Personal information
Son of James Allen Cottew and Mary Brown, of South Shields; husband of Beatrice Maud Brown, of South Shields. He was in charge of one of the lifeboats after the sinking of Sithonia and made landfall after 19 days at Cape Timiris. The survivors were interned by the Vichy French authorities at Sébikotane near Dakar and eventually repatriated to the UK in January 1943.
Award Citation as published in London Gazette on 8 June 1943:
After his ship had been torpedoed and sunk, the Master took charge of one of the boats containing 23 survivors and, after a voyage of 19 days, brought it to land. In spite of many dangers and difficulties only one man died during the voyage. It was due to the courage, leadership and skill of Captain Brown that the remaining occupants of this boat were brought to safety. He set a fine example to all those with him.
