Date of birth:

March 4th, 1916

Date of death:

July 31st, 1993

Service number:

145497

Nationality:

British

Dick Flower joined The London Rifle Brigade (TA) in 1938 and was later commissioned in The Rifle Brigade. He served with the Battalion during the campaigns in the Western Desert and Italy from 1940-44.
In 1945 he posted at Head Quarters Eighth Army.
Flower remained in the Army after the war serving both at regimental duty and on the staff, including at General Headquarters East Africa from 1955-56 during the Mau Mau Emergency in Kenya. In his last appointment (1959-61), in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, he became the first Commanding Officer of the newly formed Green Jackets Brigade depot and was to weld together training teams from the three regiments that made up the Green Jackets Brigade by initiating 'See the Army' week-ends and inviting young men to the depot.
On retirement from the Army he became a director of the Bass-Charrington brewery group.
Dick Flower died on 31st July 1993, aged 77.

Post-war decorations:
Africa General Service Medal 1899-1956 with clasp ‘Kenya’, Territorial Efficiency Medal.
OBE in 1962 for Deputy Commander of the Green Jackets Depot at Winchester from 1959-61.

Promotions:
August 24th, 1940: 2nd Lieutenant (Rifle Brigade)
? Temporary Captain
December 21st, 1946: Lieutenant (seniority March 3th, 1941)
December 21st, 1946: Captain (seniority July 1st, 1946)
March 4th, 1952: Major
February 12th, 1959: Lieutenant-Colonel
July 15th, 1961: retirement

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)

Awarded on:

June 17th, 1943

Citation:
"On the night of 26th/27th October, 1942, Capt R.A. Flower was in command of a carrier platoon at the Snipe position.
At 0100 hrs on the 27th his platoon was ordered forward through a gap in an enemy minefield to carry out a reconnaissance. The platoon went forward 2,000 yards, overran a strong infantry position, and took some prisoners.
Capt. Flower then attacked a tank leaguer of forty enemy tanks from 200 yards’ range, setting fire to three vehicles and causing the leaguer to disperse. He was then heavily engaged at close range by the tanks, one carrier being knocked out. He withdrew his platoon slowly in front of the advancing tanks.
At 0900 hrs Capt Flower’s platoon was ordered to patrol the south flank of Snipe threatened by an infantry attack. He attacked and dispersed the enemy infantry forming up to attack and inflicted many casualties.
Two enemy guns coming into action were also destroyed; the platoon continued to engage the enemy on the flank until all ammunition was expended and four carriers had been knocked out.
Throughout these actions Capt Flower’s personal coolness and courage were of the highest order and his fine offensive handling of his platoon played a large part in enabling his Battalion to hold its position."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Captain

Unit:

Rifle Brigade

Awarded on:

June 24th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With "8th ARMY" clasp

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Angela Ashworth
• - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 34934 published on the 27 August 1940
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36057 published on the 15 June 1943
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36065 published on the 22 June 1943
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37823 published on the 17 December 1946
  - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37862 published on the 21 January 1947
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 39481 published on the 29 February 1952
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 41690 published on the 21 April 1959
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 42552 published on the 29 December 1961
  - The Royal Green Jackets (Rifle) Museum