Name
Thomas Frederick Cotton
23 Nov 1866
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/09/1914
48
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Chief Engine Room Artificer 1st Class
149729
Royal Navy
H.M.S. "Aboukir."
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
3
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Potters Bar, Little Heath & Bentley Heath Memorial, Potters Bar, All Souls Chapel Book of Remembrance, Potters Bar, Royal Naval Memorial Portsmouth
Pre War
Thomas Frederick was born in on 23 Nov 1866 (baptised 10 Feb 1867 at St John’s, Potters Bar) to Frederick Cotton, carpenter, and Harriet Clare (nee Bourne).
On the 1881 Census the family of parent and Thomas were living at Southgate Road, Little Heath. There was also a lodger Charles W Houlston, a curate. Thomas enlisted in the Royal Navy at some time but No Service record was found.
On the 1891 Census Thomas was recorded aboard HMS Mistletoe in the Channel Islands, He was an engine Room Artificer.
Thomas married Elsie Durell on 7 Apr 1896 at St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands.
On the 1911 Census Thomas and Elsie were living at 55 Heidelberg Road, Southsea,
Wartime Service
Thomas was activated from Reserve as Chief Engine Room Artificer 149729 at the Outbreak of the Great War in Aug 1914. He was allocated to HMS Aboukir as were many reservists.
Aboukir was part of the Reserve Fleet and although built in 1900 had been outdated being coal fired and having reciprocating engines instead of oil fuel and steam turbines. Aboukir took a minor role in the Battle of the Heligoland Bight (28 Aug 1914) and on 22 Sep 1914 was patrolling in company with other antiquated cruisers of 7th Cruiser Squadron (Cressy and Hogue) when German submarine U9 torpedoed Aboukir in the Engine Room. Although the other ships stopped for rescue attempts and in subsequent manoeuvring U9 managed to torpedo Both Hogue and Cressy within a very short period.
Thomas was one of over 500 men from Abukir to die that day. His remains have not been recovered and he is remembered on Royal Naval Memorial Portsmouth.
Additional Information
Probate of £224 9s 9d was paid to his widow Elsie, together with a weekly pension of 14s. Elsie later married James Potter on 21 Oct 1915 and receied a grant of £72 15s.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
