Lieutenant Gordon Muriel Flowerdew
PERSONAL INFORMATION
MILITARY INFORMATION
- Lance Corporal (Army). 1914-09-24 ?
- Lieutenant (Army). ? to 1918-03-31
Victoria Cross (Moreuil Wood and Rifle Wood)
Description: For most conspicuous bravery and dash when in command of a squadron detailed for special services of a very important nature. On reaching his first objective, Lieutenant Flowerdew saw two lines of enemy, each about sixty strong, with machine guns in the centre and flanks; one line being about two hundred yards behind the other. Realizing the critical nature of the operation and how much depended on it, Lieut. Flowerdew ordered a troop under Lieut. Harvey, VC, to dismount and carry out a special movement, while he led the remaining three troops to the charge. The squadron (less one troop) passed over both lines, killing many of the enemy with the sword; and wheeling about galloping on them again. Although the squadron had then lost about 70 per cent of its members, killed and wounded from rifle and machine gun fire directed on it from the front and both flanks, the enemy broke and retired. The survivors of the squadron then established themselves in a position where they were joined, after much hand-to-hand fighting, by Lieut. Harvey's part. Lieut. Flowerdew was dangerously wounded through both thighs during the operation, but continued to cheer his men. There can be no doubt that this officer's great valour was the prime factor in the capture of the position.
Date of award: 1918-03-31
Notes: Framingham College, Sussex, England
RESEARCH INFORMATION
Son of Arthur J.B. Flowerdew and Hannah Flowerdew of Billingford Hall, Scole, Norfolk.
It appears he died of his wounds the day after he sustained them during his charge during the Battle of Moreuil Wood . This is the action for which he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. It has become known as "The Last Great Cavalry Charge." His subordinate, Lieutenant (later Brigadier General) Frederick Harvey was also awarded the Victoria Cross for his valour during this action.
Gunshot Wound thigh, died at No. 41 Casualty Clearing Station. (Battle of Moreuil Wood, March 30, 1918)
Details of death from Ancestry.com which includes a digitized image of the casualty form from the "Canada, War Graves Registers (Circumstances of Casualty), 1914-1948” database [Lance-Corporal Army Canadian Cavalry Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) B Squadron Lieutenant Army Canadian Cavalry Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) C Squadron Victoria Cross Moreuil Wood and Rifle Wood For most conspicuous bravery and dash when in command of a squadron detailed for special services of a very important nature. On reaching his first objective, Lieutenant Flowerdew saw two lines of enemy, each about sixty strong, with machine guns in the centre and flanks; one line being about two hundred yards behind the other. Realizing the critical nature of the operation and how much depended on it, Lieut. Flowerdew ordered a troop under Lieut. Harvey, VC, to dismount and carry out a special movement, while he led the remaining three troops to the charge. The squadron (less one troop) passed over both lines, killing many of the enemy with the sword; and wheeling about galloping on them again. Although the squadron had then lost about 70 per cent of its members, killed and wounded from rifle and machine gun fire directed on it from the front and both flanks, the enemy broke and retired. The survivors of the squadron then established themselves in a position where they were joined, after much hand-to-hand fighting, by Lieut. Harvey's part. Lieut. Flowerdew was dangerously wounded through both thighs during the operation, but continued to cheer his men. There can be no doubt that this officer's great valour was the prime factor in the capture of the position. ]