Thomas Mottershead

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Thomas Mottershead VC, DCM (17 January 1893- 12 January 1917) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was a car mechanic working in Widnes when he joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1914. He was 24 years old, and had been promoted to a sergeant in the 20 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 7 January 1917 near Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium, Sergeant Mottershead was on flying patrol when he was attacked at an altitude of 9,000ft, the petrol tank pierced and the machine set on fire. Enveloped in flames which his observer was unable to subdue, the sergeant nevertheless managed to take his aircraft back to the Allied lines and made a successful landing. The undercarriage collapsed on touching the ground however, throwing the observer clear but pinning Thomas in his cockpit. He was subsequently rescued but died four days later.

[edit] References

• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• VCs of the First World War - Air VCs (P G Cooksley, 1999)