For Valour: Serjeant Thomas Mottershead (1396) VC, Royal Flying Corps

7 January 2025 By Norman Brice: Volunteer in Aviation Historian

Serjeant Thomas Mottershead (1396) VC, Royal Flying Corps
17 January 1892 – 12 January 1917

On the ground, fighting on the Western Front had been static since late 1914, with set piece battles by each side achieving gains measured in yards against casualties counted in the tens of thousands. In 1914, air power was virtually non-existent – aircraft barely able to support the weight of their pilots.

First use of aircraft was for reconnaissance – ‘what is over the next hill?’ – by the pilot taking paper notes then artillery spotting, dropping target corrections to the artillery. Aircraft then began to evolve. Reconnaissance aircraft were fitted with cameras. But you don’t want to let the enemy see what you are doing. So scout aircraft (now called fighters) are used to prevent them from taking photography. Then ground attack, with the development of role-specific design: scouts, reconnaissance and ground-support, then finally bombers. By 1917, air power was a tangible part of the fighting forces on both sides.

Thomas Mottershead as Air Mechanic 2nd Class: photo by G L Wheaton Photographic Studio, 1914.
As was then very common, this appears to have been taken for a family portrait upon his enlistment.
(RAF Museum X001-2663/001)

Serjeant Mottershead was a member of 20th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, based at Clairmarais, to the east of St-Omer in northern France. On Sunday, 7 January 1917, he and his observer, Lieutenant W E Gower, were ordered to undertake an ‘offensive patrol’ over the lines in the Ploegsteert Wood sector (known as ‘Plugstreet’ to the Tommies). For that sortie, his normal FE2b was unserviceable so he took FE 2d, serial A 39.

The London Gazette Monday 12 February 1917

‘His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Victoria Cross to No. 1396 Sjt. Thomas Mottershead, late R.F.C., For most conspicuous bravery, endurance and skill when, attacked at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the petrol tank was pierced and the machine set on fire.

Royal Aircraft Factory FE 2 with unnamed pilot (© RAF Museum X003-2602-10690)

Enveloped in flames, which his observer, Lt. Gower was unable to subdue, this very gallant soldier succeeded in bringing his aeroplane back to our lines, and though he made a successful landing, the machine collapsed on touching the ground, pinning him beneath wreckage from which he was subsequently rescued.

Though suffering extreme torture from burns, Sjt. Mottershead showed the most conspicuous presence of mind in the careful selection of a landing place, and his wonderful endurance and fortitude undoubtedly saved the life of his observer.

He has since succumbed to his injuries.’

FE2b preparing for night sortie. Crew unknown. (© RAF Museum X003-2602-10702)

His grave is tended by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension.

Mottershead’s Grave at Bailleul Communal Cemetery

His VC is held by Lord Ashcroft’s collection at the Imperial War Museum, London.

Credits:

Citation: London Gazette 12 February 1917
Headstone photo by The War Graves Photographic Project
Additional biographical details: For Valour: The Air VCs Chaz Bowyer, Grub Street Publishing.

Norman Brice: Volunteer

It all started very many years ago when, lying in my pram, I was awoken by what I later knew as Spitfires on their finals to RAF Biggin Hill, just a handful of miles away. As a schoolboy I was captivated by the annual September Battle of Britain Days at Biggin Hill with a vast range of visiting aircraft, including all three V-Bombers in gleaming anti-flash white.

Fast forward very many years past retirement I joined the RAF Museum London as a volunteer as a Vulcan and Cold War tour guide.