Identified on the reverse side as "John Cotton. When young soldier.", this cabinet photograph appears to depict No. 2842 Private George Cotton of the 1st Battalion, the Northamptonshire Regiment.
George Cotton attested with the Nothamptonshire Regiment on 16 September 1890 at Northamton. Two months shy of this nineteenth birthday, he stated that he was the son of Charles Cotton of Billing, Northamptonshire.
Having attested with the 1st Battalion, Cotton was transferred to the regiment's 3rd battalion on 16 September 1892, 1892. Returning to the 1st battalion on 14 November 1893, he was appointed lance corporal on 7 September 1895. For reasons known only to him, Cotton reverted to private at his own request on 10 January 1896. He was granted good conduct pay on 16 September 1896.
Cotton transferred to the Army Reserve on 25 January 1898.
Cotton's overseas service included 332 days in the Straights Settlements and five years, 69 days in India.
Cotton was recalled to active duty with the 2/Northamptonshire Reh on 9 October 1899 for service in South Africa during the Anglo-Boer War. He deployed to South Africa on 21 October 1899. In South Africa Cotton would see considerable action and earned the "Belfast", "Modder River", "Orange Free State" and "Transvaal" clasps for his Queen's South Africa Medal. He was additionally entitled to the King's South Africa Medal with its two usual (South Africa 1901" and "South Africa - 1902" clasps.
George Cotton served 2 years 333 days in South Africa and took his final discharge on 15 September 1902.
No further information regarding Cotton has come to light.
Cabinet Photograph
Madam E. Gel Tufo & Co - Photographer
Bangalore and Madras, British India
c. 1895