Name: |
COTTAM |
Given Name: |
WILLIAM JOHN |
Initials: |
W J |
Service No: |
32545V |
Rank: |
CorporalOther Casualties of this Rank |
Regiment: |
Witwatersrand Rifles/Regiment de la Rey, S.A. Forces |
Date of Death: |
1945-04-04Other Casualties on this
Date |
Date of Birth: |
1920-01-04 |
Age: |
25 |
Cause of Death: |
Died in battle accident, Motor Cycle Accident near Puzzola, Italy |
Decorations: |
Bronze Star (USA) |
Citations: |
LG Sup 14 May 1948 pg. 2920 - "No. 32545V Cottam, W.J., Intelligence/Liaison N.C.O. T/Cpl SAAC (I) Witwatersrand Rifles/ Regiment De La Rey. For meritorious achievement in action during the night 29/30 Aug 44 near Empoli and on the 15 Oct 44 near Quaderna, Italy. On the night 29/30 Aug 44 Cpl Cottam led a patrol of three men to the banks of the River Arno and after placing his three men to give covering fire, set out alone, armed with a T.S.M.G. and grenades, to cross the river. Harassing cross fire from enemy automatics raked the water but Cpl Cottam slipped across the exposed bank and by alternately wading thigh deep and floating worked his way to the North bank. He negotiated the steep bank and made his way inland towards a large factory building from which he heard enemy voices as he drew near. He crept up to the window, stood up and sprayed the inside of the room with his Tommy gun and then hurled two grenades inside. Pandemonium broke loose and Cpl Cottam slipped away. All the spandaus cover the river were firing when he tried to regain the South bank and he had to take cover from shrapnel from mortar bombs pounding the river bed. Eventually with the assistance of covering fire from his men on the South bank he was able to work his way across the river bringing back vital information with him and having inflicted casualties on the enemy in his daring raid. On the 15 Oct 44 Cpl Cottam commanded a daylight recce patrol of three men whose task was to investigate the houses at Quaderna on the East bank of the river Reno. He worked his patrol to their first objective and here surprised and silently captured a German sentry. Leaving one man to guard the prisoner Cpl Cottam, fully conscious of the presence of the enemy carefully stalked his second objective. Here they heard voices and immediately attacked with tommy guns and grenades. After a sharp fight the enemy surrendered and Cpl Cottam with his two men had captured a further four Germans including a serjeant wearing the Iron Cross 1st Class. Cpl Cottam returned with very valuable information and five prisoners. In a subsequent action while on a recce with his Coy Comd Cpl Cottam was severely wounded. He entered service from Johannesburg, Transvaal." |
Additional
Information: |
Son of William Charles and Janet Adelaine Cottam, of Sterkfontein Road, Krugersdorp. Born Krugersdorp, Transvaal. A medical student |
This information was last verified for accuracy: 2026-10-26
