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Family Group 1914-15 Trio Lieut HLI DoW

Family Group, 1914-15 Star Trio, with British War Medal to Sister VAD, 2nd Lieut William Motherwell, Highland Light Infantry, Died of Wounds on 5th March 1917, twice severely wounded.

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SKU: J6341 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
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1914-15 Star Trio, with British War Medal to Sister, 2nd Lieut William Motherwell, Highland Light Infantry, Died of Wounds on 5th March 1917.

 

1914-15 Star named: 2771 Pte W. Motherwell. High L.I.
Pair named: 2. Lieut W. Motherwell.
British War Medal named to his sister: E. Motherwell. V.A.D.

 

William Motherwell was born during 1885 in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, he was on service with the 2nd Battalion attached to the 7th Battalion Highland Light Infantry when he died of wounds on 5th March 1917.

 

Ethel Motherwell, a volunteer with the Voluntary Aid Detachment, Territorial Force Nursing Service served for one year between 28th February 1918 until 27th February 1919.

 

She was born in Airdie, Lanarkshire during 1887, only a year younger than her brother.

 

It was reported in the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser 1st May 1915 that Ethel had volunteered with the V.A.D. to “answer the call whenever it may come”

 

Full Obituary with photo Airdrie Advertiser 10th March 1917:

 

“THE LATE LIEUT WILLIAM MOTHERWELL

 

The sad news of the death from wounds of Lieut Wm Motherwell, Rosemount, Airdrie, came as a shock to many in the town on Tuesday last, the young man having been well known to a wide circle, and greatly beloved by all who knew him.
The only son of Hon Sherriff A.B. Motherwell, he was born on 30th October 1885.
He was educated at Airdrie Academy and Glasgow Academy and had been in business with a firm of stockbrokers in Glasgow for ten years.
On the outbreak of the war he showed a keen desire to service his king and country and as early as September 1914, he enlisted in the H.L.I. Going to France in January 1915, he was seriously wounded in May, 1915 and lay in hospitals in France and London for 4 months. Rejoining his regiment he obtained a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in another battalion of the same regiment in September 1916, and after being at Catterick, Yorkshire, for a few months, he returned to France in the first week of January of the present year.
He was then attached to the Royal Engineers, and was dangerously wounded on 26th March last, and died of his wounds on the 5th inst. The deepest sympathy is felt in the community for his sorrowing parents and sisters.”

 

Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser 10th March 1917 reads:

 

“Aidrie Female Benevolent Society

 

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM MOTHERWELL

 

Before the business began, the Reverend D.H. Paterson said he had been suddenly and most unexpectedly called to take the place of Mr A.B. Motherwell, Joint Secretary of the Society. As they were all aware their friend had just been hastily summoned from the Executive meeting immediately proceeding that public one to receive the sad tidings that his son, Lieutenant William Motherwell, of the H.L.I., had made the last supreme sacrifice from wounds received on the battlefield.
Only yesterday, good news, comparatively, had come: to day the family, that meeting, a great multitude of townsfolk were deeply stricken by this grievous blow.

 

All present would understand how keen must be the suffering of the immediate family circle. Lieutenant Motherwell was an only son; his father and mother and sisters were rightly proud of him as one who had never in the conduct of his life given them a moment’s anxiety, as one who had been and gave promise of being more and more all that their loving hearts could wish. Outside his family he was highly esteemed by a wide circle of young friends. Indeed, everybody, young or old, who knew him, honoured and admired him for his instant readiness from the first to give himself to the good cause, for his bright manliness when wounded about a year ago, and for his brave devotion to duty down to the very end.”

 

Another dedication in the Roll of Honour, Airdrie Advertiser 7th April 1917:

 

“Lieut William Motherwell, Rosemount, Airdrie, Royal Engineers, was wounded in action in France and died on 5th March 1917. Enlisted in September 1914. Formerly he was in business in GLasgow, and resided with his parents Hon. Sheriff and Mrs Motherwell, Rosemount.

 

The provost said he could not pass from this announcement without expressing their sincere sympathy as a Council with Hon Sheriff and Mrs Motherwell on their very sore and sad bereavement.
Lieut Motherwell was a young man who was beloved and respected by all with whom he came into contact, and he was sure that to many his life loss came a personal bereavement. He was a brave and fearless soldier, and was most eager to serve his King and Country. He was twice severely wounded, and although he did not require to go out again on recovering from his first wounding, he volunteered for further service and was fatally wounded on his return to the front.”