P/O R. Mottram joined the RAF on a short service commission in August 1939.

Roy was with 92 Squadron at Pembrey in June 1940.
On 15th September 1940, Roy claimed a He 111 destroyed.
At 09:55hrs on 18th September 1940, Roy was shot down in combat with Bf 109s. His Spitfire Mk I (N3193) crashed and burned out at Hollingbourne, Kent. Roy was admitted to Orpington Hospital with slight burns.

On 20th October Roy claimed a Bf 110 destroyed.

On 31st August 1941, Roy Mottram was with 54 Squadron on a fighter sweep over France when he was shot down in Spitfire Mk V (W3712).
It took several days of hard work for the Germans to dig up and recover the body of this unfortunate pilot, hence the reason why he was only laid to rest on 8th september 1941 at Merville, France.