On 7 January 1917, it was announced that Sergeant Thomas Mottershead of No. 20 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, had been awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery during air operations over the Western Front. The award recognised his actions following a combat over Ploegsteert Wood in Belgium, where he attempted to save both his aircraft and his observer after their machine had been set alight.
By early 1917, air fighting over the Western Front had intensified markedly. The Royal Flying Corps was engaged in reconnaissance, artillery observation, and offensive patrols in support of British Army operations. No. 20 Squadron operated the FE2d, a two-seat pusher biplane designed for reconnaissance and fighter duties. Although effective in its time, the type was increasingly challenged by more modern German fighters.
The Engagement over Ploegsteert Wood
During a patrol near Ploegsteert Wood, Sergeant Mottershead and his observer were attacked by enemy aircraft. In the course of the engagement, their FE2d was struck by gunfire and caught fire in mid-air. A burning aircraft at altitude presented an almost insurmountable hazard; flames and smoke could rapidly incapacitate crew members and destroy structural integrity.
Despite suffering severe burns, Sergeant Mottershead retained control of the aircraft. Rather than abandoning the machine or losing control, he maintained a deliberate descent, guiding the stricken FE2d away from enemy territory and towards British lines. The aircraft was brought down in a controlled manner, enabling his observer to survive the forced landing.
The physical injuries sustained by Sergeant Mottershead were grave. Contemporary accounts indicate that he was extensively burned during the descent and landing. Although medical treatment was provided after the aircraft reached friendly territory, he succumbed to his injuries several days later.
The Award of the Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy within British and Commonwealth forces, was conferred in recognition of Sergeant Mottershead’s determination to save his observer despite his own critical condition. The citation emphasised his presence of mind, composure under extreme circumstances, and selflessness in prioritising his comrade’s survival.
His award was notable in several respects. He was one of the relatively few non-commissioned airmen to receive the decoration during the First World War, and his award was made posthumously. At a time when the Royal Flying Corps was undergoing rapid expansion and facing mounting casualties, such recognition underscored the personal risks faced by aircrew engaged in front-line service.
Operational Context and Consequences
Air combat in early 1917 foreshadowed what would become known as “Bloody April,” when losses among Royal Flying Corps squadrons rose sharply. Aircraft such as the FE2d, though reliable and capable in certain roles, were increasingly vulnerable to newer German fighters equipped with synchronised machine guns. The encounter over Ploegsteert Wood reflected the evolving nature of aerial warfare, in which survivability often depended on both aircraft performance and pilot skill.
While the immediate tactical outcome of the specific engagement was limited to the loss of an aircraft, the survival of the observer was directly attributable to Sergeant Mottershead’s actions. His conduct became part of the developing ethos of the air services, in which responsibility for crew and mission was paramount.
Significance in the Wider Air War
The award announced on 7 January 1917 holds enduring significance in the history of British military aviation. It illustrates the hazards of early aerial combat, where aircraft were fragile, unarmoured, and highly susceptible to fire. It also highlights the importance placed upon discipline and composure under extreme pressure.
As the Royal Flying Corps continued its operations over the Western Front, acts of individual bravery were recorded amid rapid technological and tactical change. Sergeant Mottershead’s Victoria Cross stands as a reminder of the personal dimension of the air war in 1917, an era in which courage and resolve often determined survival as much as machinery or numbers.
In the broader narrative of the First World War in the air, his actions over Ploegsteert Wood remain a testament to the character of those who flew in its earliest and most hazardous campaigns.
