Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles and Eliza Cotton, and the husband of Beatrice Fanny Cotton. The 1891 census records, Charles Cotton, married and head of the family, a General Labourer, born 1845 in Church Lawford, Warwickshire, and his wife Eliza, born 1846 in Leachbrook, Warwks. The children were, George, a Goods Porter, born 1870 in Warwick, Emma, a Stay Maker, born 1873 in Brinklow, Warwks., Joseph, a General Labourer, born 1875 in Alrewas Hays, Staffordshire, Ellen, a Stay Maker, born 1877 in Brinklow, Warwks., Charles, a Schoolboy, born 1878 in Lowe, Warwks., William, a Schoolboy, born 1883 in Hartshill, Warwks., Alice, a Schoolgirl, born 1884 in Market Harborough, Leics. and Florence B., born 1891 in Market Harborough, Leics. The family were residing at Cross Street, Little Bowden, Northants. The 1901 census records, Charles Cotton, married and head of the family, and his wife Eliza, born 1845 in Tachbrook, Warwks. The children were, Charles, a Plasterer, born 1879 in Sowe, Warwks., William, a Painter and Paper Hanger, born 1882, Alice, a Breaker off Type Foundry and Florence, born in Little Bowden, Northamptonshire. The family were residing at 19, Gladstone Street, Little Bowden, Northants. The 1911 census records, William Cotton, married 4 years and head of the family, an Assurance Agent, born 1881, and his wife Beatrice F., a Grocer and Confectioner, born 1883 in Rothwell, Northants. The family were residing at 15, Heygate Street, Market Harborough, Leics.