Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1915 ‘Gallipoli’ D.C.M. awarded to Private F. Mottershead, Lancashire Fusiliers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2128 Pte. F. Mottershead. 1/7 Lanc: Fus: -T.F.) heavy edge bruising and contact marks, worn, therefore good fine £400-500

D.C.M. London Gazette 15 March 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in volunteering to destroy the entrance to one of the enemy’s mine shafts. He carried a bag of explosive round his neck and placed it in position actually within the enemy’s trench. He then returned over the wire laying the electric connection It was later discovered that the entrance had been completely destroyed by the explosion.’

F. Mottershead attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers in August 1914, and embarked with the 1/7th Battalion for Egypt in September 1914. Proceeding to the Dardanelles in April 1915, he served on the Gallipoli Peninsula throughout the campaign, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry and devotion to duty in destroying enemy mines. The History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914-1918 recounts:

‘Throughout the first fortnight of December 1915, the 1st/7th Battalion had dug and sniped their way forward by slow and steady stages. On 14th December Lieutenant W. R. Hartley led a patrol with great boldness and judgement close up to the Turkish trenches near “Cawley’s Crater”. One of the party, Private F. Mottershead, located the entrance to a mine shaft in a trench system called “The Gridiron”, close to the eastern edge of Gully Ravine, only six yards from a crater occupied by the battalion. Captain A. W. Boyd, Corporal W. Downton, and Privates C. Bent and F. Mottershead volunteered next day to carry out the destruction of this mine-head. Mottershead carried a charge of 40 lb. of gelignite round his neck; and the party succeeded in placing it in position on the inner slope of the Turkish parapet without being observed. In addition to the electric wire for firing the explosive, a thin rope was attached to the charge so that a slight jerk would cause the latter to fall into the shaft. As it was essential that the rope should be laid in a straight line, Mottershead had to return to the British trench over the top of the Turkish wire, moving upright and in full view of the enemy. All this was safely accomplished, the rope was jerked, and the gelignite fired. Hartley, who was killed three days later, went out and confirmed that the entrance to the shaft was completely filled. The Battalion’s War Diary added: “Mine now a thing of the past”. Congratulations poured in from higher commanders and Private F. Mottershead was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.’

Mottershead later served in Mesopotamia and then in Palestine, where he took part in the Battles of Gaza. In 1917, owing to a severe wound, he was invalided him, and after recovering was discharged in November of that year.