Thank you to the Friend’s of St. Margaret, Ockley for their research, and to Lenka Cathersides for further research.
Herbert Rayment Cotterell was born on 9th June 1891 in Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk to gamekeeper Ernest and Alice Sarah (nee Rayment). He was baptised on the 16th of August 1891.
Herbert’s father Ernest was born about 1861 in Great Hallingbury, Essex to gamekeeper William, born about 1821 in Ringland, Norfolk and Harriet, born about 1826 in Easton, Norfolk. His mother Alice was born in the 4th quarter of 1856 in Great Baddow, Essex to inn keeper William, born about 1828 in Barkway, Hertfordshire and Mary, born about 1823 in Great Baddow. Ernest married Alice in the 3rd quarter of 1884 in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire.
Herbert Rayment Cotterell had eight known siblings: Ernest William born about 1886 and Alice Mary Cotterell born about 1887, both in Aveley, Essex; Kate Barbara born about 1889 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire; Leonard Evelyn born about 1894 in Wix, Essex; Olive Grace born about 1896 in Lingfield, Sussex; Robert John born about 1899 and Margaret Milly born about 1902, both in Leigh, Surrey and Edward Charles born about 1904 in Charlwood, Surrey.
At the time of the 1891 Census the family lived at Hall Road, Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk. Ernest was working as a game keeper and Alice was at home looking after their children: Ernest, Alice and Kate. The household further comprised of Ernest’s sister Charlotte Mead and her children Percy and Fred. The family was looked after by servant Elizabeth Windfield.
At the time of the 1901 Census the family lived at Nalderswood, Leigh. Ernest was working as a game keeper and Alice was at home. The household further comprised of their children: under game keeper Ernest, Alice, Kate, Herbert, Leonard, Olive and Robert.
At the time of the 1911 Census Herbert was a boarder of game keeper Fred Wilmont at Hoe, Peaslake, Surrey. The household further comprised of Fred’s wife Ellen. The accommodation had four rooms.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Herbert’s family lived at 6 Edes Fields, Reigate, Surrey. Ernest snr was working as a game keeper and Alice was at home. The household further comprised of their children: dress maker Olive, Robert, Margaret, Edward and a gas company clerk Leonard. Alice stated that she had given birth to nine children of whom all were alive. The accommodation had five rooms.
Herbert attested on 26th January 1915 in Guildford into the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a Private with regimental number G/4465. Prior to his enlistment he lived in Ockley and worked as a gamekeeper at Grenehurst Park, Capel.
Herbert disembarked on the 27th of July 1915 in France.
At the time of his death Pte Cotterell was the part of the ‘D’ Company, 7th Battalion of the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment.
PTE. H. R. COTTERELL
Pte. Herbert Rayment Cotterell, the Queen’s R. W. Surrey Regt has been officially reported missing, but there is little doubt of his death, inasmuch as a friend has since written “Our Battalion made an attack on the Huns on July 1st, and took three lines of trenches. We suffered heavily. I found poor old Bert next morning killed. He was shot through the head, and must have died instantly “.
Pte. Cotterell was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Cotterell, of 17 Myrtle Road, Dorking. Before joining the Army he was a gamekeeper at Grenehurst Park, Capel, in which district he was well known. He and Pte. George Long, another gamekeeper on the estate enlisted at the same time, and the latter was reported killed a few weeks ago. Mr. and Mrs. Cotterell have two other sons in the Army. Leonard in the Royal Engineers, and Robert in the Hampshire Regiment.
Herbert Cotterell Missing Notice – 15th July 1916. © Dorking Advertiser. Findmypast.co.uk
He was buried at the Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France. His cemetery reference number is: VII. P.2. The headstone bears the inscription: ‘For His Country And Those He Loved We Will Never Forget’.
He received the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
After his death, Herbert’s parents lived at 17 Myrtle Road Dorking.
| Born | Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk | |
| Lived | Ockley, Surrey | |
| Son of | Ernest and Alice (nee Rayment) Cotterell of 10, Myrtle Road, Dorking | |
| Regiment | 7th Battalion. The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | G/4465 | |
| Date of Death | 1st June 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Somme, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 25 | |
| Memorial | Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France |
