108 years ago today Lt Gordon Flowerdew led C Squadron of LSH(RC) into withering German rifle, machine gun, and artillery fire. Many of his men were killed or wounded, and Flowerdew himself died of his wounds shortly thereafter. He was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.
Leading the 1st Troop right behind Flowerdew was Acting Troop Leader Sergeant Tom Mackay, my father. He survived the charge, and continued fighting after his horse was down and his lower legs were riddled with bullets.
The charge was immortalized by Sir Alfred Munnings, a British artist hired to paint the Canadian Cavalry in action. I’m doubtful that the actual charge looked much like “Charge of Flowerdew’s Squadron,” which hangs in Ottawa.
But I can’t let March 30th go by without posting about this terrible event.
The world watches in the early days of an expanding war, while Canada commits to reinvigorated armed forces. Let’s continue to talk about our history, and think hard about the tasks ahead.
If you’d like a copy of my historical novel Soldier of the Horse about Tom Mackay’s war and Flowerdew’s charge, please drop me a note at bob.mackay@hotmail.com, or order it from your favourite bookstore.
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