Official Army Photograph

William Cotter (my uncle) was born in Maesteg, Glamorgan, South Wales into an Irish Family, He worked in the mines and was called up in 1918, aged 23. I think it was a policy to send those with Irish surnames and Catholics into an Irish regiment, so he was sent to join the Dublin Fusiliers. After basic training he was sent to France and was killed by shellfire at Le Cateaux on October 18th 1918. He was buried in Mons I have his letters and postcards sent from France, photographs of himself, a letter sent to his mother from R.J. Delaney SJ, his medals, letters from the War Office and Rosary beads found on the battlefield. The letter written from the chaplain Fr. J. Delaney to William Cotter’s mother was recopied at a later date for family members. William’s sister hid the original letter sent to the family informed them that William had been killed. Most of, if not all, the letters from William to his mother start by saying he’s doing alright and talk about everyday topics such as the weather. I have visited William Cotter’s grave and have photos of the visit. || Letters from France Letters from WW Office - London

Joseph Lee in Bangalore,India prior to WW1