Pupils' VCs presented to war museum

TWO Victoria Crosses belonging to former pupils of Framlingham College have been formally presented to the Imperial War Museum in London at a moving ceremony.

Gwen Randall, head of Framlingham College, handed the medals to Admiral Sir Jock Slater, chairman of trustees of the museum .

The medals were awarded to Lieutenant Gordon Flowerdew of the Royal Canadian Cavalry and Lance Corporal William Hewitt of the South African Infantry, for acts of bravery during World War I.

The ceremony was attended by members of Lieutenant Flowerdew's family, chairman of governors Andrew Fane, and governors, staff and current pupils at the college.

The medals are now displayed on loan alongside the Victoria Cross awarded to another old Framlinghamian, Lieutenant Augustus Agar.

The medals were guarded by four members of the school's combined cadet force.

Mrs Randall said: "It's remarkable that from a school of about 260 pupils at the turn of the century, three old boys should have been awarded the Victoria Cross.

"We are delighted that they will now rest together as a permanent inspiration and example to all those who visit the museum."

Mr Fane said: "Many young men and now women too have now left Framlingham College to play their part in society, often achieving great things in their own field. None have done so with more distinction than these three former old boys who remain an inspiration to us still each day."

Lieutenant Flowerdew was awarded his VC posthumously for his conspicuous bravery at the Battle of Moreuil Wood, near Amiens in 1918. His action was commemorated in a painting by another celebrated former pupil, Sir Alfred Munnings.

Lance Corporal Hewitt was awarded his after he attacked in German pillbox in 1917. Despite a wound to his face and his hand sustained during it, he managed to storm the pillbox and overcome its occupants with the help of his comrades.

Lieutenant Agar gained his VC after he steered his motor torpedo boat into the Bolshevik fleet in Petrograd in July 1919, and launched a torpedo which sank the Oleg. The medal was also awarded for secret missions in which he dropped agents behind enemy lines.