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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 555

A poignant family group:

Five: Company Sergeant-Major C. W. Cotton, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, recipient of the Italian Al Valore for gallantry on the Somme, who was killed in action on 8 June 1917

1914-15 Star (13667 Sjt. C. W. Cotton. L. N. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (13667 W.O.Cl.2. C. W. Cotton. L. N. Lanc. R.); Italy, Kingdom, Al Valore Medal, bronze issue, unnamed as issued; Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Charles William Cotton), the campaign awards glazed and framed together with his Memorial Scroll (Co. Sjt. Maj. Charles William Cotton Loyal North Lanc. Regt.), the Plaque in a round wooden frame, this last polished, nearly very fine, remainder nearly extremely fine

Pair: Rifleman W. Cotton, King's Royal Rifle Corps, who died as a prisoner of war in Germany on 27 October 1918

1914-15 Star (R-8991 Pte. W. Cotton. K. R. Rif: C.); British War Medal 1914-20 (R-8991 Pte. W. Cotton. K. R. Rif. C.), good very fine (7)

Italian Al Valore in Bronze London Gazette 26 May 1917. A letter written to his wife on 28 March 1917:

'...Well I am going on alright and no doubt you will be pleased to know that I have been awarded the Italian Bronze Medal for Military Valour while fighting in July [1916] at La Boiselle and Bazenti le Petit.'

Charles William Cotton was born at Bolton in 1885 and joined the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in 1914. Serving in France from 17 July 1915, he produced a detailed map of the enemy positions around St Venant in January 1916 for the Officer Commanding 19th Division (see images). He was with the 7th Battalion during their actions on the Somme, being wounded and earning the Al Valore in the process. He wrote a postcard on 26 July 1916 whilst on his way home for treatment:

'Just to let you know that I am alright and am now waiting to get off the ship to land in Dear Old England. Fritz has got a bit of my ear as a souveneir otherwise I have the use of my limbs alright. I got this in the latest push. I will write as soon as I get settled somewhere. So plenty of love to baby & you from Charley.

That letter came soonafter arriving at the 1st Eastern General Hospital, he gives further details:

'To My Dear Darling Wife,

Now at last I have the opportunity of just writing to you as I have longed for a long time without anyone reading the letter before you. Well you see my dear I will try to give you an account of how it all happened. At the commencement of the big push on 1st July we were at Ovillers. After 3 days there we were sent to La Boiselle and did 8 days there. My word it was fine work hunting the Huns out of that place. Well from there we had 6 days rest and then we were sent up to where I got my wound and that was on the front of Bazetin le Petit. My word it was great going over to them but sorry to state I did not reach the swine of well I think I should have been in my element again. It is a bullet wound in the left ear and to tell you the truth I am still wondering how I escaped with my life (I suppose my luck is still with me). The bullet went clean through my left ear and took a piece away with it and also inflicted a small scalp wound below the ear. So you see I wonder but still suppose it is the fortunes of War....I wonder what you would say if you could see me now sit up in bed with pyjamas and sleeping jacket on and a dressing gown again in my bed. When I wish to go to the WC or anything like that they see you they will not let me get up and walk about yet. But yet it does feel great to get away from the sound of the guns and feel clean and be in bed. The weather is grand and it is a open air hospital you can smell the sweet scent of the flowers and lavender but best of all being in England and we are not so very far apart are we dear. Well I think I have given you a good account of the doings related to my injury but one thing I do ask you for my sake please do not bother putting anything in the paper for I do object to being advertised so do not give any information away or I may get in a row for naming places...Now how about youself how are you getting on pet alright I hope do not worry I am alright and still batting...So close with the very best of love to darling mam and dear little Babs. From your ever devoted Hubby, Charley.'

Having learned of the Italian award, he wrote to his wife in March 1917, but his number was up. Cotton was mortally wounded on 8 June 1917, a letter from Sister Graham gives more detail to his final hours:

'He was almost unconscious when he was brough in here and died within an hour after so that he did not speak at all. He was wounded in the chest and died at 9.55pm on the 8th. He was not conscious of suffering which I know will be a comfort to you. Everything possible was done for him by a London chest specialist who was here and we were indeed sorry we could not do more.'

Cotton was buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, with his brother finding the location and erecting a larger Memorial Cross than regularly encountered at that period in reflection of the family loss.

William Cotton - or Walt to his friends and family - served with the 12th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps in France from 27 July 1915. Upon the death of his brother, he found his grave and placed a large Cross. Walt was himself taken prisoner of war on 25 March 1918 and died as a prisoner of war in Germany. Cotton is buried in the Evangelischer Friedhof Bergish-Gladbach Cemetery, Cologne.

Sold together with a poignant original archive related to the Cotton brothers comprising:

(i)
Letters from C. W. Cotton from the front, including those quoted above, related to his wound, his Italian award.

(ii)
Map and letter drawn of the enemy positions.

(iii)
Original photographs, postcards, Christmas cards from C. W. Cotton to his wife and mother.

(iv)
Material related to his loss, including War Graves Commission letters and location details, besides photographs and family cuttings from newspapers.

(v)
Memorial presentation for W. Cotton, with an image of his grave.

(vi)
Further letters, silk postcards, newspaper cuttings related to the brothers.

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Sold for
£1,100

Starting price
£1100