Edward John Mott

Captured a machine gun despite a severe wound to his own eye

Edward John Mott enlisted in the Border Regiment on 31 December 1910 and served in Burma before returning to Britain late in 1914. He landed at Gallipoli with the 1st Battalion in April 1915. His conduct at Krithia earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and he was also mentioned in despatches.

On 27 January 1917, near Le Transloy in France, his company was held up by machine-gun fire. Although severely wounded in the eye, Sergeant Mott rushed the gun position. After a fierce struggle he captured the gunner and the weapon, enabling the attack on the left flank to succeed. He received his Victoria Cross from King George V on 4 April 1917.

Mott was discharged medically unfit in March 1919. His later medals included the 1937 and 1953 coronation medals. He died at Witney on 20 October 1967. His original Victoria Cross is in the Fitzwilliam Museum collection.

Official Victoria Cross citation:

For most conspicuous gallantry and initiative when, in an attack, the company to which he belonged was held up at a strong point by machine-gun fire. Although severely wounded in the eye, Serjeant Mott made a rush for the gun, and after a fierce struggle seized the gunner and took him prisoner, capturing the gun. It was due to the dash and initiative of this non-commissioned officer that the left flank attack succeeded.