Thomas Mottershead
| Thomas Mottershead | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 17 January 1892 Widnes, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 12 January 1917 (aged 24) Bailleul, France |
| Buried at | Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch | Royal Flying Corps |
| Years of service | 1914 - 1917 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | No. 20 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Distinguished Conduct Medal |
Thomas Mottershead VC, DCM (17 January 1892 – 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.
Thomas Mottershead was born in Widnes, Lancashire on 17 January 1892. He was the son of Thomas and Lucy Mottershead. He studied engineering at Widnes Technical School and was apprenticed as a fitter and turner after leaving school. In February 1914, he married Lilian Medlicott Bree and the couple had a son, Sydney, the following year. Mottershead was living at 31 Lilac Avenue in Widnes and working as a garage mechanic when World War I began. He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps on 10 August 1914 as a mechanic, Mottershead had studied engineering and had been apprenticed as a fitter working in Widnes. He was posted to the Central Flying school at Upavon and was promoted to Sergeant on 1 April 1916.
In May 1916 he began pilot training and in June of that year he obtained his Flying Certificate. He was posted to No.25 Squadron at St Omer, flying the FE 2, on 6 July 1916 and saw action in the Battle of the Somme.
One of his first operations was low-level bombing raid on a German anti-aircraft battery which he successfully destroyed. On 22 September, with 2/Lt C. Street as observer he bombed the railway station at Samain, destroying one ammunition train and strafing another. While climbing away from the target, their aircraft was attacked by a Fokker scout. Accounts of the engagement indicate that it was Mottershead's skillful manoeuvring which enabled Street to shoot the enemy aircraft down. For this action and other displays of gallantry, Sgt Mottershead was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and promoted to the rank of Flight Sgt.
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