30 March 2018
Casualties of Spring 1918: Captain Gordon Flowerdew
Saturday 31 March marks 100 years since Gordon Flowerdew died during the Spring Offensive. For his final actions he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for “most conspicuous bravery and dash when in command of a squadron”.
The Charge of Captain Gordon Flowerdew’s Squadron by Alfred Mummings
Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians)
Died: 31 March 1918
Aged: 32
Commemorated in: CWGC Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery
Gordon Flowerdew was born in Norfolk, England, in 1885. He emigrated to Canada at the age of 18 and worked as a rancher in British Columbia. At the outbreak of the First World War he joined the cavalry regiment, Lord Strathcona’s Horse. He was sent to France with the Canadian Expeditionary forces and spent the war with the Canadian Cavalry Brigade. He was commissioned as an officer in 1916 and given command of a squadron in early 1918.
The Canadian Cavalry Brigade, including Flowerdew’s 75-strong ‘C’ Squadron, had seen little action during their time on the Western Front. However, on 21 March 1918 the German Offensive, codenamed Operation Michael, broke the deadlock.
By 30 March the Germans had advanced more than 40 miles and there was heavy fighting for Moreuil Wood just south of the vital town of Amiens. At a critical moment of the battle Gordon ordered his squadron forward. They charged the German infantry with swords drawn and broke through two German lines before wheeling round and charging back to safety.
The Germans were held at Moreuil Wood, but some 70% of Gordon’s squadron were killed or wounded. Gordon had been badly wounded in both legs and died the next day at a casualty clearing station. For his courage and leadership he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
His citation reads:
“For most conspicuous bravery and dash when in command of a squadron detailed for special services of a very important nature. On reaching his first objective, Lieutenant Flowerdew saw two lines of enemy, each about sixty strong, with machine guns in the centre and flanks; one line being about two hundred yards behind the other. Realizing the critical nature of the operation and how much depended on it, Lieut. Flowerdew ordered a troop under Lieut. Harvey, VC, 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 galloping on them again. Although the squadron had then lost about 70 per cent of its members, 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 Lieut. Harvey's part. Lieut. Flowerdew was dangerously wounded through both thighs during the operation, but continued to cheer his men. There can be no doubt that this officer's great valour was the prime factor in the capture of the position.”
Captain Gordon Flowerdew is buried in CWGC Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery, Plot I, Row H, Grave 1.