The Great War P.O.W. group of four medals to Private Lawrence Cotter

The Great War P.O.W. group of four medals to Private Lawrence Cotter, Royal Munster Fusiliers: Queen's South Africa, 2nd reverse, 4 clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6526 PTE L. COTTER Medals. RL: MUNSTER FUS.); 1914 Star, clasp missing but entitlement to it confirmed (6526 PTE. L. COTTER. R. MUNS. FUS.); British War and Victory (6526 PTE. L. COTTER. R. MUN. FUS.); mounted for wearing, good very fine.

Entered France 13th August 1914 and recorded as having been made a Prisoner of War and interned at Giessen P.O.W. camp. During the retreat from Mons the under-strength 2nd Battalion of Royal Munster Fusiliers fought a heroic rearguard action centred upon the village of Etreux, 27th August 1914. Heavily outnumbered, their obstinate resistance (which included a bayonet charge by a small group of men) bought time for the successful withdrawal of the British 1 Corps. Surrounded and with their ammunition all but exhausted, approximately 260 officers and men had no recourse but to surrender at 9.12pm, and more were captured in the aftermath.

References: A private letter of Captain Gower, preserved with the battalion diary; The Royal Munster Fusiliers Association website; Edward Spears 'Liason 1914'.