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Eric Roland Cotterill - Information

Eric was born in Paddington on the 23rd of January1892 to George Townsend and Dora Cotterill. He grew up in the Sydney suburbs attending Paddington Superior School and Fort St High School. His father, George, worked as an Inspector of Schools, and consequently the family moved about a lot. They resided in Bowral, Campbelltown and Castle Hill. As the war was raging, Eric was living in Young with his mother, working as a warehouseman. Shortly after war was declared, Eric travelled to Rosehill to enlist on the 21st of September 1914, aged 22. During training, Eric proved himself an efficient soldier, becoming a Sergeant with the 13th Battalion. He was then sent overseas on the HMAT Ulysses, which departed Melbourne on the 22nd of December 1914.

Eric arrived in Egypt for further training as plans for an attack on the Dardanelles were developed. In early April, the 13th was mustered and transported to Lemnos Island. On the afternoon of the 25th of April, they arrived ashore at what was to be known as, Anzac Cove. Eric and his mates rushed up the precarious ridges under heavy fire trying to gain a foothold. Unable to go any further, the men dug in ready for the onslaught of counter attacks. Eric proved to be a capable leader. On the 8th of May, he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. Sadly, the following day, he was killed in action. His mates laid him to rest at Pope'€™s Hill. In 1923, well after the war ended, Eric'€™s remains were reburied in Quinn'€™s Post Cemetery on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.