L/Cpl
Ernest James Cottell
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 13/01/1898 |
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Place of birth: Bath, Somerset, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: 18 Kensington Gardens Bath, Somerset, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Cabinet Maker |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Lance Corporal |
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Service number: 25496 |
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Enlistment place: Bath, Somerset, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Prince Albert’s (Somerset Light Infantry), 6th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 22/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Inverness Copse, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 19 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 41 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place |
My story
Ernest James Cottell was born on 13 January 1898 in Bath, Somerset, where he lived with his parents, an older sister and a younger brother. After leaving school, he was hired as a labourer in a furniture shop where he worked when he enlisted in the army during the First World War. He was assigned to Prince Albert's (Somerset Light Infantry), 6th Battalion, part of the 43rd Brigade of the 14th Division.
On 17 August 1917, the division arrived in Flanders. At the front, the 43rd Brigade relieved the 41st Brigade at Inverness Copse along the Menin Road on the night of 20-21 August 1917. Their front line ran north-south about halfway between Clapham Junction and the western edge of Inverness Copse. The 6th Somerset Battalion relieved the 7th Rifle Brigade and was assigned the right sector east of Stirling Castle.
At 07h00 on 22 August 1917, the 6th Somersets on the right and the 6th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry on the left launched an attack towards Herenthage Chateau and Inverness Copse. The aim was to advance further up the Geluveld plateau. From this height, the Germans looked straight into the British lines. The plateau was due to fall as early as 31 July, the first day of the offensive, but resisted every attack until then.
Another attempt was made on 22 August. In addition to artillery and machine guns, four tanks supported the attackers. The tanks could be deployed again because it had been warm and dry for several days, which meant that ground conditions were better than in early August. Eventually, the attack would stall at Inverness Copse. Much resistance was offered from Herenthage Chateau, among other places. Once the attack was repulsed, three German counterattacks followed. Exhausted, the Somersets were relieved at night by companies of the Durhams. All the positions won would eventually be recaptured by the Germans on 24 August.
After the fighting on 22 August 1917, Lance Corporal Ernest James Cottell, aged only 19, was reported missing. No grave of him is known to date. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, panel 41.
On 17 August 1917, the division arrived in Flanders. At the front, the 43rd Brigade relieved the 41st Brigade at Inverness Copse along the Menin Road on the night of 20-21 August 1917. Their front line ran north-south about halfway between Clapham Junction and the western edge of Inverness Copse. The 6th Somerset Battalion relieved the 7th Rifle Brigade and was assigned the right sector east of Stirling Castle.
At 07h00 on 22 August 1917, the 6th Somersets on the right and the 6th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry on the left launched an attack towards Herenthage Chateau and Inverness Copse. The aim was to advance further up the Geluveld plateau. From this height, the Germans looked straight into the British lines. The plateau was due to fall as early as 31 July, the first day of the offensive, but resisted every attack until then.
Another attempt was made on 22 August. In addition to artillery and machine guns, four tanks supported the attackers. The tanks could be deployed again because it had been warm and dry for several days, which meant that ground conditions were better than in early August. Eventually, the attack would stall at Inverness Copse. Much resistance was offered from Herenthage Chateau, among other places. Once the attack was repulsed, three German counterattacks followed. Exhausted, the Somersets were relieved at night by companies of the Durhams. All the positions won would eventually be recaptured by the Germans on 24 August.
After the fighting on 22 August 1917, Lance Corporal Ernest James Cottell, aged only 19, was reported missing. No grave of him is known to date. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, panel 41.
Sources 7
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6 Battalion Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Alberts') (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1909/3_1). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 372). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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British Army World War I Service Medal and Awards Rolls, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 329). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG13). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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Soldier' Effects Records (National Army Museum, Chelsea (NAM) 1901-60; NAM Accession Number: 1991-02-333). https://www.nam.ac.uk/ Sources used |
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Wyrall Everard., "The Somerset Light Infantry 1914-1919." (London,Methuen&Co. Ltd,36 Essex street W.C., 1927), 208-210. Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/841446 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/970769 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=9475b7cc-b6a8-441e-b9c0-a452f929bd96 |