William Ernest Mottershaw
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William was the eldest 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. William's brother, Francis, joined the RNVR in September 1914 and served in Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, (Kitchener P/624 Able Seaman), and was killed in action on 26 October 1917 although his death was not confirmed until May the following year (Tyne Cot Memorial). William's 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.
According to the Medal Roll, William first entered theatre in the Balkans on 31 December 1915. He later transferred to France where he was killed in September 1916. His death was not confirmed until August the following year. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour, 17 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.’ (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) 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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