Wireless Operator / Air Gunner Walter Cotton, or Wally, as he was known, as was the son of John and Hilda (nee Perkins) Cotton and was born on 15th November 1921. His birth was registered in the Paddington district of London. His parents had married at All Saints Church, Notting Hill, London in June 1915 and by the time the 1921 Census was made they and their two older sons were living at 124 Great Western Road, Paddington. In all probability this was where they lived when Walter was born. When the 1939 Register was compiled he was living with his family at Poynter Street, Notting Hill / Hammersmith and was working as a provision shop assistant. I suspect that bombing in the Blitz saw his parents move out of London to Chelmsford, Essex. He was the youngest of of three brothers, all of whom served in the Second World War. One brother, George Arthur Cotton, served in the RAFVR as a wireless operator throughout the War, serving in Gibraltar and North Africa. Another brother, William (Bill) John Cotton, served in the Army.
Walter was twenty two years old when he was killed in the crash at Kepwick Bank in March 1944. He was buried Chelmsford's Writtle Road Cemetery.
Walter Cotton, photograph taken during his training (Photo - Mr J Cotton).
Sgt Walter Cotton's gravestone at Writtle Road Cemetery in Chelmsford, Essex.
My thanks to the Cotton family for contacting me regarding their Uncle Walter. Without Dr Andrew and Mr James Cotton's contact this page would not be as detailed.