Recently, 20 Squadron conducted Force Development on Exercise Mottershead, a Battlefield Study to the Western Front, across France and Belgium. Guided by the Squadron Historian, Mr Andy Stewart, they visited numerous sites of historic importance. These included Arras Flying Services Memorial, Vimy Ridge, Thiepval, and the grave of Sergeant Thomas Mottershead, the Squadron’s Victoria Cross Holder.
For the first time since the reformation of 20 Squadron, attendees had the chance to learn about the role the Squadron had during the Great War at sites such as the Somme and Ypres. This was also a chance to reflect on the acts of gallantry and sacrifices made by their predecessors.
One of the service personnel who attended said:
There is no substitute for physically walking the ground and being beneath the skies our 20 Squadron forebearers fought so gallantly for. In retracing the Squadrons’ involvement at the Western Front, or as in Sgt Mottershead’s case, his final flight we’ve not only kept important squadron memories alive, but also look forward, to reflect on our ancestors’ warfighting spirit and consider this with respect to current Operations. The chance to lay a wreath and conduct a remembrance service at Sgt Mottershead’s grave was a genuine honour. He lived, and died, by our Sqn motto: Facta Non Verba - Deeds Not Words.
