Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Military Service

Additional Information

Son of William Henry Cotton and Jessie (nee Penner). Also known as Harry.

Brother of Lieutenant Charles Penner Cotton, who died while serving with the Canadian Field Artillery, and Captain Gordon Ross Penner Cotton, who died while serving with the Canadian Field Artillery.

Brother of Mary Eleanor, Elsie, and Dorothy who was a nursing sister in England, France and Russia during the First World War.

Private Cotton formerly served with the 43rd Ottawa and Carleton Rifles. The following is an excerpt taken from the book Le Livre d'Or, (The Golden Book) of the Canadian Contingent in South Africa, by Gaston P. Labat.

Harry Cotton, was the son of Lieutenant-Colonel William Henry Cotton, of the Militia Department Office, commanding the Ottawa district. He went away to South Africa as a member of D Company, first Canadian contingent, departing Quebec City on the 30 October 1899 on board the ship Sardinian. He arrived in Cape Town on 29 November 1899. The late Private Cotton was about 23 years of age, and since 1895 had been in the service of the Bank of Montreal. He was an efficient and popular employee. He was quite an athlete, being a member of the Ottawa Football Club, and of the Ottawa Rowing Club. In the regatta at Brockville, last year(1899), he was one of Ottawa's four-oared crew. In Kingston, where Mr. Cotton had previously been living, he was also identified with athletics. While stationed in Montreal he belonged to the Victoria Rifles, and with this corps gained his military experience. On going to the front with the first contingent he was granted a year's leave of absence with full pay by the Bank of Montreal. He fell gallantly at Thaba N'Chu on 1 May 1900.

Commemorated on Page 8 of the South African War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.