Gordon Muriel Flowerdew
Lieutenant, Lord Strathcona's Horse. C E F
- Register No.
- 415 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant (register: Temp. Lieutenant Colonel) all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- Lord Strathcona's Horse. C E F (register: Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)) all Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) VCs →
- Date of action
- 31 March 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 24th April, 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 2nd January 1885 at Billinford, Norfolk
- Died
- 31st March 1918 at Bois de Moreuil, France
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Namps-au-Val Cemetery, France and at Billingford Church, Norfolk
Digest of citation
On 30th March 1918 north-east of Bois De Moreuil, France, Lieutenant Flowerdew commanding a squadron detail for special services, reached the first objective and saw two lines of the enemy, each about 60 strong, armed with machine-guns. He ordered one Troop to dismount and engage the enemy while he led the remaining three troops to the charge, passing over the lines, killing many of the enemy then wheeling about and galloping at them again. Although the squadron had about 70 per cent casualties, including Lieutenant Flowerdew who was dangerously wounded, the enemy broke and fled, and the position was captured
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
FLOWERDEW, Gordon Muriel. (reg No. 415).
Lieutenant Lord Strathcona's Horse. C E F.
London Gazetted on 24th April, 1918.
Born on 2nd January 1885 at Billinford, Norfolk.
Died on 31st March 1918 at Bois de Moreuil, France.
Memorial at Namps-au-Val Cemetery, France and at Billingford Church, Norfolk.
Digest of Citation reads: On 30th March 1918 north-east of Bois De Moreuil, France, Lieutenant Flowerdew commanding a squadron detail for special services, reached the first objective and saw two lines of the enemy, each about 60 strong, armed with machine-guns. He ordered one Troop to dismount and engage the enemy while he led the remaining three troops to the charge, passing over the lines, killing many of the enemy then wheeling about and galloping at them again. Although the squadron had about 70 per cent casualties, including Lieutenant Flowerdew who was dangerously wounded, the enemy broke and fled, and the position was captured.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Namps-au-Val Cemetery, France and at Billingford Church, Norfolk
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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