A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars

Three: Major H. J. Cotton, 99th Infantry, attached 76th Punjabis, died as a prisoner of the Turks, after the surrender of the Garrison at Kut, 23 May 1916, and posthumously M.I.D.

1914-15 Star (Major, 99/Infy.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Major) extremely fine (3) £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals to Officers Who Died During The Two World Wars.

View
Collection

M.I.D. London Gazette 19 October 1916. ‘...by Major-General Townshend for distinguished service during the defence of Kut-al-Amarah.’

Herbert Joseph Cotton was born on 6 April 1876, and educated at the Merchant Taylors School. He was first commissioned into the Indian Army on 5 August 1896, and received his Majority on 14 August 1914.

In October 1915 at Kut-al-Amara, following the 1st Battle of Kut, the 76th Punjabis were reinforced by drafts from it’s depot in India; together with one full company of Jats from the 99th Deccan Infantry, under Major H. J. Cotton. The 76th formed part of the 30th Indian Infantry Brigade which, on 8 November 1915 very soon after Cotton’s arrival at Kut, transferred to the 6th Poona Division, commanded by Maj.-Gen. Townsend. In the ensuing advance to Baghdad, the regiment was in the thick of the Battle of Ctesiphon on 21/22 November, forming a significant component of the Flying Column, under Maj.-Gen. Mellis, which moved around the Turkish rear, enfiladed, and then stormed their second line trenches. The attack was badly conceived. It was held up, and ultimately failed. The C.O. and 2 I.C. of the 76th Punjabis were both killed, and command therefore devolved upon Cotton. The 76th suffered substantial casualties at Ctesiphon, totalling some 289, including 57 killed and missing. It served stoically in the long and arduous 51 mile retreat to Kut, and in the bitter and debilitating siege of five months which followed. The garrison of Kut surrendered on 29 April 1916, and all who were in it were taken into captivity.

Major Cotton had continued in command of the 76th during the siege, but was at some stage accidentally wounded prior to the surrender. The history of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment, gives 16 June 1916 as the date of this unfortunate event, and simply ‘June 1916’ as the date of Cotton’s death. This is at variance with the date recorded by the C.W.G.C. of 23 May 1916. He is buried at Baghdad (North Gate) Cemetery, Iraq.