Francis Hague Mottershaw
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Francis (Frank) was the youngest son of William Mottershaw and Frances Hague Mottershaw (nee Hague). Both his parents were born in Nottingham, William in 1868 (A/M/J Nottingham) and Frances also in 1868 (O/N/D Nottingham). They were married in 1894 (A/M/J Nottingham) and had three children, William Ernest birth registered 1895 J/F/M (Nottingham), Francis b. 1896 (O/N/D Nottingham) and Dorothy May b. 28 September 1908 (O/N/D Nottingham). In 1901 William (32), a clerk, and Frances (32) were living at 14 Cedar Road, Hyson Green, with their two sons, William E. (6) and Francis H. (4). By 1911 William, now an agent for a collector, and Frances and their children William (16) a draper's office boy, Francis, an errand boy for a lace manufacturer, and Dorothy May (2) were living at 49 Laurie Avenue, Burford Road, Forest Fields. Francis' brother, William Ernest, served in the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters Notts & Derby Regiment (13086 Private) and was killed in action on 15 September 1916 although his death was not confirmed until August the following year (Thiepval Memorial). Francis' parents were still living at 49 Laurie Avenue at the time of his mother's death on 8 April 1923 at the age of 54. His father probably died in 1967 at the age of 98 (March, Nottingham). His sister Dorothy May married Leonard Wrench in 1931 (J/A/S Nottingham) and her death in 2001 at the age of 92 was registered in August of that year in Lewes, East Sussex.
Francis Hague Mottershaw enlisted on 7th September 1914, joining the Northumberland Fusiliers but transferring to the RNVR on 10th September at Crystal Palace. The RN&RM War Graves Roll gives his date of birth as 7 September 1895 but this is a year earlier than the registration of his birth, 1896, O/N/D, and the notice of his death in the local paper gives his age as 21; Francis therefore enlisted on his 18th birthday. He was drafted to Anson Battalion RND on 16th January 1915 but was admitted to hospital with impetigo and influenza on 30th March 1915. Rejoining Anson Battalion, temporarily attached to the Howe Battalion, on 28th August 1915, he rejoined the Battalion at Anzac (Gallipoli) on 10th September 1915. He was with the battalion until 19th October 1916 but then suffering from pyrexia [fever] 'of unknown origin' he was invalided home arriving in the UK on 1st November 1916. He was drafted for the BEF (France) on 1st April 1917 joining Anson Battalion on 2nd May until 15th June when he was again admitted to hospital with 'pyrexia unknown origin.' He rejoined the battalion on 30th August 1917. Francis was killed in action on 26th October 1917 but the notice of his death did not appear in the local paper until May the following year. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Note: Father's name on RN/RND records given as 'William Ernest', but as 'William' on B/M/D and Probate (wife). Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 15 August 1917: ‘Mottershaw. Missing September 15th 1916, now reported killed, Private William E Mottershaw, Sherwood Foresters, aged 21, dearly-loved eldest son of W and FH Mottershaw, 49 Laurie-avenue, Nottingham To higher service.’ This notice was also published on 17 August 1917 (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 30 May 1918: ‘Mottershaw. Killed in action, October 26th, 1917, AB Frank Mottershaw, RNVR, aged 21, 49, Laurie-avenue, Nottingham. To higher service .’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) In memoriam published 15th September 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post:- “MOTTERSHAW. – In loving memory of our dear sons, Pte. Will Mottershaw, killed September 15th, 1918 (sic); also Able Seaman Frank Mottershaw, killed October 26th, 1917. – Fondly remembered by mother, father, and sister May.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Probate: Mottershaw Frances Hague of 49 Laurie-avenue Forest Fields Nottingham (wife of William Mottershaw) died 8 April 1923 Administration Nottingham 15 June to the said William Mottershaw collector. Effects £136 16s. 11d.
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