275365 Cpl/A.W.O Class 2 G Mottram 2/7 Manch Reg

[Richard Matlock]

Hello all I am trying to find out what i can about the above who i think was an MM winner in Late 1917 , not sure what the A.W.O bit means or anything about the 2nd /7th Manchesters any advice or look ups greatly received

Thanks again Rich M

[dundeesown]

Hi Rich.

George Mottram--Acting Warrant Officer Class 2, Bwm & Victory.

Gary.

[Richard Matlock]

Thanks , do we have any Manchester Pals ? would love to see if i could somehow get a picture of him i think he was from Withington (not sure where that is ) I wonder if they would put his picture in when he got the MM ? Gazetted 14th of Jan 1918, i think he also got the 37 Coronation medal would there be anything in the paper then ? sorry to ask so many questions but this is Rather a new thing to me (spending money, dont tell Mrs M )

Rich M

[grass1]

2/7th were in 199th Brigade 66th(2nd East Lancashire) Division.

In October 1917 they suffered heavy casualties at Poelcapelle during 3rd Ypres.

see http://www.themanchesters.org/66th%20-1.htm

[John_Hartley]

Rich

It's possible that there was a photo in either the Manchester Evening Chronicle or Manchester Evening News. But I wouldnt hold my breath. I've been looking through the papers for earlier in the war and, whilst, there is the odd photo of an MM winner, there must have been many others from the city who did not get a mention.

FYI, Withington is a suburb to the south of the city centre. Very trendy area at the time of the war - and still quite popular.

Date of his Gazette suggests the award was probably for around the time of Poelcapelle although the 2/7th were not in significant action on 9 October. LInk to my website

[themonsstar]

You could also try the Manchesters forum site at:

http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php

[Richard Matlock]

Thanks all i have joined the manchesters site just waiting to see if they accept me , The date with heavy shelling where HQ was blown up i think either the 6th or 7th of October may be right i have a note from a local news paper which states he got the MM for Maintaining Communications between Battalion and HQ under heavy fire, it appears he went on to be a parks superintendent as he got the Coronation medal in 1937 , all good stuff i will keep looking

Rich M

[grass1]

Date of his Gazette suggests the award was probably for around the time of Poelcapelle although the 2/7th were not in significant action on 9 October.

Although 199th Brigade were supposed to be acting as reserve on 9th October the 2/5th and 2/7th Manchesters were ordered into the attack at Poelcapelle as two battalions of the 197th brigade had not made it to the start line on time.

see http://www.themanchesters.org/66th%20-5.htm

[John_Hartley]

Rich

I suspect that in the following extracts from the war diary, the mention of the signals officer sending up supports pinpoints your man's likely action. As you'll see involvement in the action on the 9th was fairly minimal.

"6/10/17 – Relief completed in spite of heavy enemy counter attack. Lines shelled by enemy throughout the day increasing in intensity at night. Two Germans shot during the night by “A” Coy – one killed and one wounded. Both brought in.

7/10/17 (5pm) – Bn HQ blown up by Bosche barrage which preceded counter attack.

7/10/17 (5.30pm) – Commanding officer ( Maj John E Rowbotham) at Brigade conference. Adjutant out of action. Situation handled by Lt F M Pott, signal officer, who pushed supports up and organised reinforcements from support Bn, 2/5th Man Regt. Attack driven off with heavy loss. Great lack of rations and water. Bn HQ removed to SPRINGFIELD.

8/10/17 – Rations & water got up to the coys after great difficulty. Weather conditions very bad.

9/10/17 (5.20am) – 197 Infantry Bde attacked on our front & owing to weather conditions 3/5 Lans Fus were not in assembly trenches. CO 2/7 Man received orders to mop up CEMETERY.

9/10/17 (6.30am) – OC “A” Coy collected remnants and mopped up CEMETERY. 19 prisoners taken.

9/10/17 (6pm) – Heavy German counter-attack started. Many stragglers from 197 Brigade were collected and absorbed into our front line. "

The MM awards were super fast in coming. The diary entry for 31 October mentions the award to Mottram and nine others. If you'd like copies of the diary pages, just drop me a PM with your email address.

John

[Richard Matlock]

Thanks again both , i will keep trying to get as much as i can

Rich M