Statue unveiling on the RAF’s centenary
SATURDAY June 2, 1917, was a day of mixed emotions for Peggy Mottershead, the widow of Sgt Thomas Mottershead VC DCM.
She had been summoned to Hyde Park in London to receive his posthumous Victoria Cross medal from the King.
Normally the investitures were held in Buckingham Palace, but this year was different. Britain was getting bombed by German bombers, the type was called the Gotha bomber.
This and the fact the German’s were pushing the allies back in some areas on the front did not bode well with the people of Britain and the rest of the Commonwealth, in March 1917 the dislike was starting to turn to hatred to the Royal family – the house SaxeCoburg and Gotha. They had to change their name to Windsor on July 17, 1917.
The Royal advisers rec- ommended all military awards should be done together in Hyde Park, instead of in small batches at the Palace.
This caused many problems for those collecting their awards, there were 351 awards to be handed out. This would be a very lengthy process, especially for those collecting posthumous Victoria Cross medals, they would have to sit through the whole process, each with their own sad thoughts of why they were there. They couldn’t talk to anyone, most of all couldn’t cry.
This wouldn’t be a joyous event, many of the officers and other ranks would be angry with the Royal Family, Peggy would hear the soft rumblings within those waiting for their respect award.
She would be extremely lonely, sad and yet proud. But as a mother she would be fretting being away from her little ‘sunshine’ their ● son Sydney who was almost two and a half years old who was in another part of Hyde Park with two of his aunts.
She would never have guessed she and her family would be remembered 100 years later.
Friday, June 2, was the centenary of Peggy receiving Tom’s medal, not just any medal, but the highest military award for any military person for Britain and the Commonwealth.
Sgt Thomas Mottershead VC DCM was the ONLY man from Widnes and the only NCO pilot in WW1 to be awarded this medal.
Tom’s statue will be unveiled on April 1, 2018, the centenary of the formation of the RAF.
As Tom and his family were very ‘quiet’ and religious people, so the committee bearing this in mind, will keep the unveiling a low key affair.
The 310 Squadron (Widnes) Air Cadets, will lead the small parade and form a guard of honour around his statue while his statue is unveiled.
The Air Cadets have earned this Honour as they are the only people who have helped the appeal to collect money with bucket collections at Widnes Vikings and Asda.
You can donate through our web site www.mottersheadstatueappeal. co. uk, PayPal, https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ tony-miller
http://goget. fund/2asYksK or by sending a cheque (NOT CASH) made out to the Sgt Thomas Mottershead statue appeal. And send it to Tony Miller 27 Godstow, Sandymoor, Runcorn, WA7 1UE.
https:// www. facebook. com/SgtMottershead
We still have a small way to go in collecting funds, if you think you could help by donating, please do.
No money is paid out in expenses or wages of any kind. The committee fund everything out of their own pockets.