Arthur Cotterill was born in Ryhall, Rutland in 1891, the only child of John Henry Cotterill & Mary Ann (nee Arden). His father was a farm labourer and Arthur followed suit. He married Mary Stafford, at Ryhall Parish Church on 13 Apr 1914.
Arthur enlisted in 25th (Works) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry in Jun 1916 (age 25) and was called up that October. He joined the DLI but was then transferred to the Labour Corps. His medical category was B II (changed to CII in 1917 then B I in 1918) and he was hospitalised with bronchitis (Apr 1917) and catarrh/influenza (29 Apr-6 May 1918).
In 1916 his wife Mary was living in Brandon. Their son John Henry was born in Newark area 19 Mar 1917. When he was discharged from the Army in Nov 1919 (aged 28) his address was 4 Mount Square, Appleton Gate, Newark. Arthur died in 1948 in the Mansfield area.