William Richard Cotter

He held the defence with one leg lost and both arms wounded.

William Richard Cotter was born in Folkestone, Kent, in 1882, the eldest of six sons of Richard and Amy Cotter. His father was a labourer and a former soldier. William entered The Buffs, the East Kent Regiment, in 1902, giving his own occupation as labourer. He served in India and Aden and later in Britain and Ireland before passing to the Army Reserve in February 1914.

He returned to service when the First World War began. Although he had previously lost the sight of an eye, he remained an active infantryman. His five younger brothers also served in the Army or Royal Navy. Cotter’s experience brought promotion to acting corporal, and he became known for dangerous scouting and sniping work on the Western Front.

In March 1916 he was serving with the 6th Battalion near the Hohenzollern Redoubt. The surrounding trenches and mine craters had become the scene of repeated attacks and counterattacks. During the fighting of 6–7 March, his party was cut off. He went back under fire to report the situation and returned with grenades, helping the men withdraw towards a crater position.

His Victoria Cross citation records that, after losing his right leg at the knee and being wounded in both arms, he moved approximately fifty yards unaided to reorganize the defenders. He steadied their fire, issued orders and adjusted their positions against a renewed German attack. The citation states that “for two hours he held his position” and describes the further fourteen-hour delay before evacuation (The London Gazette, March 1916; citation reproduced by the National Army Museum, https://ww1.nam.ac.uk/stories/corporal-william-cotter/).

Cotter reached a casualty clearing station at Lillers. Lieutenant-General Sir Hubert Gough visited and informed him that he had been recommended for the Victoria Cross, placing its ribbon on his chest. Nursing Sister Kate Luard’s contemporary account records his determination and the efforts made to save him. He died from his wounds on 14 March 1916 and was buried in Lillers Communal Cemetery.

His parents received the decoration after his death, and the King subsequently expressed regret that he had been unable to present it personally. Cotter’s life ended before he could return to his family or resume civilian work. His medals, now in the National Army Museum, preserve the service of an experienced regular soldier whose final action was recognized posthumously.

Official Victoria Cross citation

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.

Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 28 March 1916. 30 March 1916, Numb. 29527, p. 3410