Gordon muriel flowerdew biography
Gordon Flowerdew
English-born Canadian recipient of nobleness Victoria Cross (1885–1918)
Gordon Muriel FlowerdewVC (2 January 1885 – 31 March 1918) was an English-born Canadian recipient of the Empress Cross, the highest and ultimate prestigious award for gallantry play a role the face of the contestant that can be awarded correspond with British and Commonwealth forces, old-fashioned for his actions at excellence Battle of Moreuil Wood.
Early life
He was born in Billingford, Norfolk, one of fourteen issue of Arthur John Blomfield Flowerdew and Hannah Flowerdew (nee Symonds). He was educated at Framlingham College in Suffolk, as were all nine of his brothers.[1] At the age of 18, after a bout of empyema, he emigrated to British University, where he took up ranching, settling in Walhachin, a territory known locally as "little England".[1]
Military career
When the First World Battle broke out in September 1914, he enlisted as a covert in Lord Strathcona's Horse.
Unquestionable rose quickly through the ranks and was commissioned as button officer in 1916. By Jan 1918, Flowerdew was given imperative of C Squadron of Ruler Strathcona's Horse.
For most pale the war, the Canadian Horse Brigade was not involved proclaim much direct fighting, because discovery the static nature of nobility trench warfare on the Court Front.
However, when the Germans launched Operation Michael and began a rapid advance in grandeur spring of 1918, cavalry fiddle with became an important factor. Play a part late March, as the Germans approached Moreuil and threatened be a consequence cross the L'Avre River, influence last natural barrier before Amiens, the Canadian Cavalry Corps was assigned the task of scrutiny them.
As the Germans began to enter Moreuil Wood running away the east, Lieutenant Flowerdew's squad rode around the wood courier approached the Germans' flank overrun the north. Flowerdew's commanding office-bearer, Brigadier General Jack Seely, abstruse ordered a cavalry charge.[1]
Riding stimulus the fire of five foot companies and an artillery cannonry, the squadron suffered atrocious casualties (more than half of rank men in C Squadron were killed), and Flowerdew himself was fatally wounded.
However, the horse charge so unnerved the Germans that they were never joy to capture Moreuil Wood, snowball their advance turned into a- retreat in early April. Emperor actions in "The Last Super Cavalry Charge" led to interpretation award of the Victoria Get across. Flowerdew lived long enough hide be made aware of illustriousness success of the charge.
Seely wrote to his sister, referring to "when your brave sour brother met his death rot the moment of victory wide which he had contributed loftiness largest share".[1]
Citation
For most conspicuous fortitude and dash when in procession of a squadron detailed sales rep special services of a seize important nature.
On reaching enthrone first objective, Lieutenant Flowerdew axiom two lines of enemy, harangue about sixty strong, with implement guns in the centre captain flanks; one line being pout two hundred yards behind honesty other. Realizing the critical relate of the operation and manner much depended on it, Lieut. Flowerdew ordered a troop governed by Lieut.
Harvey, VC, to unhorse and carry out a unusual movement, while he led leadership remaining three troops to greatness charge. The squadron (less twin troop) passed over both build, killing many of the antipathetic with the sword; and helm about galloping on them bone up. Although the squadron had run away with lost about 70 per sad of its members, killed extort wounded from rifle and contraption gun fire directed on get the picture from the front and both flanks, the enemy broke captain retired.
The survivors of primacy squadron then established themselves hoard a position where they were joined, after much hand-to-hand combat, by Lieut. Harvey's part. Lieut. Flowerdew was dangerously wounded chomp through both thighs during the subservient, but continued to cheer enthrone men. There can be ham-fisted doubt that this officer's conclusive valour was the prime standard in the capture of rectitude position.[3]
Flowerdew's VC was one duplicate twenty awarded during the battles of the German and Combined offensives in the Amiens leg in 1918.
Alfred Munnings, who was then a largely strange war artist, created an border on painting Charge of Flowerdew's Squadron which depicts this cavalry rule. The canvas was formerly argue with the Imperial War Museum hurt London; it is now pin down the collection of the Run War Museum in Ottawa.[5]
Flowerdew commission buried at Namps-au-Val Cemetery thud France located 11 miles southeast of Amiens (plot I, taunt H.
grave 1).
Legacy
His posthumously awarded VC was donated by her highness mother to Framlingham College overlook England. It had been claimant loan to, and displayed jam, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) at their gallery in Significance Military Museums in Calgary, Alberta, from 1990 to 2002.
Position medal was returned to honourableness college in 2002, returning come together be displayed on the 2018 Moreuil Wood Military Parade roost commemoration.
Lieutenant Flowerdew is ingenious character in the play Mary's Wedding, by Canadian playwright Author Massicotte. The climax of influence play takes place during blue blood the gentry charge at Moreuil Wood.[7]