Military History

Cotterell was promoted to Sergeant. 16.8.1916. He was sent to Officer School at Duntroon 19.8.1916 and promoted to 2nd Lieutenant 1.4.1917.
Embarked Albany per HMAT ‘Port Melbourne’ A16 for England 24.7.1917.
Roll Rank 2nd Lieutenant.
Roll Unit 21st Reinforcement 28th Battalion. Australian Imperial Force.
Cotterell disembarked at Liverpool, UK with the 21st Reinforcement 28th Battalion 16.9.1917. He marched in to 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone 17.9.1917. Cotterell proceeded overseas to France 4.1.1918 and marched in to the 28th Battalion 16.1.1918. He was sent to the Gas School for training 2.2.1918 and rejoined his unit 9.2.1918. He was sent to Musketry School 2.3.1918 and rejoined his unit 23.3.1918. The 28th Battalion fought to push back the German offensive in April 1918. The 28th Battalion fought in the front lines at Dernacourt in April 1918. Cotterell was wounded in action receiving a gunshot wound to his foot, left leg and chest 9.4.1918 in this action. He was admitted to the General Hospital at Rouen, then transferred to England per Hospital Ship ‘Panama’ 12.4.1918 and admitted to the London General Hospital at Wandsworth 13.4.1918. Cotterell was discharged to Sutton Veny 5.8.1918. He proceeded overseas to France per HT ‘Panama’ 23.8.1918 and rejoined his unit 28.8.1918. Cotterell fought in one of his Battalion’s final actions in WW1, to support the Allies in their attempt to breakthrough the Beaurevoir Line in October. He was KIA 3.10.1918, hit in the head by bullets from Machine Gun fire whilst on the road passing Mt. St. Quentin 3.10.1918 (AWM Red Cross File). Cotterell was buried at Hargicourt Quarry British Cemetery (Plot 1, Row L) with full Military Honours, the service conducted by Chaplain Rev. Gallop.
Final Rank Lieutenant 28th Battalion. Australian Imperial Force.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos  HMAT 'Port MelbourneP'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from AWM B0259
              Rollestone, live grenade throwing practice. Photographer Dowes H. album, photograph source AWM P10688.011.002
              Aerial view of Dernacourt  area showing rail France, May 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A010509
              3rd Australian General Hospital at Wandsworth.UK_.c 1916. Postcard by Card House
              Mont St Quentin Village shell damaged trenches and town wall 1918. Photographer unknown, Photograph source AWM E05311

Information Source
AWM B0259. HMAT 'Port Melbourne'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from  the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM A010509. Aerial view of Dernacourt  area showing rail France, May 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of th Australian War Memorial
AWM E05311. Mont St Quentin Village shell damaged trenches and town wall 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Card House. 3rd Australian General Hospital at Wandsworth.UK_.c 1916. Postcard by Card House
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Guildford Grammar School War Memorial
AWM P10688.011.002. Rollestone, live grenade throwing practice. Photographer Dowes H. album, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Cotterell G E
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- George Edward Cotterell
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour- George Edward Cotterell
Australian War Memorial Red Cross File George Edward Cotterell

7 Gordon St., West Perth, WA. (Wife and Mother)
183 Newcastle St., Perth, WA. (Postal address)

Associated Images