Trafford

Born during the September quarter 1898 - Altrincham R.D. - ref: 8a/173 and
baptised at St. Anne's Parish Church on the 3rd July 1898.   Recorded as
living at 17 Old Hall Road where he was born (now demolished), the son of
Albert & Lucy Mottershead (nee Saul).

1901 Census Return - Old Hall Road, Sale.   Son - aged: 2 - born: Sale,
Cheshire.  Head of household - Albert Mottershead - Married - aged: 44 -
Nursery Foreman - born: Didsbury, Manchester.    Also - Lucy Mottershead -
Wife - aged: 41 - born: Doncaster, Yorkshire.   Plus 6 siblings.

1911 Census Return - 15 Old Hall Road, Sale.   Son - aged: 12 - Scholar -
born: Sale, Cheshire.   Head of household - Albert Mottershead - Married -
aged: 54 - Gardener Jobbing - born: Didsbury, Manchester.    Also - Lucy
Mottershead - Wife - aged: 51 - born: Doncaster, Yorkshire.   Plus 4
siblings.

Enlisted in January 1915 and drafted to the front November 1916.    Entry &
photograph on pages 176/177 Manchester City Battalions Book of Honour.  
Third from right, back row.

Pension Records - Dependant -= Mother - Mrs. Lucy Saul Mottershead, 131a
Northenden Road, Sale.   Awarded a weeklty pension of 9/- w.e.f. the 7th
August 1917.

He had already been wounded previously.  He was killed by a shell.   His
half brother - Albert Motttershead also died on active service.  His
brother - Charles Saul Mottershead was serving with the School of Technical
Training Royal Flying Corps.

Another brother - George Saul Mottershead married Elizabeth Atkinson, a
girl from Westmoreland.  George was a well known physical culture teacher,
who served in France with the South Lancashire Rgt.  He was badly wounded
on 15/10/1916 during the Battle of the Somme and spent some considerable
time in the Highfield Military Hospital, Knotty Ash.   He was told by
doctors that he would be paralised for life, but to the astonishment of the
doctors, he managed to walk again within three years.   He was eventually
released from military service as being unfit for duty.  

His father - Albert Mottershead was a well known horticulturalist auricular
and orchid grower.   Albert often took his three sons - Albert, Stanley &
Charlie, plus his daughter - Norah,  to the Belle Vue Zoo, Manchester.  
Although George always enjoyed the visits, he didn't like the way many of
the animals were exhibited behind bars and vowed that when he grew up he
would create a zoo "without bars".    In 1919 on the advice of his doctor,
George, his wife and baby daughter, Muriel moved to Shavington, near Crewe.
 Here they started a market garden and bought a shop which as well as
having produce from the market garden, sold pet birds.  This allowed him to
indulge in collecting rare birds and the beginning of the Oakfield Zoo at
Shevington.   He soon added a chimp and some rare monkeys that attracted
large numbers visitors each paying to see the animals.   George went on to
found the Chester Zoo which opened its doors on the 10th June 1931.