| Le Mottee | Edward D'Albret | | Lieutenant | LE MOTTEE, EDWARD D'ALBRET, Lieutenant, was born 20 October 1873, at Guernsey, Channel Islands, eldest son of Colonel John Edward Le Mottee, retired Army Officer, ADC to King Edward VII and King George V, and of Laura Lukin, daughter, of Fred Lukin, of Guernsey. He was educated at Twyford School, Rugby, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and joined the Army 21 January 1893. He became Adjutant, 1893; was retained for a longer term in that appointment, during the South African War, 1899-1902, including the Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Poplar Grove and Driefontein; operations in Orange River Colony; operations in Transvaal (mentioned in Despatches twice; Queen's South African Medal and clasps); Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein and Transvaal (Queen's and King's Medals and six clasps, 1901-2), and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Edward D'Albret Le Mottee, Lieutenant, Gloucestershire Regiment. In recognition of services during operations in South Africa". He became Captain 21 January 1902; Major 8 November 1914, and was appointed GSO2, 9th Division, in the European War; was present at the Battle of Loos 27 September 1915, since when he was missing. He served in India and Aden after passing out of the Staff College in 1905, as DAAG, Brigade Major and DAA and QMG; joined the 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment at home in 1912; commanded Company of Gentlemen Cadets (GSO, 2nd Grade), RMC, 1 August 1914 to January 1915; GSO, 2nd Grade, 9th Division, January 1915; went to France 10 May 1915; known to have very pluckily gone forward into trenches to rally the troops at Fosse 8, Battle of Loos, 27 September 1915. The position was lost, and no more definite news has ever come through of him. He married, 20 November 1912, at St Mary's Church, Eastbourne, Charlotte Muriel Watts, second daughter of George Keiupthorne Watts, and they had one daughter, Ethel Mary. The following are extracts from letters: "You will have heard by now that we are unable to trace the whereabouts of your husband. He very pluckily went forward on the morning of 27th September to a place called Fosse 8, where there were very heavy casualties and fighting, and went into the trenches to rally the troops, and he did not return, and all inquiries failed to get any news of him. The position he went up to was retaken by the Germans, so there is a chance that he may have been slightly wounded and unable to get away, and that he is in their hands. I cannot say how sorry I am at this bad news. Your husband was a great friend of mine, and we are all very sad at his being unaccounted for. We can only hope he is in good hands and some news may come through of him soon.—With very sincere sympathy from us all". "I am most grieved at this distressing news. But you must not despair, in spite of all the anxiety you will feel, for until there is definite news hope cannot be gone. Any news I get, of course you shall have, but it is hard to get any. I am so very, very sorry for you, for your anxiety must be terrible, and my most heartfelt sympathy is with you. Your husband was such a help to me always, and I pray that better news may be forthcoming". "I was very sorry to hear the sad news. Your husband was a great friend of mine, and we worked together for all those months so happily. You know how much I grieve his loss, and how sincerely I sympathize with you". "I am sorry to say there is no more news, but I do not think we can expect any now unless it comes through from the German side. A message was received from your husband about 5.45, 27 September 1915, saying he was coming back, and asking for a car to be sent to Vermelles (the limit for cars) to meet him. As the situation was an anxious one, General Thesiger went down to Vermelles in the car to meet your husband and hear the latest news from him of Fosse 8. After General Thesiger had started, affairs at Fosse 8 became very critical, and the General evidently went up there to try and re-establish the situation. Your husband must have gone with him, and has not been heard of since. I feel so much with you, and one cannot do anything to clear up the situation; but I don't despair, as I don't see any reason why he should not be in the hands of the Germans".
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Gloucestershire Regiment |
