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In memory of:

Lieutenant Gordon Muriel Flowerdew

Photo de Gordon Flowerdew

Citation(s);

Victoria Cross (VC) United Kingdom

Military service

Service number: 2505
Age: 33
Rank: Lieutenant
Force: Army
Unit/Regiment: Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
Birth: January 2, 1885 Billingford, Norfolk, England
Enlistment: September 25, 1914 Valcartier, Québec
Death: March 31, 1918 Moreuil Wood, France

Burial/memorial information

NAMPS-AU-VAL BRITISH CEMETERY
Grave reference: I. H. 1.
Additional information

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

Additional citations

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.

Related media

First World War (1914 – 1918)

In the Books of Remembrance

Commemorated on:

Page 408 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.
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NAMPS-AU-VAL BRITISH CEMETERY Somme, France

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.

For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

 

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