Horace Arthur Cottam
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- Military History
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Horace was born in 1890 (A/M/J) and was the only son of Samuel and Ann Mary Cottam of 109 High Street, Arnold, Nottingham. Samuel Cottam (b. Southwell) and Ann Mary Nicholson (b. Nottingham) were married in Nottingham to 1884 and had three children: Kate Annie, Ethel Mary and Horace Arthur who were all born in Nottingham. In 1891 Samuel (31), a grocer, and Ann (29) were living at 215 Ilkeston Road, Nottingham, with their three children, Kate (6), Ethel (4) and Horace (10 months). The family was still living at the same address ten years later in 1901; by now Samuel's occupation was described as grocer/shopkeeper 'on his own account'. Their eldest daughter, Kate, married Harry Simpkin in 1908 and in 1911 only Ethel and Horace were still living with their parents who now lived at 8 Carrington Street, Nottingham. From the information in the notice of Horace's death in 1917 it is likely that Samuel and his wife were running the Alexandra Hotel. Their daughter, Ethel, was assisting in the business but Horace was a warehouseman. Ethel later married William Richard Bridgewater. Samuel and Ann were living at 27 Mona-street, Beeston, Nottingham, at the time of their deaths; Ann died on 31 December 1927 and Samuel three months later on 17 March 1928.
Private Horace Arthur Cottam enlisted at Nottingham, he initially served with the service number 21270 in the Grenadier Grenadier Guards He landed in France on 15th August 1915 and was serving with the service number 81 in the 3rd Company Machine Gun Corps He was kiiled in action on 26th July 1917 and is buried in Duhallow ADS Cemetery, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen (grave ref VIII.A.3). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Mundella Magazine, Christmas 1918, ROH: 'Cottam, HA, Pte, MGC.' Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 7 August 1917: 'Cottam. Killed in action by shell July 26th 1917, Horace Arthur, Grenadier Guards, only son of Mr and Mrs S Cottam age 27, late Alexandra Hotel, Carrington Street, brother of Mrs Harry Simpkins, Southwell Road (Kate).' Death notices published 7th August 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “COTTAM. – Killed in action by shell, July 26th, 1917, Horace Arthur, Grenadier Guards, dearly-loved and devoted only son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Cottam, aged 27, late Alexandra Hotel, Carrington-street. Into Thy hands, O Lord. “COTTAM. – Killed in action by shell, July 26th, 1917, Horace Arthur, Grenadier Guards, the dearly loved and devoted brother of Mrs. Harry Simkins, Southwell-road. A noble life. A noble death. – Kate and Harry. “COTTAM. – Killed in action, July 26th, 1917, my dearly loved Horace, Grenadier Guards, two years' active service. The supreme sacrifice. – Fiancée Lily and Mr. and Mrs. Chesham.” In memoriam published 26th July 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “COTTAM. – In cherished memory of our dear and devoted only son, Horace Arthur, Machine Gun Guards, who have his life for home and country July 26th, 1917. The sacrifice too great. – From sorrowing mother and father. “COTTAM. – In proud and everlasting remembrance of our dearly loved brother, Horace Arthur, Machine Gun Guards (Grenadiers), killed in action July 26th, 1917, after two years' active service; volunteered 1914. Cherished memories shattered hopes. – Sister Katie, Mrs. Harry Simkins and husband (Mesopotamia).” Above notices are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 His father, Samuel, was his legatee. Probate: Cottam Ann Mary of 27 Mona-street Beeston Nottinghamshire (wife of Samuel Cottam) died 31 December 1927 Administration Nottingham 11 May to Kate Annie Simpkins (wife of Harry Simpkins) and Ethel Mary Bridgewater (wife of William Richard Bridgewater). Effects £320. Probate: Cottam Samuel of 27 Mona-street Beeston Nottinghamshire died 17 March 1928 Administration Nottingham 24 April to Kate Annie Simpkins (wife of Harry Simpkins) and Ethel Mary Bridgewater (wife of William Richard Bridgewater). Effects £1259 5s.
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