Lieutenant Gordon Flowerdew VC



On 30th March 1918, northeast of Moreuil Wood in France, Lt Flowerdew was commanding a squadron detailed for special service. He reached his first objective and saw two lines of the enemy, each of 60 men armed with machine-guns. He ordered one troop to dismount and give covering fire while he led a charge of the other 3 troops. They passed through the Germans, killing several, then turned and charged again. They suffered 70 percent casualties including Flowerdew himself who died the next day from his wounds. But the position was captured and the reputation of Strathcona's Horse was further enhanced by the extreme bravery of the entire squadron.

Gordon Muriel Flowerdew was born on 2nd Jan 1885 in Billingford Norfolk. The name Flowerdew was hard enough to cope with in military society but the middle name given to him by his family must surely have been a spur to his heroism. Strangely the name Muriel is so similar to the name of the place of his death. He died on the 31st March 1918 in Bois de Moreuil and was buried in Billingford Churchyard.


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by Stephen Luscombe