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Cpt. Gordon Muriel Flowerdew VC
Canadian Expeditionary Forces Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
from:British Columbia, Canada
(d.31st March 1918)
Gordon Flowerdew died of wounds on 31st March 1918 aged 32 and is buried in the Namps-au-Val British Cemetery in France. He was the son of Arthur J. B. and Hannah Flowerdew, of Billingford Hall, Scole, Norfolk.
An extract from the Second Supplement to the London Gazette, No. 30648, of 24th April, 1918, records the following: "For most conspicuous bravery and dash when in command of a squadron detailed for special service of a very important nature. On reaching the first objective, Lt. Flowerdew saw two lines of the enemy, each about sixty strong, with machine guns in the centre and flanks, one line being about two hundred yards behind the other. Realising the critical nature of the operation and how much depended upon it, Lt. Flowerdew ordered a troop under Lt. Harvey, V.C. 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 galloped at them again. Although the squadron had then lost about 70 per cent of its numbers, 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 Lt. Harvey's party. Lt. Flowerdew was dangerously wounded through both thighs during the operation, but continued to cheer on his men. There can be no doubt that this officer's great valour was the prime factor in the capture of the position."
