Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Great War campaign pair awarded to Lieutenant G. M. Flowerdew, V.C., Lord Strathcona’s Horse, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his great gallantry during the ‘Charge of Flowerdew’s Squadron’ at Moreuil Wood on 30 March 1918, during the ‘Last Great Cavalry Charge’. Mortally wounded during the attack, he died the next day, but not before he had learned of the success of the charge

1914-15 Star (2505 L. Sgt. G. M. Flowerdew. Ld: S’cona’s H.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. G. M. Flowerdew.) good very fine (2) £6,000-£8,000

V.C. London Gazette 24 April 1918:
‘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, Lieutenant 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, Lieutenant Flowerdew ordered a troop under Lieutenant 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 Lieutenant Harvey's party. Lieutenant 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.’

Gordon Muriel Flowerdew was born at Billingford Hall, Billingford, Norfolk, on 2 January 1885 and was educated at Framlingham College, Suffolk. Emigrating to Canada in 1903, he worked as a rancher in British Columbia, and in 1911 enlisted in the 31st Regiment, British Columbia Horse.

Following the outbreak of the Great War, Flowerdew enlisted for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Valcartier on 24 September 1914, and was embodied with Lord Strathcona’s Horse on 4 May 1915. Promoted Lance Sergeant, he served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from May 1915, and was commissioned temporary Lieutenant on 26 March 1916. He was slightly wounded on 19 May 1917.

By 30 March 1918, during the German Spring Offensive, the enemy advance was beginning to threaten Amiens. The British and French lines met at Moreuil Wood, on the River Avre; the wood was on a ridge that provided a vantage point along the river valley north-west to Amiens. Together with Moreuil itself, it had been evacuated by the French on 29 March, and by the morning of 30 March the Germans were beginning to infiltrate the position. The decision was taken to recapture the position at all costs, with the 2nd Cavalry Division being ordered to mount an attack. It was during this attack that Lieutenant Flowerdew, Lord Strathcona’s Horse, led the heroic charge against two lines of German machine-guns. Described as ‘the last great cavalry charge’, the squadron suffered appalling casualties (over half the men in ‘C’ Squadron were killed), and Flowerdew himself was mortally wounded during the attack. He died the next day following the amputation of his leg, shortly after learning of the success of the charge; indeed, despite the losses the cavalry charge had so unnerved the enemy that they were never able to capture Moreuil Wood, and their advance soon after turned into a retreat. He is buried at Namps-au-Val British Cemetery, Somme, France; he is also commemorated on the memorial at St. Leonard’s Church, Billingford. The wooden cross that marked his original grave is at Framlingham College, and he is depicted in the painting ‘The Charge of Flowerdew’s Squadron’ by Sir Alfred Munnings (himself a fellow Old Framlinghamian).

Flowerdew’s Victoria Cross was presented to his mother by H.M. King George V at a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 29 June 1918, and was subsequently donated to Framlingham College. It is currently on display at the Imperial War Museum, London.

Sold with the Minister of Militia and Defence enclosure for the 1914-15 Star; and riband bar.