World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Widnes, Lancashire, he served as a Sergeant pilot in the Royal Flying Corps, British Army. On January 7, 1917 near Polegsteert Wood, Belgium, Sergeant Mottershead was on patrol in a FE-2d plane with an observer, when he was engaged in combat by two German Albatros D.III planes. The observer managed to hit one plane and put it out of the action. The second Albatros plane hit Sergeant Mottershead's aircraft, with the petrol tank being pierced and the machine was set on fire. Enveloped in flames which his observer was unable to subdue with a handheld fire extinguisher and Sergeant Mottershead was badly burned. He nevertheless managed to take his aircraft back to the Allied lines and made a successful forced landing. When the plane landed it collapsed on touching the ground, throwing the observer clear but pinned Sergeant Mottershead in burning cockpit. He was removed from the plane but due to the extent and depth of his burns, he died a five days later. For most conspicuous bravery, he was posthumously vested the Victoria Cross presented to his wife by King George V at Hyde Park, London, on June 2, 1917.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Widnes, Lancashire, he served as a Sergeant pilot in the Royal Flying Corps, British Army. On January 7, 1917 near Polegsteert Wood, Belgium, Sergeant Mottershead was on patrol in a FE-2d plane with an observer, when he was engaged in combat by two German Albatros D.III planes. The observer managed to hit one plane and put it out of the action. The second Albatros plane hit Sergeant Mottershead's aircraft, with the petrol tank being pierced and the machine was set on fire. Enveloped in flames which his observer was unable to subdue with a handheld fire extinguisher and Sergeant Mottershead was badly burned. He nevertheless managed to take his aircraft back to the Allied lines and made a successful forced landing. When the plane landed it collapsed on touching the ground, throwing the observer clear but pinned Sergeant Mottershead in burning cockpit. He was removed from the plane but due to the extent and depth of his burns, he died a five days later. For most conspicuous bravery, he was posthumously vested the Victoria Cross presented to his wife by King George V at Hyde Park, London, on June 2, 1917.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Advertisement
See more Mottershead memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
