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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Gordon Muriel Flowerdew

In memory of:

Lieutenant Gordon Muriel Flowerdew

March 31, 1918
Moreuil Wood, France

Military Service


Service Number:

2505

Age:

33

Force:

Army

Unit:

Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)

Citation(s):

An extract from the Second Supplement to the London Gazette, No. 30648, of April 24, 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.

Honours and Awards:

Victoria Cross

Additional Information


Born:

January 2, 1885
Billingford, Norfolk, England

Enlistment:

September 25, 1914
Valcartier, Quebec

Son of Arthur J. B. and Hannah Flowerdew, of Billingford Hall, Scole, Norfolk, England.

Commemorated on Page 408 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Gordon Muriel Flowerdew is a recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Complete list of Canadian Victoria Cross Recipients

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

I. H. 1.

Location:

Namps-au-Val is a village in the Department of the Somme approximately 16 kilometres south-west of Amiens. It has a railway station (Namps-Quevauvillers) on the main line from Amiens to Rouen. The NAMPS-AU-VAL BRITISH CEMETERY is between the village and the station.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Photo of Gordon Flowerdew– From IWM Lives of the First World War https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/lifestory/5870998#images and associated information. Various contributors
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram April 1918. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Honour roll– Memorial plaque in front of the United Kingdom High Commission in Ottawa to commemorate Canadians who have been awarded the Victoria Cross.
  • Attestation Paper (front)
  • Attestation Paper (back)
  • Biographical Information
  • Photographs
  • Photographs– Lieut. G.M. Flowerdew
  • Photo of Lieut. G.M. Flowerdew
  • War Diary– Extract from War Diary; Canadian Cavalry Brigade (27 March - 3 April 1918) (page 1)
  • War Diary– Extract from War Diary; Canadian Cavalry Brigade (27 March - 3 April 1918) (page 2)
  • War Diary– Canadian Cavalry Brigade War Diary
  • War Diary– Canadian Cavalry Brigade War Diary
  • War Diary– Canadian Cavalry Brigade War Diary
  • War Diary– Extract from War Diary; Lord Strathcona's Horse
  • War Diary– Extract from War Diary; Lord Strathcona's Horse
  • War Diary– Extract from War Diary; Lord Strathcona's Horse
  • War Diary– Canadian Cavalry Brigade; Brigade Narrative
  • Award Citation– Personal Information Sheet
  • Service Records (front)– Casualty Form - Active Service
  • Service Records (back)– Casualty Form - Active Service
  • Medical Records
  • Gravemarker– Photo courtesy of Thomas L. Skelding

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