Four: Lieutenant R. T. Cottam, Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps, who died of pneumonia at home on 29 September 1945

1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, all unnamed as issued, with named Army Council enclosure, extremely fine (4) £80-£120

Richard Townley Cottam, a native of Bury, Lancashire, ‘joined the Loyal Regiment as a Militiaman in 1939, and later volunteered for the Parachute Regiment, and took part in the preliminary landings in North Africa and Sicily. He then held the rank of Corporal, but was recalled to England where he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps, on 20 May 1944. During the intensive training period preparing for the Arnhem operation Lieutenant Cottam sustained severe concussion followed by diphtheria, which prevented him from going to Arnhem. He became Weapon’s Training Officer to the 2nd and 3rd Parachute Regiments, and following the cessation of hostilities he was granted a week’s leave. Shortly after returning to his unit he was removed to Shaftesbury Hospital, Dorset, where he died of pneumonia on 29 September 1945. He was 26 years of age. (newspaper cutting refers).

Unusually, Cottam’s body was cremated, and he is commemorated on the C.W.G.C. Memorial Wall at Rochdale Crematorium, Lancashire.

Sold together with the recipient’s lanyard; rank pip; various group photographs; a large quantity of letters of condolence to the recipient’s parents following his death; and copied research.