March 30th, 2019, fast approaches. Time for a glance back at the centennial celebrations of a year ago. Here is a shot of the Lord Strathcona’s Mounted Troop forming up, preparing to re-enact Flowerdew’s Charge of a hundred years before. The scene is where Brigadier Seely led the Canadian Cavalry Brigade and from whence he detached Flowerdew’s Squadron of Lord Strathcona’s Horse to sweep around the end of the Wood. The regiment celebrates March 30th every year to mark the occasion with sports days, lunches, and dinners wherever Strathcona’s gather.
Among other notables at the 100th were Brough Scott (Seely’s grandson) at left with me and John Willoughby. John’s great uncle of the same name died at the scene, with his remains only discovered in 1986. Brough lives in the UK and, like his grandfather before him, continues to ride virtually daily, having made his living as a jockey and racing commentator.
In the two photos below are another Seely grandson, Patrick Seely, who is holding up a copy of a painting depicting the battle that raged in the Wood itself.
The last photo shows George and Andrew Flowerdew, flanking me at a reception staged by the village of Moreuil in honour of the occasion. I consider it a real privilege to have been able to meet the families of men who shared the terrible events of March 30th, 1918, with my father.