Description
Physical description
Field Service Cap of officer-quality khaki cloth, having a fold-up curtain, but both buttons are missing. Evidence of the cap badge once being in place remains, but the badge is also missing. There is considerable light fade to the left side of the cap. Inside, the cap is lined with lightly padded fabric.
History note
This cap was worn by Sergeant Thomas Mottershead, the only non-commissioned Victoria Cross recipient of the Royal Flying Corps.
Motteshead (1892-1917), enlisted into the RFC in August 1914, having been an apprenticed engineer. In 1916 he qualified as a pilot, having passed out of the Central Flying School at Upavon, and posted to No. 25 Squadron at St. Omer. He later participated in actions during the Battle of the Somme, gaining a Distinguished Conduct Medal in September, 1916. Re-assigned to No. 20 Squadron, Sgt Mottershead was patrolling with his observer over the vicinity Ploegsteert Wood (Belgium) on 11th January, 1917, when they were in action with two Albatross D.111 aircraft. In the engagement that followed one was successfully intercepted and put out of action, but fire from the other hit Mottershead's petrol tank, setting the aircraft on fire. Enveloped in flames the sergeant brought his aircraft down to land behind Allied lines whilst the observer was able to subdue the flames with a hand-held extinguisher. However, Mottershead was so badly burned, that despite both surviving the impact (Lieutenant Gower was thrown clear, but Sergeant Mottershead was trapped in the cockpit) he died of his injuries five days later.
Sergeant Mottershead's VC citation read, "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. 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, Sgt. 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."
Applied in red paint by hand to lining of cap.
9933