World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award for his action on March 6, 1916 near Hohenzollern Redoubt, France. Born in Folkestone, Kent, England, he was the oldest child of an Irish father who worked as a laborer. Prior to the outbreak of World War I, he joined the British Army Reserves and was mobilized after the war broke out in July 1914. He was serving as an acting corporal in the 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) when he was gravely wounded in an engagement with enemy forces at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Due to complications from his wounds, he died in the hospital at Lillers, France eight days later at the age of 34. His medal is displayed at The Buffs Regimental Museum in Canterbury, Kent, England. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "During an attack on the Hohenzollen Redoubt, his leg was blown off and he was wounded in both arms, but unaided he managed to crawl 50 yards to a crater. For the next 2 hours he both steadied and directed the men in the crater, allowing his wounds to be roughly treated only when several counter-attacks had been repulsed. He could not be moved back for treatment for 14 hours, but throughout this period he had a cheery word for all."
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. He received the award for his action on March 6, 1916 near Hohenzollern Redoubt, France. Born in Folkestone, Kent, England, he was the oldest child of an Irish father who worked as a laborer. Prior to the outbreak of World War I, he joined the British Army Reserves and was mobilized after the war broke out in July 1914. He was serving as an acting corporal in the 6th Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) when he was gravely wounded in an engagement with enemy forces at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Due to complications from his wounds, he died in the hospital at Lillers, France eight days later at the age of 34. His medal is displayed at The Buffs Regimental Museum in Canterbury, Kent, England. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "During an attack on the Hohenzollen Redoubt, his leg was blown off and he was wounded in both arms, but unaided he managed to crawl 50 yards to a crater. For the next 2 hours he both steadied and directed the men in the crater, allowing his wounds to be roughly treated only when several counter-attacks had been repulsed. He could not be moved back for treatment for 14 hours, but throughout this period he had a cheery word for all."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
CORPORAL WILLIAM RICHARD COTTER VC
Gravesite Details
Corporal, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Age: 33.
Advertisement
See more Cotter memorials in:
Advertisement
