COTTON, Edward

COTTON, Edward – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 4470
RANK : Corporal
UNIT : Anzac Army Provost Corps
ENLISTMENT DATE : 8/10/1915
AGE : 33
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Toowoomba, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : London, England
RELIGION : Church of England
OCCUPATION : Railway Lengthsman
DATE OF DEATH : 30/10/1936
PLACE OF BURIAL : Mt Thompson, Queensland

MEMORIALS : Warwick & District Railway Honour Roll 1914-1918, Stanthorpe Soldiers Memorial WWI Honour Boards, Queensland Railways Toowoomba Employees Roll of Honour,

View Veteran’s Service File : COTTON, Edward

NOTES :

COTTON, Edward (Ted), was born in London UK and moved to Australia around the turn of the century. At the time of his enlistment in 1915, at the age of 33 years, he nominated his sister Emily Cotton of London as his next of kin.

Ted owned property at Rhubarb Flats QLD and he worked as a lenthsman for the railway. It was reported he was the first person in the district to volunteer for WWI service. In late November 1917, Rhubarb Flats was renamed in honour of Ted Cotton and became Cotton Vale which was later changed to Cottonvale. Read the newspaper article here.

After his discharge in 1919, Ted return to Cottonvale and recommenced his employment with the railway. On 21st December 1921 he married Mary Ann Yapp. They had one daughter, Mavis. His wife’s brother, Thomas Yapp 3259, was a member of the 25th Battalion and he was killed in action in 1918. Thomas had also worked for the railway as a porter prior to his enlistment.

Ted’s sister-in-law Lily Yapp, married John (Jock) Morrison Middleton 775, who built and operated the Cottonvale Store.

In 1922 Ted proposed building a School of Arts Hall in the town. In order for this to come about, the district held various working bees, sports days and euchre evenings. There was even a dance held in Mrs Shatt’s shed. The hall opened in 1925 and was well run by the community members.

Ted Cotton resigned from the railway on 6th March 1920. He passed away at the age of 54 and is buried at Mt Thompson, Brisbane.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.