memorabilia jeff cotton
TRANSCRIPT
World War Models
Jeff Cotton
About the Modeller.
Jeff Cotton is an Anglican
minister, who began
creating these dioramas
after his wife suggested
he get a hobby. Some of
the soldiers were from his childhood and from there it
has grown into rather a large collection of soldiers
and buildings which he has painted and created, along
with a collection of memorabilia. Jeff’s grandfather
William Cotton served in WWI and was wounded in
August 1918 at Bapaume, France. His father Jack
Cotton also served in WW2, in Italy and the Pacific. Jeff
grew up hearing the stories that they both told about
their experiences. Jeff hopes that through these
models we will keep their memories alive and all
remember the sacrifices that were made for our
freedom. They are not exact replicas. These models
are in memory, not for perfection. He hopes that you
will enjoy the exhibition. Feel free to ask questions or
share your families stories.
Contact Jeff Cotton 027 364 7279
WWI
William Cotton
1895-1991
WW2 Jack Cotton
1923 - 2003
Memorabilia
From left to right 19-14-15 Mons Star, Service Medal, Victory Medal, Service & Con-duct Victory Medal, Service Medal awarded to William Cotton. Bottom row; German
uniform button, German Iron Cross and German Belt buckle “Gott mit Uns” God with us.
Left to right;
Pacific Star, NZ
War Service
Medal 1939-45,
NZ Service
Medal 1946-49.
(Occupied Japan) USA Marines Badge, Japanese Army
Medal, Japanese Collar Insignia.
Left to right NZ lemon Squeezer Hat, WWII American
Helmet, WWI English Helmet, WWII German Helmet.
WWI exploded gas cannis-
ter and gas mask.
ANZAC DAY The World Wars
in Miniature Displays & Memorabilia
25th April
11am-3pm Free Entry
All Souls Anglican Church 30 Church Lane
Merivale
coast, and the Orne River is a well-known feature of the city. Caen and the area south are relatively flat. Allied forces wanted to take the area quickly and to be able to base aircraft in France. British and American forces fought close-ly to each other; Caen was the first notable city to be taken by the allies after D- Day. It took six weeks and 3 attempts for the Allies to take Caen, and a further 10 Months to reach Berlin and win the war. About 15,000 civilians lost their lives at Caen.
WWI 1914- 1918. 1/72 scale
The Battle of Bapaume (France) was fought shortly after the beginning of the Allied 100-day push. Which ended the 1st World War. The battle took place from 21 Aug- 3 Sept 1918. Bapaume itself is
a small town in the North of France linked to Albert and Arras by rail. It had been the focus of the British forces on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916 but failed to reach it. The NZ division fought alongside the British, and on 27 Aug1918 NZ casualties were 500 killed and wound-ed in just one day. The land surrounding Bapaume is flat which made it easier to move both soldiers and machinery. On September 3rd after a German counterattack the Allies were able to secure the town, before continuing east. An Armistice was signed on 11-11-18 bringing the First World War to an end. There is very little trace of the Battle in the town today.
WW2 Europe. 1/32 Scale
The Solomon Islands campaign was a major campaign of the Pacific war in WW2. It began with the Japanese
landings, April 1942, the Japanese invaded and occupied the area. The Japanese quickly captured both the Solomon’s and New Guinea. The Objective of the operation for the Japanese was to extend their southern perimeter and to establish bases to enable future advances in the Pacific area and cutting Australia and NZ off from the Americans. Both NZ and Aus-tralia served in the Solomon Islands, and if the Solomon’s had been lost, so could have these two countries.
WW2 North Africa. 1/32 scale Battle of El Alamein. (23 Oct- 11 Nov1942) Italian forces went into Nth Africa in May 1940, due to Italy wanting to extend their empire. The
Italians made some progress but before long were in trouble against a minority British Army. German forces came to the Italian aid and were soon in control of the Nth African war, under General field Marshall Erwin Rommel. El Alamein was the turning point of the Nth African war. German/ Italian supply lines had become thin, (Hitler was more interested in the eastern front as he never intended to go to North Africa) and after ten days of intense fighting the Allies broke through German/Italian lines.
By June 1943 the Nth African campaign was over, and so was the German and Italian alliance, in October 1943 Italy declared war on Germany while the Germans occupied Italy. El Alamein itself was known for its railway station which still stands today but hardly ever used. The Battle it’s self never reached El Alamein.
WW2 The Pacific. 1/32 Scale
The Battle of Caen, France( June - Aug 1944) followed the Allied D-Day landings on 6 June. Caen is about 14km from the