Cemetery: Lillers Communal Cemetery

Country: France

Area: Pas De Calais

Rank: Corporal

Force: Army

Official Number: 6707

Unit: 6th Bn. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).

Country of Service: British

Details: V C 14th March 1916. Age 33. Son of Amy Cotter of 2 Barton Cottages Sandgate Kent. IV. E. 45. An extract from The London Gazette dated 28th March, 1916 (No. 29527), records the following:-For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. When his right leg had been blown off at the knee and he had also been wounded in both arms he made his way unaided for fifty yards to a crater steadied the men who were holding it controlled their fire issued orders and altered the dispositions of his men to meet a fresh counter-attack by the enemy. For two hours he held his position and only allowed his wounds to be roughly dressed when the attack had quieted down. He could not be moved back for fourteen hours and during all this time had a cheery word for all who passed him. There is no doubt that his magnificent courage helped greatly to save a critical situation.

Photograph by David Milborrow