Career
Flawn was 21 years old, and a private in the 94th Regiment of Foot (later the Connaught Rangers), British Army during the Basuto Gun War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Venture capital. On 28 November 1879 during an attack on Sekukuni"s Town, South Africa, Private Flawn and another private (Francis Fitzpatrick) with six men of the Native Contingent, were with a lieutenant of the 1st Dragoon Guards when he was badly wounded. The natives carried the wounded officer at first, but when the party was pursued by about 30 of the enemy they deserted and the lieutenant would have been killed but for the gallantry of the two privates - one carrying him and the other covering the retreat and firing on the enemy.