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Auction: 24001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 171

A 'Salonica 1918' M.C. group of five to Major C. C. Cotton, Army Service Corps

Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914 Star, with copy slide clasp (2. Lieut: C. Cotton. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major. C. Cotton.); Defence Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn very fine (5)

M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1918.

M.I.D. London Gazette 21 July 1917.

Cecil Cotton was born at St. Mary Abbotts, London on 30 January 1889, and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 15 August 1914. Entering the war in France on 18 August 1914 to undertake Motor Transport Duties at the Depot at Le Havre. Posted to the 3rd Cavalry Division, Army Service Corps from 24 January 1915 he returned to Le Havre on 27 March, this time with the 7th Cavalry Brigade. Cotton was ordered to the Supply Depot at Marseilles on 11 November 1915 and three days later proceeded with the Supply Units of the 27th Division as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

Arriving in Salonica on 25 November 1915 he was attached to 233 Depot Unit Supply and promoted Captain on 20 March 1916. Further promoted Acting Major on 10 November 1916, he returned to England on leave from 22 December 1916 returning on 31 January 1917 and was sent back to Salonica. Cotton relinquished the rank of Acting Major on 17 October 1918 he returned to Britain on 18 January 1919. Demobilised whilst on leave Cotton was struck off strength on 7 February 1919, being promoted Major on 28 January 1920 while retired.

Postwar he went to work for Cook Son & Co. (St.Paul's) Ltd, St.Paul's Churchyard, becoming Managing Director. The company hit the headlines in October 1935 over a wages dispute. Taking a hardline stance, Cotton advised that "if the employees went out they would stay out". Of a staff numbering 1,500, only 250 were in the union and were not speaking for the whole staff. He died on 24 October 1951.

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Sold for
£580

Starting price
£600