REMEMBERING THE BATTLE OF MOREUIL WOOD, MARCH 28, 2025

Stéphane Ouellette • March 28, 2025

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REMEMBERING THE BATTLE OF MOREUIL WOOD

MARCH 28, 2025

"Today, March 28th, 2025, we commemorate the 107th anniversary of the Battle of Moreuil Wood. In the quiet of Moreuil Wood, courage thundered louder than war. On this day, we honour the valour of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade—soldiers who stood firm for freedom and risked their lives not for conquest, but to liberate a land not their own. France pays tribute to these brave Canadians who fought without hesitation to protect her soil.

"On this special day, I also extend our heartfelt thanks to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for their meaningful participation and for bringing their horses as a powerful and symbolic tribute to the heroism of the cavalry. Their presence reminds us of the enduring bond between service, sacrifice, and tradition. Lest we forget."

– Stéphane Ouellette, Founder/President, Colonel John Gardam Lifetime Achievement Award Institute

"Today March 28th, 2024, we commemorate the 106th anniversary of The Battle of Moreuil Wood. France pays tribute to the Canadian soldiers who fought without hesitation and risked their lives to protect and liberate our country. Lest we forget."

– Colonel Heluin Bruno, Defence Attaché, French Embassy in Canada (March 28, 2024)

OTTAWA, TODAY – Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, Founder and President, Colonel John Gardam Lifetime Achievement Award Institute, was joined by members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ottawa Police Service (OPS), veterans' organizations, diplomatic corps, and the general public in commemorating the 107th anniversary of the Battle of Moreuil Wood.

On October 9, 1918, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) fought their last battle of the First World War. Having been in reserve since August 1918, the Strathcona’s, and the other two cavalry Regiments of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade were rushed to the front to exploit a penetration made in German defences. In just one day, the Brigade advanced ten kilometers (on a five kilometer front), captured four hundred prisoners and numerous weapons, and cleared the villages of Clary, Bois de Gattigny, and Bois du Mont–Auxvilles. Among members of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade and the Strathcona’s, this “final battle” probably brought recollection of a similar, yet more intense fight the previous spring: The Battle of Moreuil Wood on March 30, 1918.

The Battle of Moreuil Wood was part of the wider Allied effort to stem the German Offensive (Operation Michael) in the spring of 1918 in the area of Amiens, France.

Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), as part of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, encountered and defeated a large German force of four times their number at Moreuil Wood on March 30, 1918. Losses to men and horses were extremely high with 53 of 75 Strathcona’s of the charging Squadron, killed or wounded; but the mission was accomplished. The Squadron Commander, Lieutenant Gordon Flowerdew, was awarded (posthumously) the Victoria Cross for his leadership on that day.

The Battle of Moreuil Wood was to be the last great cavalry charge in Canadian Army history, and among the last of such actions in British and Commonwealth warfare. Lt.–Col. D.J. Macdonald (from Williamstown, Ontario) and Pte. Albert Dale (from Alexandria, Ontario, and a native of Essex England) both fought valiantly in this epic battle for freedom.