Sgt. Robert W. Coston . US Army Company A. 423rd Infantry Regiment from Mississippi Robert Coston served in Company A, 423rd Infantry, 106th Division. He was captured at the Battle of the Bulge, on 16th of December 1944, age 35.
As a Prisoner of War he was held at either Stalag 9A Ziegenhain, or Stalag 9b, Bad Orb, Germany.
Originally stationed at Camp Blanding, Florida, he was eepatriated on the 9th April 1945. He died in 1978.
|
Sgt. Robert Wheeler Coston . US Army 423rd Infantry Regiment 106th Infantry Division My father, Robert W. Coston Sr., was a buck sergeant in 1944. His company was captured at the Battle of the Bulge and his men marched into Germany. While housed in Stalag 9B, many starving soldiers contracted cholera or dysentery, my dad included. He described how the floorboards had gaps so wide that the waste from the ill men fell onto people he believed were Jewish or Jewish sympathizers. The intent of those in charge, he perceived, was to humiliate and degrade those poor people. My dad credited his survival to an African-American private who caught rats, cooked them, and fed him. I could never recall the name of this man. If anyone knows who this unselfish soldier was, I would like to know. This unnamed soldier was a big hero in my dad's eyes.
|
Sgt. Ernest George Cote . United States Army Air Forces 337th Bomb Squadron 96th Bomb Group from Holyoke, MA
|
F/Sgt. James Richard Cote . RCAF 424 Sqd. from Lampman, SK (d.2nd Oct 1943) Richie Cote enlisted with his cousins Leonard Cote (my father) and Hubert (Jim) Cote in October, 1941 in Regina, SK. He failed to return on operations with his entire crew on October 2nd, 1943. Their Wellington was lost in the Mediterranean and his name is inscribed on the Malta Memorial. Little else is currently known about this brave man's service.
|
Pfc. Joseph Alfred "Joe Pro" Cote . United States Army Parachute Infantry 82nd Airborne from Ayer, MA Pfc. Joseph Alfred Cote was captured in Italy , by the Germans on September 15, 1943, shortly after his first jump. From there he and many others were taken by train to Germany. The train ride was not pleasant they were all stuffed in cars like cattle. If you had to use the bathroom you went on the floor and then threw out a window if you could.
An initial intake was done at Stalag IA from there he was sent to Stalag IIB where he would spend the next 19 months for the most part assigned to a work detail. Typical work would be growing crops for the German Army.
After a while the Salvation Army notified Joe's parents that he was a German prisoner of war, at first he was reported as missing in action. His parents said at least he's alive and better to be a German POW than a Japanese POW.
Joe, like most, was malnourished and very thin. He had trench foot and at some point had intestinal worms. One time he did not move quickly enough and took a bayonet to the rear end. The guards would yell in German "move quickly swine hound move!" While Joe was a POW his brother Leon Cote was severely injured at The Battle of the Bulge and lost a leg. He later died in a hospital in England.
By 1945 Joe and other prisoners that he had contact with were pretty sure that the war was coming to an end. At this time they got the word: everybody out line up and march. So march they did for some time.
On April 13, 1945, which happened to be a Friday, Joe and one other prisoner rolled off the side of the road they were walking on and kept quiet and still. The group passed by without incident. Joe and his fellow escapee spent the next few days in the woods until they were able to make allied contact.
Joe always said that his lucky day was Friday the 13th.
Eventually he made it home to Ayer, MA arriving via train at Fort Devens with his father waiting there when he got off. This story was featured by the Lowell Sun newspaper at the time.
|
Sgt. Victor Honore Cote . United States Army Air Corps from Massachusetts
|
2nd Lt. John Brian Cother . Royal Artillery 72nd Field Regiment from Dorothy Road, Hove, Sussex (d.5th Aug 1941) Brian Cother was the middle child of three born to William and Kathleen Cother. He was the one who achieved much in his school days, gaining a scholarship to Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School, excelling in rifle shooting, and opera. He was the lead singer in many of the operas during his years at the school. He is mentioned on the memorial window in the great hall of the now 6th form school.
Brian as he was known to all, was a friendly person, who loved outdoor activities such as climbing, walking etc.
He joined up at the young age of 24 and I am still attempting to get more details of his life, apart from recently discovered that he travelled from the UK by sea to Egypt then to Cyprus. He was only on that island a short time before as he drove his motor cycle out of the main gate, he went head first into the front of a truck, entering the gates.
I am still researching his life to complete his autobiography. He is buried at the Nicosia War Cemetery, Cyprus.
After his death his parents grieved their loss for several years. I only knew Brian as a photo on our piano.
|
2nd Lt. John Brian Cother . Royal Artillery 72nd Field Regiment from Hove, Sussex (d.8th May 1941) I grew up knowing my uncle Brian as a photo on our piano in the lounge of our modest bungalow in Mile Oak, Portslade, Sussex. We never spoke about Brian, specifically to my grandparents. I was born in 1944, just three years after Brian was killed and my grandparents were still grieving, I guess.
Brian had been the favoured child. He had attended Brighton Hove and Sussex Grammar School on a scholarship and gained high marks in the OTC, as a rifleman. He is on the school honour roll which is located in the great hall on the stained glass window.
I have many photos of Brian during his childhood with his elder brother (my father) and younger sister. My grandparents passed away some years ago and are buried at Stoke Trister Church, Bayford, Somerset.
Brian is buried in the Nicosia Cemetery, Cyprus, located in "No-man's land" and therefore, unfortunately, the family cannot visit his grave and place flowers. My elderly aunt would love to place a cross on the grave on Remembrance Sunday but she cannot travel far nowadays.
I am compiling my uncle's biography, from his birth, to school days, to military days... and death, aged 25 years.
|
2Lt. Patrick Corfe Cother DSC.. Royal Naval Reserve HMS Fox from Hove After suffering a nervous breakdown, when medically fit, Paddy Cother was returned to service in HMS Fox, Shetland. He may have been on administrative duties while there until war's end when he was transferred to HMS Victory until discharged in 1946.
|
George Cott . British Army Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment from Halifax My father George Cott joined the Duke of Wellington Regiment as part of what he called the Militia.
As a child I was fascinated looking at his photos of his army pals and places they visited like the Holy Land and Italy. At the time I had no idea what he had been through. Even when I grew up he would never talk about the war. I only know that he was one of the last to leave Dunkirk and he had thought he would never get away. He didn't even want me to visit France when I was planning a holiday there.
This is a long shot, but I wonder if he was the Little George that Monica remembers. He used to receive Christmas cards from an old army pal signed Big George who lived in the London area after the war.
He returned safely from the war and married my mum Mary. They lived very happily until sadly died very suddenly from a brain tumor in 1982.
He is still missed every day. Such a lovely man. One of the thousands who gave so much so we can live happily today. Thankyou.
|
Sgt Cleveland Cottam. . 77 sqd (d.9th Oct 1940)
|
Caroline Edith Cottenham . Womens Land Army from Islington, North London My mother has just been to the City all London for the 11th Feb 2009 reunion but sadly there was no one there she actually knew while in the land army. If you or your mother was billeted in Stone House, Thornby ,Northampton and can remember, Carol Cottenham from Islington, North London we would love to hear from you. My mum worked near Thornby at Callender farm and trained with Joyce and Marjerie, she's pretty certain that Joyce married a Canadian soldier and went to live in Canada after the war ended. Both Joyce and Marjerie came from the Northampton area before joining the WLA.
|
L/Cpl. Edward Patrick Pierce Cotter . British Army 1st Btn. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (d.4th July 1942)
|
Sgt George William Cotter . Army 54th Rgt Royal Signals I am researching my late fathers time in the Royal Signals from May 1942 to March 1947. 54th Regiment. I have photos of him in Egypt I have no other info other than that. If anyone has any information regarding this time or can point me in any direction to find out more it would be much appreciated. Many thanks in anticipation.
|
1st Lt. John A. Cotter . USAAF 357 Fighter Squadron from Kansas City, MO, USA Jack Cotter was shot down over Germany about 3 Aug 1944 while strafing a train and sent to Stalag Luft III for the duration.
|
W Cotter . British Army W Cotter served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
CPO William Noel Cotter . Royal Navy H.M.S. Fulmar from Cork (d.15th December 1946) Chief Petty Officer Writer Cotter was the Son of William and Margaret Cotter, of Cork.
He was 27 when he died and is buried in the Dunbulloge Catholic Cemetery, Carrignavar, Co. Cork, Ireland.
|
Pte William Cotter . British Army 12th Btn Royal Lancers from Cardiff
|
GA Cotterell . British Army Border Regiment GA Cotterell served with the Border Regiment British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
GT Cotterell . British Army GT Cotterell served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
JE Cotterell . British Army JE Cotterell served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
Pte. William Arthur Cotterell . British Army 1st Btn. Kings Own Scottish Borderers from Berkshire Private William Cottrell is believed to have served with 1st Kings Own Scottish Borderers in 3rd Division and 15th Scottish Division with 6th Battalion.
|
A Cotterill . British Army 59th Regiment Reconnaissance Corps A Cotterill served with the 59th Regiment Reconnaissance Corps British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
WO2 Albert John Cotterill . British Army North Staffordshire Regiment from Tamworth. Staffs My Dad, Jack Cotterill joined Nth Staffs in 1933 and was posted to Palestine in 1936. In 1939 he was shipped off to France and was evacuated from Dunkirk with 300,000 of his mates.
In due time he served in North Africa and volunteered to be trained as a commando. After serving in 6th Commando and spending time with the Long Range Desert Group,he was sent to Italy where he was captured by the Italians. When Italy surrendered, he was handed over to the Germans and sent off to Germany to finish the war in a POW camp. He was repatriated by the Soviets and sent back to the UK. In 1946 he was sent to Trieste (Betfor) where he met my mother,a local girl. They were married in 1947. I was born in the British Military Hospital and we stayed in Trieste until 1954 when the Regiment was sent back to England. In 1955, Dad left the Army and we emigrated to Australia. Dad went through WW2 uninjured, survived the commandoes and spent two years in a POW camp. In 1973, aged 57,he died of cancer. Mum passed away last Xmas.
Dad did not talk about the war that much except to say that his most fondest memory was not the food or the thought of someone shooting at you or the wonderful RSM but the bond he had with his mates (even the RSM). I joined the navy in 1966 and two years later,I was in Vietnam. It was then I understood what he meant.
|
H Cotterill . British Army H Cotterill served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
BQMS. Harry Cotterill . British Army 3rd Bty. 6th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery from Derbyshire (d.8th Sep 1945)
|
Jack Cotterill . Royal Navy HMS Royal Arthur from Ashington, Northumberland (d.2nd March 1942) My Uncle Jack Cotterill was amongst the crew training at HMS Royal Arthur. I hope this image will be interesting for anyone that had a family member in Class 33.
|
Pte. James Patrick Cotterill . British Army 2nd Btn. Northamptonshire Regiment from Birmingham (d.23rd May 1940)
|
JG Cotterill . British Army JG Cotterill served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
JS Cotterill . British Army JS Cotterill served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: The Wartime Memories Project is no longer in contact with Dan , his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
|
|
