Acting Corporal WILLIAM RICHARD COTTER
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
6th Bn.
Died 14 March 1916
Age 33 years old
- Country of Service United Kingdom
- Awards Victoria Cross
- Additional Info Son of Amy Cotter, of 2, Barton Cottages, Sandgate, Kent.
- Additional Citation note
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."
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