Harold Mottashed

Harold was born in Retford in 1893 the son of Walter and Agnes Mottashead of 17 Carolgate, Retford he had three siblings. The Census of 1901 shows that his father Walter was employed as a Drapers Shopkeeper and aged 50 born in Retford. His wife Agnes and Harold’s mother was 39 and had been born in the West Indies. In the 1911 census we find Harold and his family still living at 17 Carolgate Retford, at this time he is 18 years of age and an apprentice drayman.

His army record shows that he enlisted on 4th September 1914 and at first served with 2nd Manchester Regiment. He gave his age as 21 years and 6 months and that he was a tracer by trade and lived in Retford . After initial training he eventually embarked for France arriving on 7th November 1915. On 9th September 1916 he was transferred in the field to the 8th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was killed in action on 11th October 1916 aged 23 years. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Information on Harold Mottashed has been provided by Alan Laurie