COTTERILL, William

William Cotterill was the son of Mr and Mrs Cotterill of 209 Pedmore Road, Woodside, and was an early volunteer for the Worcesters. He went to the 2nd Battalion which had fought on the Western Front since the Battle of Mons in August 1914. They had lost many casualties during the winter in Artois and were reinforced in the Spring of 1915 to undertake a major attack on the German trenches at the village of Festubert on the 16th May. It was a night attack requiring precision but the weather was wet and conditions were difficult. At 11.15 the Worcesters left their trenches but German flares made them obvious targets. The losses were heavy and included Private William Cotterill. He was 23 years of age and is commemorated on the Le Touret, Dudley and Woodside Memorials.