NORMAN COTTON
Royal Engineers

Message:
I am the nephew of my fathers late brother Norman Cotton. He had no children and passed away some years ago. My uncle Norman fought during the second World War having gone to OCTU in '39 and been assigned to a unit destined for west Africa. Having picked up some troops they then went to the Far East where I believe he served until 1944/45. He returned home with a Ghurka soldier who was collecting a medal from the King. This soldier presented my Father (only 14/15 at the time) with his Kukri that I still have in my possession today. I have no further details of his campaigns save that a picture of him seems to have lapel badge of the Royal Engineers, that he was captured by the Japanese and rescued by the Ghurkas and that he was carried some distance with a mastoid (infection behind the ear) to the nearest field hospital by the same ghurkas. He started in the TA before the War with 311 Battery Regiment Artillery (Brierley Hill) in Worcestershire. Any information that you may have or direction on where I need to go to find information on Norman and the Ghurka soldier would be greatly appreciated. My Father remembers one Army number. This was either for Norman or another brothers, Victor Cotton. The number is 1455757. I am contactable by reply or on 07973 814275. My Father is in an advanced state of decline and I am trying to get this infomation togther with great speed. I would appreciate your help and any information as soon as possible. Many thanks and best regards, Keith Cotton on keith.cotton@virgin.net