The name on the memorial is Tom Cotterill, but I believe he was George Thomas Cotterill.

George Thomas Cotterill  made his first appearance on a census in 1901. He was living with his family at Stringes Lane, Willenhall, Staffordshire. Head of the household was George Millward a 64 year old widower who was a Carter in the Iron Foundry.  Living with George Millward  was his son Fred 18, a Brass Caster.  Also in the household was his daughter Florence 23 and her husband Thomas Cotterill 26 , a Sheet iron Roller. Their children were George T who was 2 and Florence M who was nearly 5 months old.

The 1911 census shows us the Cotterill family had moved to Deeside and were living at  6, Butler Street, Shotton.   Head of the household was Thomas, 34 an Ironworker in the Steelworks. His wife of 12 years,  Florence was 33. She had borne 6 children, all of whom were still living. They were listed as  George Thomas 12,  Florence Maud, 10,  Frederick John, 7, William 6, Ethel, 4 and  Frank, 2. There was a lodger in the household.

The UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk   confirms the above  regimental information and adds that he enlisted in Shotton. His Medal Card also on ‘ancestry’ confirms regimental information and adds his medal details.

There is an Flintshire WW1 index card for George Thomas Cotterill (Sealand F 3) at The County Record Office in Hawarden. It tells us that his Army Service was 1 year 6 months. He was 19 years old when he died.  The card was signed 24th September 1919 by Thomas Cotterill  (His father).

He is also remembered on the Memorial Plaque in St. Andrew’s Church, Garden City.