Cotton, BGH
(1889 - 1917)
Key Facts
DATE OF BIRTH:
29th August 1889
YEARS ATTENDED THE COLLEGE:
1905 - 1908
HOME ADDRESS WHEN AT THE COLLEGE:
Greenbank, Folkestone
REGIMENT
17th Battalion, London Regiment
FINAL RANK:
Captain
DATE OF DEATH:
8th November 1917
AGE AT DEATH:
28
WHERE HE DIED (or was wounded)
Palestine
LOCATION OF GRAVE OR MEMORIAL:
Beersheba War Cemetery. P. 49
Captain Brian Gordon Hamilton Cotton
Born on August 29th 1889, he was the son of Sir George and Lady Cotton, although his father passed away when Brian was just five years old. Whilst at Dulwich he was a boarder in Ivyholme, and from the College went up to Trinity Hall, Cambridge. After graduating from Cambridge he spent the latter part of 1912 in North America, returning to England the following year, at which time he was named a Barrister at Law by the Middle Temple. He was also invited by the Conservative Association of Accrington to stand as their candidate for election, something which his father Sir George had done previously.
When war was declared in the summer of 1914 Brian was once again in Canada, but returned to England at once, signing up as a member of the Inns of Court O.T.C., subsequently being given a commission in the 17th Battalion of the London Regiment in October. As the war progressed he saw action in France, Salonica and Egypt, and was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1916, and Captain in April 1917. Later that year he was fighting in Palestine when he died of wounds on November 8th, being buried at Beersheba. He was survived by his widow, Edith.
