/2 Battalion and with only seven guns between them, they covered the movement of Allen Force to the new line which was hastily being established some four miles to the south. F Troop had moved first, covered by E Troop. On the way one quad had been hit by a shell and two men wounded, including Driver Drinkwater, who drove courageously on, clearing the road for the rest of the column. Soon afterwards another quad was hit, the top blown off and two men wounded. In spite of these casualties the troop went into position just north of Makrikhorion and, with Captain Richardson and Lieutenant Dyson as observers, shelled the infantry and tanks as they moved through Evangelismos and came south astride the highway. Driver H. R. Drinkwater, MM; born NZ 25 Jul 1917; labourer; wounded 18 Apr 1941.; 2nd Divisional Artillery - There now began a field artillery action as skilful and thrilling as any recorded. Stewart had ordered his troops to effect a fighting retreat and they did so. They thought—wrongly it would seem from Australian records—that all of Chilton's men had withdrawn; and Chilton's remaining men, seeing them go, drew the wrong conclusions. The retreat, however, was not before time. Tanks were coming along the road towards them, with enemy infantry fanning out behind. F Troop withdrew about 2000 yards to cover E Troop, going into an anti-tank position for this purpose. Then two guns of E Troop moved 1000 yards past F, while the other two guns stayed to fight tanks at close range. Then these guns withdrew, leapfrogging back behind the others and quickly turning to face the enemy again. F Troop and the other two guns engaged tanks over open sights and gun sections broke off the action individually. They knocked out three tanks and caused many casualties among the enemy infantry; but they did not come through unscathed. Four gunners were wounded and one of them, Gunner Drinkwater of F Troop, though painfully injured, regained control of himself and drove on regardless of it, knowing that if he halted he would block the route for those following; for this he won an MM.' (Source: McClymont, W.G. To Greece. p. 337.; Murphy, W.E. 2nd NZ Divisional Artillery. p. 65.) AWMM